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Barack Obama is wrapping up perhaps the most active week of his presidency thus far. Just days ago he signed into law the contentious $787 billion economic stimulus package, aimed at fixing the nation's deep financial woes. The act was followed by the unveiling of a $75 billion plan to curb growing home foreclosures.

Police in India have been conducting tests on two men accused in one of the most gruesome cases of serial rape and child murder in the country's history. The tests include administering so-called "narco-analysis" drugs — or, as some put it, "truth serum."

The new interim Iraqi Prime Minister announces the formation of a new security force to try to curb ongoing insurgent violence. But he did so as Islamic militants began attacking non-Islamic businesses such as liquor stores in the capital, a sign the struggle has become one for the very soul of the city. NPR's Philip Reeves reports.

Many millions of Hindus are gathered along the shores of their holiest river, the Ganges, in one of the world's largest religious gatherings, the Kumbh Mela. Over a few weeks, up to 70 million Hindus swim in the chilly waters — many of them on what India's astrologers deem to be "auspicious" bathing days.

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, far more than expected. It's good news for people looking for work, but the strong labor market could complicate the Fed's fight against inflation.

Pakistan's constitution has been suspended and its independent news media is under blackout orders after the country's leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, declared emergency rule. Musharraf made the announcement just before Pakistan's Supreme Court was to rule on his future as president.

Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf faces many challenges in his bid to retain power, but the country's Supreme Court has yet to decide if it's legal for him run for a new term. The court seems to have become genuinely independent — as, possibly, has another institution, the Pakistani media.

Al-Qaida's publicity arm issues an audiotape of Osama bin Laden calling on Pakistanis to wage a holy war against their military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan's army suffers daily attacks in the tribal borderlands where support for al-Qaida and the Taliban has been hardening.

Benazir Bhutto's 19-year-old son Bilawal Zardari on Sunday was named chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, with his father, Asif, as co-chairman. Party leaders meeting in Bhutto's ancestral home also decided to participate in the Jan. 8 elections, but the vote is expected to be postponed.

Students joined the campaign against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday at the University of Punjab in Lahore, where cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was taken into custody. Pakistan's opposition parties are trying to forge a united front, but such political alliances are not easy.