Reporter Aaron Schachter returns to Kabul and finds a city in transition.

Aaron Schachter's 2006 reports from Afghanistan

Taliban insurgency

President Obama spoke with the BBC's Justin Webb ahead of his visit to the Middle East later this week. Among the issues they discussed was the U.S. approach to Iran.

The World's Katy Clark reports on President Obama's chances of making progress when it comes to the Middle East Peace process.

Today on The World: A look at the challenges facing President Obama in the Middle East as he prepares to deliver his speech reaching out to the Muslim world; North Korea prepares to try two American journalists in detention there; And a visit to Bohemia National Hall in New York...a home away from home for a generation of Czech ex-pats.

For today's Global Hit, The World's Alex Gallafent tells us about a young pianist from China, named Lang Lang.

The answer to today's Geo Quiz is Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Some of the first photographs of an interesting new cloud formation, dubbed as Asperatus clouds, were submitted to the Cloud Appreciation Society from amateur sky gazers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Anchor Lisa Mullins gets details from the founder of the UK-based Cloud Appreciation Society, Gavin Pretor-Pinney.

Our daily geography puzzler.

The ancient teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius are serving as the modern-day inspiration for England's schools minister, Jim Knight. He wants to import Confucian-style teaching methods to classrooms across the country. The World's Laura Lynch has this report.

A new report from Physicians for Human Rights documents the impact of rape and sexual violence on Darfuri women refugees living in Chad. Many women live with the trauma of attacks that happened when they first fled Darfur. But those are compounded by the ongoing daily threat of rape in and around the camps where they now live in Chad. The World's Jeb Sharp speaks with two of the doctors who published the report.

Iran's President Ahmadinejad has a blog, a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and YouTube videos. Iran's other presidential candidates are also on the web. As election day grows near, they're hoping to attract votes from Iran's many Internet users. Reporter Cyrus Farivar takes us on-line to follow the Iranian election.