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Shirin Ebadi becomes the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Known for her work protecting the rights of women and children, Ebadi was Iran's first female judge. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Ebadi.

Members of Iraq's American-appointed governing council are unhappy about the way the United States is awarding contracts for reconstruction. They say the process excludes potential Iraqi contractors, who would charge much less for the work, and favors huge American companies and their foreign sub-contractors. And council members say the process is riddled with bribery and kickbacks. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

U.S. military officials warn that armed resistance in Iraq is growing more sophisticated. A rare interview with two men purported to be leaders in the insurgency movement supports that idea. The men promise tactics ranging from more ambushes to kidnapping U.S. soldiers. NPR's Michele Norris talks with Los Angeles Times Baghdad bureau chief John Daniszewski.

Fewer than 1 in 5 of eligible voters turn out for a referendum that asked whether President Andrés Manuel López Obrador should end his six-year term barely midway through its term.

California governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger says one of his priorities is to tackle the state's budget deficit. He says he will have the state's financial records audited. NPR's John McChesney reports.

A new poll for NPR shows that among likely voters, a majority believe the country is on the wrong track. Americans also say they are less confident in President Bush's job performance. Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg and Republican pollster Bill McInturff asked people for their views of President Bush, the war in Iraq and the state of the country. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

The White House goes on the offensive to sell its plan to rebuild Iraq. In speeches given within days of one another, President Bush, Vice President Cheney and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice all emphasized the necessity of deposing Saddam Hussein and the progress being made in postwar Iraq. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has challenged Shiites of the governing council to join in revolt against U.S. forces. He has proclaimed his own government in Iraq, and his armed militia continues to occupy the municipal building in the Baghdad slum named for his father. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Emmylou Harris describes her music and talks about how she found her way into the business. Her new CD is called Stumble Into Grace.

The First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, in Southern California, holds a memorial service for 39 of their comrades-in-arms killed in Iraq. Hear reporter Russell Lewis of member station KPBS.