Dec 23rd, 2008 · There is an atmosphere of intrigue as truffle sellers line up carrying les truffes noires, the famous black truffle of the Perigord region of France, in their baskets. They will fetch anywhere from $250 to $400 a pound, depending on their quality.
Dec 18th, 2008 · Taking its name from the mountainous region of northwestern Mexico, Son de Madera specializes in Son Jarocho, a musical style based on the traditions of Veracruz, Mexico. The band strives to incorporate new sounds into this traditional style to create a unique cultural and musical experience, and it performs original arrangements of four traditional Son Jarocho songs here for Mountain Stage.
Dec 17th, 2008 · Zimbabwe is suffering from a humanitarian crisis. The political unrest in the region has the economy in shambles. Millions of people are affected by post-election violence, diseases and malnutrition. U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, explains the challenges facing the African nation and how he would like regional leaders to help defuse the political standoff.
Dec 10th, 2008 · President Bush is calling for Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to step down amid a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, including a massive cholera outbreak. Jendayi Frazer, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, offers more on this situation.
Dec 6th, 2008 · The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved a last-minute rule change to allow mining within 100 feet of rivers and streams. One environmentalist says it will devastate the region, while mining proponents say the industry is too important to the state to consider alternatives.
Dec 5th, 2008 · There is cautious hope in the Middle East that the Obama administration will rejuvenate efforts toward a long-elusive peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians. Tony Blair, special envoy to the region, says he believes Obama will bring progress.
Dec 2nd, 2008 · Days of fighting between Muslims and Christians in the Nigerian city of Jos have left an estimated 400 people dead. Constance Okokwu, Washington bureau chief for the Nigerian newspaper This Day, says the religious strife dates back to the creation of the West African country. Okokwu joins Roxanne Lawson, the Director of Africa Policy for the Washington based group, TransAfrica, to discuss the roots of the violence and what it means for Nigeria and the region.
Nov 28th, 2008 · President-elect Barack Obama has all but named Sen. Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State. But So what's the world saying about this choice? We look at the response to Obama's choice in three regions. First, NPR's Alex Cohen talks to David Rennie of The Economist magazine, Rami Khouri, editor of The Daily Star in Beirut and Mark Magnier, Beijing correspondent for The Los Angeles Times.