Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with The World's book critic, Christopher Merrill, about the latest novel from South African writer, Andre Brink.

Correspondent Rose Skelton tells us about a Mauritanian singer who has just been elected to the senate in that African nation. Before her election, Malouma wrote songs that railed against government abuses and social taboos.

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Dr. Murhaf Jouejati, a professor at the National Defense University in Washington, about the significance of today's meeting between US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the foreign minister of Syria. Discussions about Iraq may be helping to improve relations between Washington and Damascus.

The US military says it killed a leading Al Qaeda member in Iraq, one who was responsible for recruiting suicide bombers and raising money in Syria. The World's Matthew Bell has the story.

The World's Jeb Sharp reports on the controversy surrounding the conviction of a well known journalist and human rights activist in the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan. The woman was sentenced to 7 years in prison, but critics say her conviction was part of a government crackdown on civil society.

A new exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York highlights simple technology and design concepts that can be used to improve the lives of poor people in the developing world. The exhibit is called "Design for the Other Ninety Percent." Host Marco Werman speaks with exhibit curator Cynthia Smith and with one of the designers involved, Tim Prestero.

Reporter Matt Gutman reports from Tel Aviv on the political woes of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Thousands of demonstrators are calling for his resignation after a government report accused Olmert of "severe failures" in his handling of Israel's war with Hezbollah last summer.

Correspondent Mary Stucky tells the story of maca. That's the name of a Peruvian root used as a libido-enhancer. Peruvian Indians discovered maca. But a US company analyzed and patented its active ingredient. Maca-based products could mean big bucks for the patent owners. But back in Peru, many wonder whether they'll see any of the profits.

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with State of Virginia spokesperson, Tamra Talmadge-Anderson, about Queen Elizabeth's visit to her state today. Queen Elizabeth is here to mark the 400th anniversary of Jamestown -- the first permanent English settlement in America.