Matt Guttman reports on a new Palestinian plan to upgrade security in the West Bank. The idea is to try and clamp down on militants, and show the world that the Palestinian Authority can keep the peace. But on West Bank streets, Palestinians feel far from secure.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has written a new book...SEVEN books actually...all written by hand. Anchor Marco Werman explains.

A new law in effect in China today requires officials there to provide accurate and timely information about public emergencies. Up to now, Chinese officials often kept important public safety information under wraps for fear of losing their jobs. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World's Mary Kay Magistad about the new law.

The World's Aaron Schachter reports that the price for a barrel of crude oil topped 96 dollars in some markets today. That poses the question: can the global economy survive 100-dollars-a-barrel for oil?

The World's Quil Lawrence reports that Iraqi oil production remains mired in a confusing legal tangle. The central government in Baghdad is hoping to pass a new law that would open the way for new oil production involving international companies. But the regional government in Iraq's northern Kurdish region didn't wait for that. It signed its own deals with companies and started production. It says it has the right to do so under Iraq's constitution.

Norwegian music journalist Lars Nedland explains how "folk metal" music was born in Scandinavia. Yes, it's a combination of heavy metal and folk, and it started when Scandinavian heavy metal musicians took an interest in their cultural past.

For today's Geo Quiz we were looking for the Australian state where millions of wild pigs are posing a big problem for residents right now. The answer is Queensland. The BBC's Phil Mercer explains why the pigs are creating environmental havoc.

Our Geo Quiz today takes us to Australia's Gold Coast.

Poor fishermen along Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast are finding new wealth in the sea. They call it "white lobster." But it's really cocaine dumped overboard by passing drug smugglers. Anchor Aaron Schachter finds out more from photo-journalist Susan Schulman, who traveled to the Mosquito Coast to investigate.

photo: Susan Schulman