Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Businessweek reporter Jack Ewing about coltan. The metallic ore is used in cell phones and electronics. Eastern congo is a rich source of coltan and some say the West's demand for it is fuelling the conflict there.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a country again in turmoil. The latest violence involves a rebel general named Laurent Nkunda. Nkunda's managed to take over large swathes of eastern Congo with a small band of well-trained soldiers. Reporter Michael Kavanagh takes a look at the renegade general.

War in Congo

Most of the economic news these days is unremittingly bad. But at least oil and gas prices are coming down. But some experts note that that's not necessarily such a good sign. The World's Matthew Bell reports.

Global financial crisis

Today on The World: A look at the renegade general who's driving the renewed violence in eastern Congo; Why many Ukrainians are disappointed by democracy and the Orange Revolution; And why President-elect Obama is already under pressure to tackle climate change.

Anchor Lisa Mullins tells us about a new website designed to showcase European culture.

Lisa Mullins speaks to violinist Gilles Apap and conductor Benjamin Zander about improvising a well-known Mozart concerto.

Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more about a 16-year-old girl who's about to become Japan's first female professional baseball player. She was drafted by a team from Kobe -- which is the answer to our quiz today.

Our daily geography quiz. We're looking for a Japanese city where a 16-year-old girl is about to become Japan's first female professional baseball player.

Tibetans in exile are gathering at the home of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India this week. They're meeting to talk about failed negotiations with China to gain genuine autonomy for Tibetans. The World's Mary Kay Magistad caught up with one of the main envoys in Dharamsala, to find out what direction exiled Tibetans will take now.

Tibet protests

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of British broadcaster Alistair Cooke. Most Americans probably know him for his many years as the erudite host of Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. But Cooke was known internationally for his long-running BBC radio series "Letter From America." The weekly show ran for fifty-eight years. The World's Carol Zall looks back on Cooke's work and career.