July 03, 2008 
Politics , International , Terrorism and Security, South America, Military
Anti-corruption politician and 14 other FARC hostages are rescued in Colombia
Guest: Americo Martins, BBC Americas Region editor
North America, International , Business and Economy , Oil
Oil prices have hit a new record, sigh, again as speculators eye more increases
Oil prices soared to a record high of more than $143 a barrel Wednesday.
North America, Society, National , Religion and Spirituality,
Faith unites Jews, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists in Iowa flood aftermath
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Kent DePinto
The Mother Mosque of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the oldest mosque in the United States, was flooded under nearly ten feet of water. As its members surveyed the damage an interfaith coalition of volunteers united to help sift through the wreckage.
South America, Culture, Arts and Entertainment , Politics , Music
U.S. Ambassador, Paraguayan Superstar
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Kent DePinto
U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay James Cason has recorded a 16-track album in Guaraní, the official indigenous language of Paraguay, turning the foreign-serviceman into a national sensation.
Movies, Culture, Arts and Entertainment
The Takeaway reviews Hancock, with the help of a hero
Will Smith's conflicted, alcoholic superhero “Hancock” hits the big screen this holiday weekend. To help review the film, the Takeaway talks to Jeffrey Roberson, a hero who has a lot in common with Hancock.
Health , Business and Economy , South America, Politics , Elections, Drugs
John McCain takes campaign detour in Latin America to tackle drugs, free trade
Guest: Elisabeth Bumiller, The New York Times
North America, Business and Economy
Rice profits are being canceled by the spike in oil and other farming costs
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Corey Takahashi
It's been a great year for rice prices, but a rough one for rice production. Global rice scarcity has boosted demand and that’s meant U.S. rice growers can charge more for the staple. But the high market price of rice is being canceled out by the spike in oil. Mississippi rice farmer Gary Fioranelli explains how the cost of fuel, fertilizer and other farming necessities has doubled his production costs from last year and how he's banking on a bumper crop this year to stay in business.
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International,
in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
