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Piracy off the coast of Somalia has become an international problem — and an international business. The issues of criminality and the potential for violence aside, a closer look at the "business model" of piracy reveals that the plan makes economic sense.

Striking unions in Portugal are protesting the government's austerity measures. Parliament is expected to vote on the plan Friday. Portugal is one of the European countries facing massive problems caused by its national debt. Many Portuguese are angered by the government's plans to freeze pensions and cut the wages of civil servants by five percent.

One of Mexico's most powerful criminal organizations has added a new market to its empire: Australia. The Sinaloa cartel is developing a booming cocaine trade in a country with an endless coastline and many harbors and ports.

Musicians Johan Karlberg and Etienne Tron first met Malawi-born Esau Mwamwaya running a junk shop outside their studio. The two were eager to befriend Mwamwaya, in part because they thought he was an African drummer. Turns out, he was much more. The three have formed a group called The Very Best and released Warm Heart of Africa in October.

Robert Plant's fascination with the blues goes back to his early days as lead singer for Led Zeppelin. Plant says the roots of that uniquely American art form may be traced to the deserts of Western Africa. He tells NPR's Renee Montagne about the connection he discovered at the Festival in the Desert, a gathering of nomads and musicians in Mali. Hear an extended interview and songs from the 2003 festival CD.

Black diamonds are extremely rare, and are found naturally only in Brazil and Central Africa. The cosmic origin theory of "The Enigma" is based on carbon isotopes and high hydrogen content.

The writer, poet, activist and musician joins Rachel Martin to discuss his latest album, the story of a hacker living in resource-rich Central Africa.

The National Geographic Society, in partnership with IBM, launches the "Genographic Project." More than 100,000 DNA samples, collected over five years, will trace the origin and movement of humans.

A rapturous reception as Pope Francis celebrates Mass with a million worshipers in the capital Kinshasa.