Latin America

Novelist Isabel Allende on Her Career

In a holiday special, we spend the hour with Isabel Allende, one of Latin America’s and the United States’ greatest novelists. Just this week she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Allende is the author of 20 books, including “The House of the Spirits,” “Paula” and “Daughter of Fortune.” Her latest is a mystery novel titled “Ripper.”

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Risky Nicaragua Canal Mega-Project

The Nicaraguan government gave a little known Chinese businessman a 100 year+ concession to build and operate an interoceanic canal dividing the country from west to east. Besides the canal itself, the consortium (HKND) has the right to purchase property anywhere it so decides for well below market value and keep it even if the canal isn’t built.

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Russell Brand as Political Activist (Video)

For years Russell Brand has been one of Britain’s most popular comedians, but over the past 12 months he has also emerged as a leading voice of Britain’s political left. He has taken part in anti-austerity protests, spoken at Occupy Wall Street protests and marched with the hacker collective Anonymous.

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