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Why Aren't the Honeybees Coming Home?

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Fourteen billion dollars in fruits, vegetables, flowers and nuts are at risk because honeybees are disappearing by the tens of billions.  Nobody knows where they're going, but they're not coming home.  It's a mysterious risk to the food chain nationwide.  Also, General David Petraeus goes behind closed doors with House leaders and, on Reporter's Notebook, Mexico City has legalized abortion. We talk about women's rights in Latin America.

Making News

Petraeus Briefs House before Vote on Iraq Spending Bill ()

General David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, is scheduled to meet behind closed doors with the entire House of Representatives. The House is then scheduled to vote on a war-funding bill that contains the benchmarks and deadlines opposed by President Bush. Richard Wolffe is senior White House correspondent for Newsweek.

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Main Topic

Mysterious 'Colony Collapse Disorder' Threatens Food Chain ()

Three times in the past 120 years, honeybees have disappeared for mysterious reasons. Twice since the 1980's, there have been infestations of bee-killing mites. But those episodes have been restricted to limited areas. Since last November, tens of billions of honeybees all over the country are flying away from their hives and never returning. Bees pollinate hundreds of fruits, vegetables, flowers and nuts worth $14 billion, and scientists have no idea why so many are disappearing.  Is there another way to pollinate?  Is the disappearance of honeybees related to genetically engineered crops?  We talk with a beekeeper who's lost 60% of his insects and get a report on a two-day conference of bee experts investigating what's now called "colony collapse disorder."

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Reporter's Notebook

Mexico City Legalizes Abortion ()

Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guyana were the only places in Latin American to allow abortion on demand until yesterday, when Mexico City legalized the procedure during the first twelve week's of pregnancy.  In introducing the bill, Mexico City Deputy Daniel Ordoñez said, "Women have self determination over their bodies" and the "exclusive" right to decide whether to enter into motherhood. Supporters call it a landmark for women's rights in Latin America. Héctor Tobar covered the story for the Los Angeles Times.

Guests:
  • Hector Tobar: Mexico City Bureau Chief for the Los Angeles Times

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