ASKING AUTHORS

Q & A | Andrés Neuman: A musical childhood in Argentina

Sarah Moreno is a reporter for the Galería section of El Nuevo Herald. She asked this question of Andrés Neuman, the Spanish-Argentine novelist and poet whose most recent work is ``El viajero del siglo'' (Traveler of the Century) (Santillana U.S.A., $19.99), which has won the prestigious Alfaguara Award. At present he has a column in the literary supplement of the daily national newspapers ABC (Spain) and Clarín (Argentina).

ASKING AUTHORS

Q & A | Tracy Kidder: A Burundian student's experience

Trenton Daniel is a staff writer for The Miami Herald. He asked this of Tracy Kidder, whose most recent book is ``Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness'' (Random House, $26).

TO OUR READERS

Covering book fair is a labor of love for Herald veteran

Wear comfortable shoes. Get a copy of the schedule beforehand. Sign up for tickets in advance. Bring a big bag for the books you'll buy, whether you plan to or not. Be sure to try some sessions utterly out of the blue.

An excerpt: Leonard Pitts' 'Before I Forget'

The latest book by Pulitzer Prize-winning Herald columnistLeonard Pittsis his first novel. `Before I Forget' is a tale of a past-his-prime soul singer who learns he has early-onset Alzheimer's -- and what he does next. Here's an abridged excerpt.

Miami Book Fair International is just around the corner ...

The Miami Book Fair International will be held Nov. 8-15, 2009. Among the noted authors who have already confirmed are Margaret Atwood, Al Gore, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Barbara Kingsolver. The Miami Herald will profile these and other speakers throughout the week.

TRANSPORTATION

New `electric corridor' to be tested, could lead to more electric vehicles

After years of talk about a nationwide fleet of electric cars riding the roads, a federally funded test in metro areas around the country could provide the first infrastructure to support the idea.

WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

Pakistani militants, al Qaeda leaders, begin to work together

Senior members of al Qaeda are beginning to meet and partner with Pakistani militants.

ENVIRONMENT

Farmers wary as climate bill debate nears

Farm groups have begun lobbying against a climate and energy bill that will come up for debate in Congress soon, but many scientists call the legislation essential.

TO OUR READERS

A unique window into the changes transforming Haiti

For an understanding of what's happening in Haiti at a pivotal time, you need only track the hectic week Miami Herald Caribbean correspondent Jacqueline Charles just spent in pursuit of two very different stories.

ASKING AUTHORS

Q & A | Dennis Lehane: FIU is fertile ground for literary stylists

Jay Ducassi is the Metro editor of The Miami Herald. He posed this question to Dennis Lehane, the bestselling author of "Mystic River'' and other novels, who has edited a collection of stories -- to which he contributed one of his own -- titled "Boston Noir'' (Akashic Books, $15.95 paperback).

CUBA

Diplomat Robert Pastor reflects on Cuban relations, looks ahead to new opportunity

Robert Pastor, who played a critical part in negotiations with the Cuban government in 1977, reflects on the moves he made and the potential moves the Obama administration could make.

LATIN AMERICA

Censorship vs. hate speech in troubled Honduras

The interim government of Honduras has rescinded a controversial decree that banned opposition broadcasters, but the stations remain on the defensive, one for inflammatory anti-Semitic remarks.

BOUNCING BACK

Make the right moves after foreclosure

Quick action and persistence can set the stage for recovery after losing your home in a foreclosure.

TO OUR READERS

Our storytelling evolves with growth of video

When The Herald's Bridget Carey shot her first video reviews two years ago, she used her old webcam from college for the taping and her cramped bedroom for a studio. The lighting was whatever came through her window, so more than once her tapes were ruined when clouds moved in, and she'd have to wait for a sunny patch.

NUREMBERG WAR-CRIMES TRIAL

German-born Jew recalls translating for Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg

A German-born Jew, now living in South Florida, recalls serving as a translator for psychiatrists trying to understand Nazi war criminals.

MIAMI HERALD OMBUDSMAN

Charges against columnist don't add up

What does a newspaper do if one of its regular op-ed contributors has been accused of being of a Cuban spy?

OBAMA'S NOBEL PRIZE

Obama's Nobel Prize brings euphoria, indignation, gratitude -- and surprise

The announcement of President Barack Obama's peace prize caught the world, and the president, by surprise. Here is a sampling of reaction.

WAR ON TERRORISM | AMERICAN MUSLIMS

War on terrorism tears Muslim American communities apart

Muslims in the U.S. are increasingly finding themselves the object of distrust as the government continues its hunt for hidden enemies.

TO OUR READERS

The insiders' guide to South Florida's nooks and crannies

When Vique Martinez's friends are wondering where to go for a night out, to celebrate a birthday or entertain out-of-town friends, they ask her. Known to her friends as ``Party Patrol,'' she starts with a set of questions: What day of the week? What type of music? What kind of atmosphere? Who is going?

UNEMPLOYMENT

Social networking sites give the jobless confidence

Many unemployed people find that they feel better if they communicate regularly with others in the same boat.