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Today, the U.S. Government estimates that health care costs account for 16 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. The high cost of medical treatment may be the number one issue in health care reform. And it's already caused some patients to go elsewhere to save money on major operations.

Nigeria moves to center stage, as the Africa Rising Music and Fashion Festival prepares for its Washington debut. The festival was started as a way to reflect Africa's social, political and economical culture. Journalist Nduka Obaigbena, founder of the festival, and Nigerian fashion icon Fati Mohammed Asibelua discuss Africa Rising.

Former New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni talks about his battle with food in his new book "Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater."

Camel No. 9 is a new cigarette targeted at women. R.J. Reynolds is marketing it aggressively, with elaborate launch parties. The company says it is selling to adults, but lawmakers and public health experts say the company is targeting teen girls.

How are residents in Mexicali and the Imperial County still being affected by the 7.2 magnitude Easter earthquake that struck one year ago? And, what are some of the unique things geologists have learned about the temblor over the last year? We'll look back on how the earthquake impacted our region, and discuss how the knowledge we've gained could influence theories about quake mechanics in the future.

Madeleine Brand speaks with Andrew Krepinevich, executive director of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a defense policy think tank in Washington, D.C. They discuss the evolution of strategy on the part of the Iraq insurgency to battle U.S.-led forces.

Many Afghans complain that the United States and other donor countries are spending billions of dollars creating a hodgepodge of expensive and often shoddy relief and development projects in dangerous areas. A U.N. official says it's time to "let the kid drive," allowing Afghans to direct aid projects.

Two Democratic lawmakers introduced legislation Tuesday that has stirred up a firestorm of debate between business interests and labor groups. The Employee Free Choice Act would amend existing labor law. If passed, workers could form a union if the majority of them sign cards requesting one.

An environmental group says California leads the country in offering alternatives to gasoline. But the study says the state could be doing more. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

Everyone's heard of the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. But who knew that China had its very own Leaning Tower? Certainly not most Chinese. What's more, the 900-year-old pagoda outside Shanghai could well be the most tilted building in the world.