Seems strange that a rain forest could be devastated by drought, doesn't it? Well, it happened to the Amazon rainforest in 2005. Global warming may have been a factor, and scientists are trying to figure out what that could mean for the future.

Do you live in Vancouver but have a hankering for CTV Atlantic's supper-hour newscast? These days, with digital cable and satellite, you can do it! But by doing it, you're screwing up the ratings.

Paul Workman is CTV News' South Asia bureau chief. He is currently on assignment in Afghanistan. Here's some of what he had to say about this week's Taliban-for-a-journalist swap:

I'm very happy for Daniele Mastrogiacomo. He survived every correspondent's nightmare, except that the deal to win his freedom may have jeopardized my safety and that of every other journalist, aid worker, and private contractor now in Afghanistan.

Within hours the American government issued a chilling statement. It said U.S. intelligence had received "credible information" that the Taliban, buoyed by their recent success, "will undertake additional kidnappings of foreigners in southern Afghanistan."

A private contractor I know, was far more direct. And furious. He's one of a few foreign civilians who lives in Kandahar City, and depends on discretion, caution and luck for his safety.

"The Afghan government has capitulated," he says, "and it puts my life in danger."

Workman did an interveiw with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai. Here's the headline: Karzai regrets prisoner exchange with Taliban

The Wall Street Journal's Lee Gomes holds forth on what happens when more traditional media organizations try to go all Web 2.0, social-network-y (thanks, Harvey!).

From the BBC:

A Tamil journalist detained for more than four months in Sri Lanka without charge has been set free.

The Supreme Court ordered the release of Maunasami Parameswaree on Wednesday after she had petitioned it.

The authorities said Ms Parameswaree had close links with the Tamil Tigers. She says they produced no evidence to support their claim.

Media groups say Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists to work in. ...

The media group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) hailed the release of Ms Parameswaree and called on the Sri Lankan authorities to release another media figure.

"It is worth reminding the government after this ruling that Dushantha Basnayake, the financial director of Standard Newspapers Private Limited (SNPL), the group that publishes Mawbima, is also being held under this anti-terrorism law," RSF said.

"He should be freed at once."

Blackwater USA is probably the world's biggest private army. These mercenaries contractors play a key role in the Iraq occupation. Investigative journalist Jeremy Scahill talks to Democracy Now! about his new book Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army.

Think we're the only country with an aging workforce? Guess again. China's starting to suffer a shortage of young, cheap workers. And that could have, er, consequences.

Two Manhattanites are trying to live a zero-impact life for a year.