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Russia and Ukraine previously provided nearly all of Somalia's wheat. Now, the country is on the brink of famine.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss took home the highest honor at Sunday's Grammy Awards: album of the year for Raising Sand. The duo also won record of the year for their song, "Please Read the Letter." In all, Plant and Krauss won five Grammys, the most of the night. Coldplay and Lil Wayne each won three Grammys.

The singer and multi-instrumentalist relies on violins, guitars and whistling to craft a unique sound that's difficult to describe. On his latest album, Noble Beast, Bird even uses his words as instruments, creating lyrics from archaic and esoteric words that conform to the melodies in his head.

Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman produced a driving, powerful score that's already earned a Golden Globe. His organic approach to writing draws on a simple desire to make people smile when they listen. The eclectic soundtrack also features collaborations with singer M.I.A.

Ever since the dawn of digital delivery, we've been hearing about how the single-song download is killing the album. But at the Grammy Awards, which take place Sunday night in Los Angeles, there's still a category for Album of the Year. Tom Moon profiles the nominees.

Latin music would not exist without bongos, congas or timbales — all percussion instruments, all with roots in Africa. Likewise, there wouldn't be Latin music without other African influences, such as syncopation. Latin percussionist, composer and bandleader Bobby Sanabria gives a primer on the close roots that Latin and jazz music share with the sound and soul of West Africa.

Kay Thompson was a musical director for MGM Studios, the author of the Eloise children's books and the star of her own long-running nightclub act. Liza Minnelli pays tribute to her real-life godmother in her latest, sold-out revue.

The daughter of a diplomat, Rokia Traore has built her musical career around a stylish, natural assimilation of African and European cultures. Reviewer Banning Eyre says that the opening track from Traore's new album, Tchamantche, tells the whole story.

This year, voters in a record number of states will weigh in on ballot measures related to abortion, with some proposals advanced by abortion-rights supporters and others advanced by opponents.

Inflation hit a new, four-decade high of 9.1% last month, fueled in part by record high gasoline prices. Gas prices have since fallen, but overall inflation is still elevated.