Kind of slammed today, so this is going to be quick.

Maybe you've noticed this, maybe you haven't ... We program this show a little differently than many of the other daily NPR news programs. We have a number of ongoing regular segments, rather than "just" those that follow the headlines.

I put "just" in quotes because, let me be clear, keeping up on the news is serious business, and we try to do our part to stay on top of breaking news. But since much of what we're trying to do is give you stories and ideas that other people are NOT focusing on, many of our segments are organized around ongoing themes and ideas. It gives us a vehicle to present you with stories that you may NOT already be thinking about and talking about, along with the ones you already are.

That's a long way of saying that you may have noticed that we try to focus on international news on Thursdays.

Why Thursdays?

No particular reason, but lots of reasons. Not sure it matters, but this Thursday is no different. As it happens, there are all sorts of stories breaking out there that we didn't have time to get to — Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf taking off the uniform, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez's decision to break off ties with Colombia — all important stuff. But again, we're trying to focus on some things that might NOT be grabbing the top headlines.

...So, the Paris riots. There were serious civil disturbances just two years ago. So why now? ... And why again?

And, the worldwide AIDS epidemic ... Where is progress being made? Where isn' it? Also, a view from a hard hit region that does NOT get the headlines, the Carribbean, right on our doorstep.

Violence in sports. Do you ever look at those soccer riots and go, what the...??? I know I do.

Plus, some music from Coltrane and Monk, on the occasion of a big anniversary.

More later...