For nearly two decades, Democrats and Republicans have fought over U.S. policy in Haiti, resulting in an inconsistent and troubled relationship with the impoverished country. This week's earthquake came as Haiti had finally achieved a measure of stability and as the Obama Administration was preparing to announce new policies that it hoped would win broad consensus. Glenn Kessler reports for the Washington Post.

Millions of dollars of aid is being donated through text messages to organizations such as the American Red Cross and musician Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation. We find out how it works from Albert Angel, the founder and CEO of "Give on the Go," which is coordinating Yele Haiti's mobile-giving campaign.

We look back at the first round of hearings by an independent commission into the causes of the recent financial crisis. Bankers addressed the commission; regulators did too. Mistakes were made, the bankers contend. But will they face anything more than a slap on the wrist? Justin Fox, is editor at large at Time magazine and author of "The Curious Capitalist" blog at Time.com.

The BBC's Andy Gallacher reports on the chaos and desperation in Port-au-Prince.

The Bee Lady of Appalachia describes her plans for thousands of acres of land that were used for mining. Tammy Horn works with coal companies to reclaim the land that was used for mining — she wants to get the genetic diversity back to where it was before the land was mined; she also wants to get local people involved in bee-keeping. Horn is a senior researcher at Eastern Kentucky University's Environmental Research Institute.

Old Mexico has become hip among some white indie rock bands. Calexico, Beirut, DeVotchka, The David Wax Museum and songwriters like Devendra Banhart are all flirting with traditional Mexican forms in their repertoire. Producer Christopher Blagg explains why these groups have suddenly developed a penchant for Mariachi, huapangeuras, and donkey jaw bones.