Pakistan flood diary

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Six weeks ago floods began to engulf Pakistan. Since then, more than 1,750 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been forced from their homes – many areas are still under water. The BBC’s Aleem Maqbool has been tracing the path of the destruction by traveling the length of the country on the Indus river. Lisa Mullins talks with him. Download MP3

• Read Aleem Maqbool’s diary and watch a video
• BBC coverage of the Pakistan floods

Mexico celebrates bicentennial

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Mexico is celebrating the bicentennial of its independence with parties across the country. However, security is high in many regions, with some towns and cities canceling or cutting back festivities amid fears of drug cartel violence. The celebrations mark the 1810 uprising that paved the way for the end of Spanish rule in 1821. Eric Niiler reports from Mexico. (Photo: Eric Niiler) Download MP3

• BBC coverage: Mexico on high security alert
• BBC Mundo (en español)

Chef Marcus Samuelsson

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Marcus Samuelsson is one of America’s top chefs. Indeed, he recently won the TV cooking competition, Top Chef Masters. Add that to accolades including 3 star-reviews from the New York Times and awards from the James Beard Foundation. Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia. But after his birth mother died, he was adopted by a couple from Sweden, where he grew up. Samuelsson’s food takes in influences from, among other places, Sweden, Ethiopia and New York City, where he lives. The World’s Alex Gallafent spoke to Samuelsson and asked the chef to share some of his musical influences too. (Photo: Alex Gallafent) Download MP3

• Video: Watch the Samuelsson cook for kids at the Harlem YMCA
• Marcus Samuelsson online
• Red Rooster Harlem

New ad for Mideast peace

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In Israel a new ad campaign has Palestinian peace negotiators appealing directly to Israelis for support in the peace process. Daniel Estrin reports from Israel.

The meeting that wasn’t

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Anchor Lisa Mullins reports on a bit of a mystery surrounding a planned meeting in North Korea that officials hailed as the most important political meeting in three decades. Unnamed sources say the meeting never happened, but no one is quite sure why.

Nigeria’s president announces candicacy

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC’s Caroline Duffield in Lagos, Nigeria about today’s Facebook post by Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan in which he announces plans for another presidential term in January.

Obama as colonialist controversy

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Some critics of President Obama have sparked a debate by suggesting Mr. Obama’s foreign policy is driven by the anti-colonialist views of his Kenyan father. The World’s Marco Werman has more. (Photo: America.gov/Flickr)

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo Answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is the Greek island of Kafelonia in the Ionian Sea. It’s one of several Mediterranean getaways for tourists who wish to get out of their clothes. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Samantha Taylor who runs the Vassaliki Naturist Club there.

• Geo Quiz Archive

Music Heard on Air for September 15, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For September 15, 2010. Artists featured are Moriba Koita, Ramon Cordero, Moriba Koita, Baka Beyond, Kerekes Band.

Greek island in the sun

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Think blue skies and relaxing ocean views. We’re off to the Ionian islands of western Greece and we want you to name the largest of these islands. It’s said to be the setting for “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.” This island’s got plenty of sun and white sandy beaches. There’s also a new club for naturists there… Download MP3

Entire program – September 14, 2010

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American hiker Sarah Shourd is freed after more than a year in an Iranian prison; The US plans a $ 60 billion arms deal with Saudia Arabia, and traditionalists in France are up in arms over a Japanese pop art show being held in the Versailles Palace.

Iran releases American hiker Sarah Shourd

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President Barack Obama has welcomed Iran’s release of American Sarah Shourd and said he remained hopeful that Tehran would demonstrate “renewed compassion” by freeing her companions. Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were arrested last year after they crossed the border from Iraq without a visa. All three maintain they entered Iran mistakenly while they were hiking through Iraq but all three have been accused of espionage. Bauer and Fattal are still being held at Evin prison. Lisa Mullins talks with Iran expert Haleh Esfandiari who was imprisoned at Evin in 2007. Download MP3

• BBC coverage: Sarah Shourd ‘has left Iran’
• Marco Werman talked with Nora Shourd and Cindy Hickey (the mothers of Sarah Shourd and Shane Bauer) in July
• Who are the hikers?

US-Saudi arms deal

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The Pentagon is set to notify the Congress in Washington of a $60 billion weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, reports quoting US officials say. The deal to sell advanced military aircraft to the Saudi kingdom is aimed at shoring up an Arab ally against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported. The arms deal would be among the largest yet. Lisa Mullins talks with Adam Entous, the National Security Correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. Download MP3

• BBC coverage: Pentagon to notify Congress of arms deal

Takashi Murakami in Versailles

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The palace in Versailles is among the most visited sites in France. People come to see its extravagant décor. But starting Tuesday they can see something else there as well. An exhibit of Japanese contemporary art that has some French traditionalists up in arms. Genevieve 0ger reports from Versailles. (Photo: Genevieve 0ger) Download MP3

• Chopin’s piano maker
• Another prime minister for Japan?