Michael Jackson in Liberia

For today’s Global Hit, we hear from Emmanuel Gardiner, whose family left Liberia for the United States after a coup in 1980. Among his most treasured possessions was Michael Jackson’s album “Off the Wall.” Listen

“No star” hotel

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US-Russian relations hard to reset

Correspondent Jessica Golloher examines some of the challenges for Russia and the United States as leaders of both countries tout a message of cooperation following President Obama’s visit to Moscow.
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Hal and the Big 5

The group Hal and the Big 5 aren’t the type of band that jams together well into the night. Instead, each member records into their own computer then shares the files over the internet. In fact, some band members haven’t even met each other…

Name that beach!

We’re heading to Africa for today’s Geo Quiz. That’s where President Obama is headed at the end of this week. He’ll be visiting a West African city where you can find European forts from the 17th century.

Robert McNamara dies

The World’s Jason Margolis has this look back at former Secretary of State Robert McNamara, who died today at the age of 93. McNamara served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and came to be vilified for his role in escalating the war in Vietnam.
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Robert McNamara dies

Robert S. McNamara, who served as US Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has died at the age of 93. McNamara, who served Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961-1968, was also a key architect of the nuclear deterrence. (Photo: SSGT R. W. Savatt, Jr./AFP/Getty Images, 1965) Filmmaker Errol Morris talks about Robert McNamara

Kawk fighting in Kabul

With all the military action in Afghanistan, it’s easy to forget that many people in the country go about their business as they’ve always done. Here’s an example. Weekends in the capital, Kabul, begin on Fridays. That’s when people attend the mosque and spend time with their families. But there’s another favorite pastime – kawk fighting. The World’s Aaron Schachter took a closer look…

La dolce vita

In the Geo Quiz, we want you to name the place referenced by a scene in a classic film by Federico Fellini.

Femi Kuti

Marco Werman talks with Nigerian afrobeat musician Femi Kuti, son of the late pioneer of the genre Fela Kuti, and gets him to answer the questions he himself poses on his new CD about progress in Africa. Video: Three Questions for Femi Kuti

‘United for Neda’

Marco Werman reports on “United for Neda,” a song composed and performed by a group of Iranian artists in Los Angeles to acknowledge the sacrifices made by protestors in the streets of Tehran. Neda is a reference to the young woman killed during street protests there two weeks ago.

Asian sultanate

We’re looking for a country in southeast Asia that’s rich in oil and gas. So rich in fact that its residents don’t pay taxes. And they have one of the highest living standards in the world.

Entire program – July 1, 2009

Today on The World: China steps back from requiring computer makers to install Internet filtering software on every new computer; the debate heats up in Europe over the benefits, real or imagined, of increased biofuel production; and an Islamic take on the evolution vs creationism debate. Listen

Staff Benda Bilili

The Congolese band Staff Benda Bilili just released an amazing album, but as Marco Werman tells Lisa Mullins, it’s the story behind the music that’s really amazing. Listen You can find more information on the band here.

Ukrainian village

We’re looking for a country in eastern Europe where a village may soon change its name to “Jackson.” The village’s current name is Oktyabrskoye.