Michael Rass
Literary Geo
We’ve got a literary geo quiz for you now this time. It relates to a book set in an unforgiving part of the world.
Musique en France
Gerry Hadden tells us how the French government helps out struggling musicians, actors and artists. It provides them with a version of unemployment that helps them get through the lean times. Listen
Lura
We hear the latest release from Portuguese & Cape Verdean singer Lura, who kicks off a US tour next week. Listen
An English castle
We’re looking for a royal residence in England this time…
Remembering Michael Jackson around the world
Tributes from stars and fans have been pouring in for singer Michael Jackson, who has died aged 50 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home. The BBC has received a flood of comments on Michael Jackson’s death from around the world.
Global economic crisis
President Barack Obama has announced a major reform of banking regulation to prevent future financial crises. The overhaul will require big banks to put more money aside against future losses to curb excessive risk taking. Consumers will get a special agency to protect their interests and regulate mortgages and credit cards. In outlining the reforms, President Obama described them as the biggest shake-up of the US system of financial regulation since the 1930s.
Are you concerned about the drug war in Mexico?
Mexico’s drug cartels are stepping up the violence. Recently senior police officers, members of their families and a judge have been assassinated in broad daylight. Do you fear this might spill over into the United States? What should Washington do about it?
How do you define peace?
Is it merely the absence of war? How do the personal and political meanings of peace relate to each other?
What are your favorite books about the Middle East?
Do you have a ‘must read’ tip? Do you prefer novels over non-fiction?
How would you overcome America’s dependency on foreign oil?
President Obama has called for the U.S. to become energy independent, saying its reliance on foreign oil and global warming posed threats. Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held “hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet”.
On patrol in Afghanistan
The World’s Aaron Schachter tells us about challenges facing US troops in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, among the country’s most violent regions. It’s largely controlled by the Taliban, but it’s also home to the largest US Marine base in Afghanistan. Watch Aaron Schachter’s audio slideshow. Listen to the radio report
Clearing a Path for the Jaguar
National parks around the world provide important refuge for people and wildlife. They’re places where humans can reconnect with the natural world and where animals are protected from human encroachment. But parks rarely provide enough habitat to ensure the survival of an entire species. This is especially true of large predators like jaguars. Jaguars are the biggest cats in the all of the Americas. And in Central America, scientists are trying to protect Jaguars by finding and protecting the corridors that the cats use as they roam from park to park. Julia Kumari Drapkin reports from Panama.
Darfur refugees still suffering in Chad
A new report from Physicians for Human Rights documents the impact of rape and sexual violence on Darfuri women refugees living in Chad. Many women live with the trauma of attacks that happened when they first fled Darfur. But those are compounded by the ongoing daily threat of rape in and around the camps where [...]
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