Entire program – October 22, 2009

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Today on The World: It’s not just Mexico’s drug war we’ll hear how the drug cartels operate on the US side of the border; Also, a drought threatens a return to famine in Ethiopia; British diplomats of years past, and their undiplomatic words.

Ethiopia asks for urgent food aid

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The Ethiopian government has asked the international community for emergency food aid for 6.2 million people. The request came at a meeting of donors to discuss the impact of a prolonged drought affecting parts of East Africa. BBC correspondent Mike Wooldridge witnessed Ethiopia’s famine in the 80s. Now he’s back, Marco Werman talks with him. Download MP3

• BBC coverage

Mexico’s drug war in the US

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US officials have announced the arrest, on American soil, of more than 300 members of a major Mexican drug cartel. The Mexican newspaper El Universal has been running a series this week focusing on drug-trafficking north of the border, in the United States. The newspaper reports that the drug cartels are increasing their operations inside the US. One of the reporters on the series is Evangelina Hernandez. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• El Universal coverage (en español)
• Lorne Matalon’s Mexico stories on the World
• Join the discussion: Are you concerned about the drug war in Mexico?

Valedictory dispatches

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Here’s a satisfying day-dream: you have quit your job, but you’re encouraged to write down your opinion about the whole thing – and then publish it to your colleagues. Well, that was long standard practice for British diplomats. Britain’s former ambassador in Washington, Sir Christopher Meyer (pictured) told The BBC that for him, the quality of dispatches varied as much as the quality of those that wrote them. Alex Gallafent reports. Download MP3

Afghanistan prepares for run-off election

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Washington Post Associate Editor Rajiv Chandrasekan on the mood in Afghanistan as election officials scramble to set up the November 7 presidential run-off election. The first round of voting in August was marred by widespread fraud.

Afghans speak out on call-in show

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Anchor Marco Werman checks in with Inayatulhaq Yasini, host of the BBC’s Pashto-language radio show “Your Voice,” to find out what his Afghan listeners are talking about as the presidential run-off election draws near.

US citizen jailed in Burma

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A US citizen named Kyaw Zaw Lwin has been in prison in Myanmar…also known as Burma…for nearly two months. He was born there but has been living as a dissident in exile for 20 years. Recently he went back and was arrested. Reporter Bruce Wallace speaks with his fiancee, Wa Wa Kyaw, at her home outside of Washington, to find out the latest in the case.

Kyaw Zaw Lwin (left), Khin Ohmar (middle) from The Forum for Democracy in Burma and Tate Naing, Secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma). Photo: courtesy of Wa Wa Kyaw”

US busts Mexican drug cartel

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The World’s Katy Clark reports that US officials today announced that they’ve arrested more than 300 members of a major Mexican drug cartel. The arrests follow a massive crackdown in several US states.

Climate change threatens Cyprus with drought

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A recent study suggests that the Mediterranean island of Cyprus runs the risk of becoming more like a desert by the end of this century from the effects of climate change. The World’s Aaron Schachter has details.

Geo Quiz and answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking for the name of Australia’s newest tourist attraction…where locals say you’ll see the REAL Australia. The answer is Nullarbor Links. As of opening day today, it’s the world’s longest golf course…stretching 840 miles long and spanning two time zones. The World’s David Leveille tells us more.

Global Hit

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The National Security Archive in Washington has filed a Freedom of Information Act request. They are seeking declassified information on music used in interrogation practices. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Thomas Blanton, Executive Director for the National Security Archive in Washington, DC.