Global Political Cartoons: March 12 – 18, 2011

The Land of the Rising Sun has become for some The Land of Rising Radiation Levels. The aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami has cartoonists morphing the red disc in Japan’s flag into everything from a radiation hazard symbol to a skull.
Watch the latest slideshow

Cyclone hits Australia

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Our Geo Quiz comes straight out of the news this time: a massive cyclone is battering northeastern Australia. Cyclone Yasi went ashore in a state that’s known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The storm is impacting a part of the state that’s to the north of areas hit by massive flooding recently. What’s the name of the Australian state battered by Yasi? Download MP3

Talking Travel: Aussie floods and your travel plans

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download MP3 (27:37)

A president toppled and protests in the streets, mudslides rolling down mountains and killing villagers, and flood waters cresting through through the streets of a major city. Not exactly what Tunisia, Brazil and Australia (respectively) want during the height of their tourist season. American Airlines says ‘get lost’ to Orbitz and Expedia, and in the northern hemisphere, it’s still winter. How do you avoid getting stuck at the airport?

• Download this episode (27:37)
• Lonely Planet website
• BBC Travel Website
• Subscribe to Talking Travel via iTunes
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via email

Global Political Cartoons: January 15 – 21, 2011

Tunisians say they want a revolution, ‘well, you know, we all want to change the world’.  What’s still not clear is what the Tunisians want to change into.  HU Jintao? He’s the Chinese president WHO went TO Washington TO DO some diplomacy TO WOO NEW sources of MOO-lah.  And Queensland underwater.

• Watch the slideshow
• Subscribe to our multimedia feed on iTunes

Helping flood victims in Australia

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Aid workers in the Australian state of Queensland are scrambling to provide assistance to the victims of torrential rains. Jacqueline Pascarl of the aid group Operation Angel tells host Lisa Mullins about needs of survivors that are often overlooked. Download MP3

Video: Floods in Australia

Flooding in Brisbane

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Large parts of the Australian city of Brisbane are now completely deserted with thousands of people fleeing the rising waters. In low-lying suburbs only rooftops remain visible. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with reporter Peter Collins of National Nine News in Brisbane. Download MP3

Kate Miller-Heidke

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Reporter Andrea Smardon introduces us to Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke. She started out as an opera singer, but now she’s a pop star.

http://www.katemillerheidke.com
Tour dates