Impact of Lawrence Case on Race Relations in Britain

The Lawrence case dramatically impacted race relations in Britain. The Guardian’s Hugh Muir explains some of the changes.

British Cartoonist Ronald Searle Dies

Anchor Marco Werman talks to British cartoonist Steve Bell about the life and work of British graphic artist Ronald Searle who died at the age of 91. Searle was the author of the St Trinian’s series and was an illustrator for many news publications.

Fungus Hits Trees Along France’s Canal du Midi

The Geo Quiz is looking for the ‘Pink City’ at the starting point of the canal.

Murdoch’s Reversal of Fortune

Rupert Murdoch’s media group withdraws its bid for BSkyB.

The Insurgency in Pakistan’s Largest Province

Pakistan is facing a brutal insurgency in the resource-rich south-west of the country.

Towering Jesus

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If you’ve ever been to Rio de Janeiro, then you’ve seen the towering statue of Jesus Christ the Redeemer. It’s so high up there that there are lightning rods installed on the statue but the statue itself is not the tallest statue of Jesus Christ in the world. Rio’s landmark is rivaled by a similar one in Cochabamba, Bolivia. But for today’s Geo Quiz, we’re looking for a place in Poland that claims to best them both. Download MP3

Is Yemen in trouble?

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Yemen is the subject of a high-level international conference in London today. There are fears the Arab nation could become a failed state and a haven for al-Qaeda. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the Middle East editor of London’s Guardian newpaper, Ian Black.

The Noughties: what we’ve lost

Question: what do Concorde, the Buddhas of Bamiyan, and Michael Jackson have in common? Answer: they were all lost to us in the past decade. You’ve probably got your own ideas of what the greatest losses were. This BBC World Service discussion, with accompanying slide show, brings together an international panel of cultural commentators. As the decade draws to a close, they reflect on The Noughties – on what we’ve lost, and what we’ve gained. Photo: AFP

• The BBC discussion and slide show

Twitter freedom, a zeitgeisty Chinese word, and Lakota immersion

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Question: what happens when a court gags a newspaper? Answer: The gag sags, 140 characters at a time. That’s what happened this month when microbloggers tweeted what The Guardian couldn’t report. Also, a group of Beijing and expat artists discover a Chinese word that seems to convey the state of China today; and the near-death – and possible rebirth – of the native American Lakota language, with an assist from a German rock star.

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Twitter campaign

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In an historic case of internet people power, Twitter users were able to bypass lawyers’ attempts in Britain to stop the Guardian newspaper’s coverage of a major scandal. We talk with writer and fundraiser Richard Wilson who started the Twitter thread. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Guardian coverage of twitter thread
• Richard Wilson’s Twitter feed