The World's Patrick Cox introduces us to a multi-racial hip hop band from South Africa called Tumi and the Volumes.

Today's answer is the Thames River in England. Massive flooding throughout England has forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Anchor Aaron Schachter speaks with volunteer Kevin Lewis. He's using his British Army amphibious vehicle to help get people to safety.

Anchor Aaron Schachter speaks with Israeli cartoonist and graphic artist Rutu Modan about her comic book novel, "Exit Wounds." It tells the story of a young Israeli taxi driver whose estranged father may have been the victim of a suicide bombing. The author says she drew her inspiration from real life events in Israel.

Our daily geography puzzler.

The BBC's David Loyn reports on the plight of Iraqi translators who've worked with the United States. Their work puts their lives at risk. The American ambassador in Baghdad has urged the Bush Administration to grant visas to all the Iraqis working for the US government. But for now, many Iraqi translators are on their own.

Lt-Gen Odierno

US Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno says Iraqi insurgents are getting better at attacking targets inside the most secure sector in Baghdad, the Green Zone. Odierno says that is directly related to training in Iran. Anchor Aaron Schachter finds out more from Washington Post correspondent Tom Ricks.

Anchor Aaron Schachter speaks with filmmaker Joanne Shen about the life and legacy of Hong Kong graffiti artist Tsang Tsou-choi. Tsang died today at the age of 86. He wrote his Chinese-style calligraphy around Hong Kong for the past five decades, and was was the subject of a documentary by Shen a few years ago.

Some four hundred million computers worldwide are running Microsoft software. Among the company's best known products is Microsoft Office. But for many in the developing world, that software is prohibitively expensive. So Microsoft has decided to try out a "pay as you go" software plan in South Africa. The World's Technology Correspondent Clark Boyd has more.

The World's Alex Gallafent reports on the debate over permanent US military bases around the globe. The Pentagon has almost 800 such installations, many in countries where US forces once fought. This week the House of Representatives voted to ban permanent US bases in Iraq.