The Cossacks were disciplined warriors who served the tsars of Russia proudly. Today they're held up as a patriotic example for young Russians to follow. The BBC's Steven Eke visited Cossack communities in southern Russia to see what sets them apart.

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC's Alastair Leithead about today's gathering of delegates from Afghanistan and Pakistan in Kabul, Afghanistan. Afghan leader Hamid Karzai urged delegates from both countries to "join hands" in the fight against Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants.

Pervez Musharraf

The World's Matthew Bell reports that President Pervez Musharraf is rejecting calls to impose a state of emergency in Pakistan. Musharraf is under pressure, both domestically and internationally to respond to a series of recent attacks by Islamic militants and al Qaeda. But he's also under pressure to allow democratic elections and a more open political process in the country.

For today's Global Hit, we meet musician Basya Schechter. She fronts the band Pharaoh's Daughter.
Her new CD combines layered musical textures with lyrics steeped in the Judaic tradition.

Today's answer is the Yangtze River in China, once home to an endangered species of fresh water dolphin. The World's David Leveille reports that an international team of researchers have now confirmed that the Yangtze River dolphin is no longer endangered...it's extinct.

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC's Razvan Scortea about the life of Romanian entertainer Florian Pittis, who died Sunday at the age of 63. Many Romanians remember Pittis fondly because he helped get them through the dark days under Communism.

A recent TV survey in Portugal revealed that many Portuguese have fond memories of the late dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. He ruled the country from 1932 to 1968. The World's Gerry Hadden looked into why the Portuguese are still pining for a leader with strong hand.

Our daily geography puzzler. Today, we're looking for the longest river in Asia.

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki travelled to Tehran today for meetings with top Iranian leaders. The security situation in Iraq topped the agenda. The United States accuses Iran of supplying weapons to militias in Iraq. Anchor Lisa Mullins discusses Iraq's relations with the United States and Iran with the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus.