Afghanistan's famous silk-road city of Bamiyan has enjoyed such safety in recent years that its main priority is not more foreign troops, but more foreign tourists. The World's Quil Lawrence reports from Afghanistan.

Shahr-e Gholghola, the “Screaming city,” so named because Ghengis Khan massacred its residents

Audio Slideshow: The sights of Bamiyan

Pakistan is struggling in its battle against extremists on its soil. This weekend's attack against a big hotel in Islamabad made it clear that the battle is not limited to the border regions near Afghanistan. Anchor Marco Werman gets the latest from the BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad.

There's an unusual cultural exchange under way right now. France has the largest collection of Alaskan Alutiiq artifacts in the world. Dmae Roberts has the story.

A court in France heard arguments today on whether to throw out a controversial annulment. A Muslim man got his marriage annulled earlier this year because he said his wife lied about being a virgin. Anita Elash reports the case provoked much outrage in France.

South African President Thabo Mbeki's is stepping down this week. He was essentially forced out by his own party, the African National Congress. Terry FitzPatrick reports from Cape Town.

CEO compensation has emerged as an issue as Washington debates a rescue plan for Wall Street. Marco Werman speaks with Professor Brian Cheffins of Cambridge University about whether executive "fat cats" are a big issue in countries outside the US.

President Bush says the "whole world" is watching to see if Republicans and Democrats in Congress can quickly agree on a rescue package for Wall Street. The World's Katy Clark reports on the other side of the equation: that is, what can other countries do to help the US rescue the global economy?

Today on The World: How other countries could help the US rescue the global economy; Pakistan struggles to fight extremists on its own soil; Plus a profile of the postal employee in Jerusalem whose job it is to open letters addressed to God.

Program makers at the BBC are required to follow strict editorial guidelines on fairness and impartiality - but not everybody is always convinced that they actually do so. BBC Radio 4's Feedback program airs listeners comments and critcisms - on the latest edition the Editor of Radio 4's The World Tonight responded to listeners' criticisms that the BBC's coverage of the Russia-Georgia conflict was biased against Russia. The conversation between host Roger Bolton and editor Alister Burnett offers some insight into the internal debates about BBC reporting.