Tensions in Iraq on the eve of key provincial elections this weekend; South Africa struggles to deliver on its promise to redistribute land from minority white owners to black farmers; And hip hop takes root in Myanmar, despite censorship by the Burmese government.

Rupa Jha introduces a montage of voices who talk about why peddle power matters in New Delhi, India. The bicycle is fundamental to one of the city's essential economies - the newspaper delivery industry. The program features deliverers who take us on their route across New Delhi. They share stories of what impact the bicycle and their job has had on their lives. For one 19 year old it is a way of funding his studies, and for another deliverer the income has helped to support his family.

There were never going to be rich but how are bicycle messengers fairing in the midst of the present economic crisis? In this Radio 4 documentary the shared anxieties of messengers from New York and London are recounted in the context of the global economic meltdown.

Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Alice Russell -- the latest of Britain's "blue-eyed soul" singers.

Today's answer is Roquefort, a village in southwestern France that's been producing "the king of cheeses" for centuries. The price in the US has gone up quite a bit lately. That's because the Bush administration hiked the import duty on this French cheese during its final days. The World's Adeline Sire has the story.

Our daily geography quiz.

The World's Matthew Bell tells us about one aspect of the massive stimulus package that passed the House last night. The provision would require that infrastructure projects paid for by the U.S. government use American-made steel and iron.

Global economic crisis

Greenpeace Switzerland held its annual Public Eye Awards in Davos, Switzerland this week. The award was set up to shame companies considered the Public Eye jury deemed environmentally irresponsible. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

Marco Werman hears about the very loud dust-up that occurred today over Gaza at the World Economic Forum in Davos from, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy Magazine. This is Naim's 20th consecutive year attending Davos.

BBC coverage of World Economic Forum