On air: Have Africans been priced out of their World Cup?

It’s one of the most sought after tickets of the year. Not only is it the World Cup – but the first one in Africa. Today sees 100 days to kick off. But who’s going to be there? Are you or anyone you know?

What future Afghanistan?

The talking goes on, as the search for solutions to Afghanistan’s problems go on. And as World leaders gather around the table in London, a few miles down the road we’re getting around the table with young Afghans.

What future Afghanistan?

What future Afghanistan?

“Terror in the Skies” – a UFO story

Help us on The World Today to write a story about UFOs. We’re using the news that the Ministry of Defence in London has released previously secret files on Unidentified Flying Objects, to write our own rolling fictional adventure.

The first two paragraphs below have been written by Nick Pope, a writer who used to run the Ministry of Defence UFO department.

Somalia – how can the reporter help?

Isa Ali Gedi lives in the Somalia capital Mogadishu. He told us: “I’ve lost 50% of my life. I’ve lost some of my kids. I’ve lost my house, my job. I live like the cats and dogs. I live in a hopeless place.” After we thought the interview had finished, Isa said he wanted to ask us some questions. “What can the BBC do for me?” “What can I tell my three kids?” So what is the role of the journalist? To help or to report?

Have you got a head for figures?

Can you do sums without using your fingers? Or do you need them to count on or to press the buttons on your computer or calculator? Just for a bit of fun – see how fast you are at our unscientific maths test.

Will sub-Saharan Africa prosper?

A piece in the Financial Times this week says that the focus on the bad news stories in Africa is distracting from more positive developments across the continent. Francis Beddington says a combination of economic stability, new technology and the African entrepreneurial spirit is fuelling economic growth and creating a business environment ripe for investment.

AIDS in Africa–your questions to the UN

AIDS is likely to cause one in six deaths in Africa by 2015. The continent’s most prominent policy-makers are meeting in Uganda at a major conference. We’re interviewing the UN’s top man on AIDS in the region, Peter Piot. What do you want to ask him? Post your questions and we’ll put them to him.

How do you stop world hunger?

Global food prices are at their highest for thirty years. The UN says 800 million people don’t have enough to eat on a daily basis. It’s the biggest threat currently facing the world and many of our leaders are in Rome talking about it; probably over a meal or two. But what’s the answer to the global food crisis?