Shattered Somalia

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Just “hanging out” at IKEA in Beijing

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The Swedish home furnishing giant IKEA opened its Beijing store in 1999. A decade later, the store sees plenty of traffic. Thousands of Beijing residents come through the doors every day. It’s just that they’re not actually buying much of anything. Los Angeles Times Beijing Correspondent David Pierson tells us why IKEA is the hang-out of choice for many a Beijinger. Photo by David Pierson. >>> See more of David’s photos.

Perez Hilton’s foray into world music

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Perez Hilton is usually more at home dishing the latest dirt on Britney Spears or Madonna. But instead, next month, the celebrity blogger will be launching and promoting a world music tour. The line-up doesn’t include the kind of names that usually make their way onto Hilton’s website. Katy Clark talked with Hilton about his “Perez Hilton Presents” tour.

Finding the right words

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Sergei Mikhalkov, the Russian who wrote the words of the Soviet and Russian national anthems, has died at the age of 96. He first wrote the lyrics for the anthem when Stalin was Soviet leader, but later rewrote them to omit references to him. Mikhalkov also wrote the words for the current Russian anthem adopted in 2001. Alex Gallafent took a look at the troubled anthem. >>> BBC coverage

Entire program – August 27, 2009

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Today on The World: Why the Pentagon is asking a PR firm to rate the work of reporters embedded with US military forces; we hear about the violence and chaos that have made Somalia the prime example of a failed state. Plus, why IKEA customers in China spend so much time in the store — but seldom buy anything.

Iran’s supreme leader says West not clearly behind protests

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Iran’s Supreme Leader is raising doubts about allegations that the U-S and Britain were behind the street protests that rocked the country after June elections. The World’s Laura Lynch reports.

Pentagon collects info on embedded reporters

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The military newspaper “Stars & Stripes” reports that the Pentagon has asked a public relations firm to profile journalists embedded with U.S. forces and rate the tone of their coverage. Anchor Katy Clark finds out more from “Stars and Stripes” editor Howard Witt.

A poet’s songs honor two Russias

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After the death of a prominent Russian poet, The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on the changing shape of Russia’s national anthem.

Singapore’s science dreams

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Singapore is laying the foundation for a future economy based on science. It’s sending its own citizens abroad for a top education, and enticing some the world’s best minds in science to its shores. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro has more.

CIA used Canada’s cold expertise

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Scientists in Canada whose research in surviving cold water is aimed saving lives have learned that the CIA used their work to develop an interrogation technique. The World’s Carol Hills has details.

Somalia in ruins

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Robert Draper, author of an article on Somalia that appears in the September issue of the National Geographic Magazine. Draper travelled to Somalia to document the violence and chaos that have plagued the country for nearly two decades.

Pictures from Mogadishu for this story at nationalgeographic.com

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Colombia’s displaced people

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Colombia is second only to Sudan in the number of people displaced from their homes because of war and violence. This despite claims by the Colombian government that the long guerrilla war is winding down. Correspondent John Otis reports on the plight of Colombians who may never return home.

Lounging at IKEA in China

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Visitors to the IKEA store in Beijing, China treat the experience more like a vacation than a shopping trip. They dress up, have a meal, and spend the day relaxing. Anchor Katy Clark finds out why IKEA fans in China see the superstore as a getaway from LA Times reporter David Pierson.

(Photo by David Pierson) >>> See more of David’s photos.

So, have you ever gone to Ikea just to hang out? What did you do? >>>Leave your comment here

Geo Answer: Barcelona beach

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For today’s geoquiz we were looking for Barcelona’s most popular beach. The answer is Barceloneta. Many tourists who visit the Spanish city of Barcelona strip down, because it’s hot and – well – they’re on vacation. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports that the bare-it-all atmosphere is upsetting some Barcelona residents.

Geo Quiz archive