Elephants threatened in Kenyan drought

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One of the worst droughts in living memory is taking its toll on both people and wildlife in Kenya. Clashes over land and water lead to the deaths of 32 people last week. Meanwhile, at least 24 elephants have either starved or been shot by poachers looking for food. The BBC’s Peter Greste has the story.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

The changing history of sports

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with author Tim Harris about some influential (and little-known) men, women and animals responsible for changing the face of sports around the world.

Geo answer & global hit

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A singer from Tajikistan — the answer to our Geo Quiz — has become an unlikely celebrity in Russia. He’s been dubbed Tajik Jimmy and he’s made the move to St. Petersburg to try his hand at stardom. Anchor Marco Werman tells us about the latest You Tube sensation.

Central Asia

We’re looking for the smallest nation in Central Asia, about 3,400 miles south west for today’s Geo Quiz destination. Like many of its neighbors, Afghanistan being one, this place has challenging terrain. More than ninety percent of it is mountainous…

Music Heard on Air for September 21, 2009

Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for September 22, 2009

Women and the U.N., comparing economic crises, Bertolt Brecht

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The U.N. General Assembly authorized a new U.N. agency for women last week. We’ll look at the years of advocacy that led to it. The World’s Jason Margolis helps answer a listener’s question about how this economic crisis compares to past ones, especially in terms of U.S. debt. And The World’s Alex Gallafent rereads Bertolt Brecht on the Crash of 1929.

Tajik Jimmy

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Anchor Marco Werman introduces us to Tajik Jimmy. A migrant worker from Tajikistan who moves to Russia and sings male/female voices from Bollywood tunes. Tajik Jimmy has become a YouTube sensation. Download MP3

• Watch the YouTube video
• New York Times article

Global Political Cartoons: Sep 12-18, 2009

This week’s cartoons is show how difficult it is for President Obama to heal the US health care system, discipline Wall Street, or satisfy his European allies. We also see Israel defend itself against a UN report and who needs new footwear? The just-freed Iraqi shoe thrower.

>>> Click here to start the cartoon slideshow

Clashes erupt at Iranian opposition rally

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Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with security forces during a government-sponsored rally in Tehran. Iran’s reformists had been warned not to try to turn the pro-Palestinian ‘Jerusalem Day’ marches into anti-government protests. Meanwhile, President Ahmadinejad delivered a speech in which he reiterated his claims that the Nazi Holocaust was a “myth”. The World’s Laura Lynch reports. (AP photo shows opposition supporter on June 15)Download MP3

• BBC coverage with amateur footage of the opposition rally
• More about the protests in Iran
• FAQ: Iran election aftermath

Iran’s missile weapons

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President Obama has shelved the Bush adminstration’s plan for an Eastern European missile defense system, saying a redesigned system would be more effective against any threat from Iranian missiles. Iran’s military says its Shahab-3 missiles have a range of 1,240 miles, this means that they could reach south-eastern Europe. Stanford University professor David Holloway recently authored a report on Iran’s nuclear and missile potential. We asked him for a reality check. Download MP3

• Iran’s arsenal of missiles
• FAQ: US missile defense

Building consensus at the UN Climate Conference

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The UK Secretary for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, is in Washington ahead of December’s UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. He will meet environment ministers of the world’s largest economies to build consensus for an effective global agreement. We speak with Mr. Miliband. Download MP3

• Ed Miliband’s website
• BBC coverage
• UN Climate Change Conference 2009

Dancing boys of Afghanistan

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Ghaith Abdul-Ahad writes for The Guardian newspaper in London. His latest story is about Afghanistan’s “dancing boys” or “bacha bazi.” These boys are mostly between the ages of 14-18, and are hired to dance at private parties. It was an ancient tradition banned by the Taliban. But now it’s back. Older men in northern Afghanistan are hiring out young male dancers to entertain them, and to have sex with them. (Photo: Ghaith Abdul-Ahad) Download MP3

• Read The Guardian article

Italy’s Lorenzo Jovanotti goes on ‘Safari’

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Italy’s Lorenzo Jovanotti used to dream of becoming his country’s answer to the American rap group The Beastie Boys. Jovanotti’s sound has changed over the years. His latest release is called Safari. The World’s Marco Werman has more. Download MP3

• Jovanotti’s official website
• Audio clip: Jovanotti on growing up in Vatican City
• Video: Jovanotti live in concert in Rome

Entire program – September 18, 2009

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Today on The World: Competing demonstrations in Iran as tens of thousands of people took to the streets for rallies both FOR and AGAINST the Iranian government; Also, a top British official tells us about efforts to craft a new international agreement on how to tackle climate change; And, we meet an Italian musician who started out with an American-inspired dream…to rap like the Beastie Boys.