Created in China: Part II

China’s ruling Communist Party wants to build a more innovative economy. But it’s used to governing through fiats and five-year plans, and that’s kind of how it’s proceeding here. Over the past decade, it’s spent billions of dollars creating science parks and research labs, and giving researchers tight deadlines to come up with new ideas. Not surprisingly, results in the state sector have been a bit lackluster. Since this push started a decade ago, China has yet to release a new killer app, an invention or innovation so compelling that those outside of China can’t wait to use it. Some say – give it time; China’s come quite far, quite fast. Others say, there are still structural roadblocks on China’s path to innovation, and the government would do well to remove them, if it really wants innovation to take off. In the second part of our series, “Created in China,” The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing.

Assessing US intelligence on Iran

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Iranian state media today said the military has successfully test-fired Shahab and Sejil missiles, which are capable of reaching much of the Middle East, including Israel and American bases in the Gulf. The move comes just days after revelations of a secret nuclear enrichment program, and just days before multi-party talks on Iran’s nuclear program that will involve the United States. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Charles Duelfer, a former US intelligence officer and weapons inspector. Download MP3 (AP Photo/Fars News Agency, Ali Shaigan)

• Latest coverage from the BBC
• Q & A on Iran and the nuclear issue
• Latest coverage from The World

Yom Kippur: Kids and bikes in Tel Aviv

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Today is Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar. In Israel, the “day of atonement” means that much of the country simply stops. Stores are closed, there’s no school, no newspapers and no Israeli television. And much less traffic. In and around Tel Aviv, the holiday has turned into a festival of bicycles for children. The World’s Matthew Bell will have our story.Download MP3

• See more of Matthew’s photos
• See some videos Matthew shot
• More information about Yom Kippur

Created in China: Part I

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China invented paper, printing, the compass and the seismograph. China was among the first to harness fossil fuels, and map the stars. And then, about 500 years ago, it lost its innovative edge. Now China hopes once again to lead the world in creativity. In this five-part series, The World’s Asia Correspondent Mary Kay Magistad examines the history of Chinese innovation. Download MP3

• Read the transcript and see photos

Crude World: An interview with Peter Maass

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Author Peter Maass has spent eight years trying to understand the politics and economy of oil production across the globe. The result is his new book, Crude World: The Violent Twilight of Oil, in which Maass tries to explain what we do for oil and what oil does to us. Later today, anchor Jeb Sharp will have an interview with Peter Maass. Download MP3

• Peter Maass’ website
• Q & A with Maass on Crude World

Entire program – September 28, 2009

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Today on The World: Iran’s new missile tests ratchet up the diplomatic tension; Korean families, North and South, have brief cross-border reunions; And we begin a week-long series on China’s desire to be more than the world’s factory.

Middle East powers

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The World’s Alex Gallafent provides a quick review of the strengths and weaknesses of each nation in the Middle East.

Oil interview

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Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Peter Maass, author of “Crude World: The Violent Twilight of Oil,” about the politics and future of a petroleum-based economy.

Geo Quiz and answer

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President Obama gave each leader at the G-20 summit last week a present. Each got a glass tree made by a German artist. For today’s Geo Quiz, we ask where the artist made the glass presents. The answer is Atlanta, Georgia. For more on the etiquette of giving, anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Peter Post, director of the Emily Post Institute.

Korean family reunions

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North Korea and South Korea are restarting a family reunions program. Jason Strother introduces us to someone who’s going, and to a more pessimistic person who’s already gone.

Global Hit

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The World’s Marco Werman introduces us to Senegalese hip-hop artist Sister Fa, who has used her music to educate young people about the issues she cares about, such as female genital mutilation.

Classy gift giver

Today’s Geo Quiz is our gift to you. President Obama is earning a reputation as a classy gift giver. Earlier this year, he gave Queen Elizabeth an iPod loaded with Broadway show tunes.

Sister Fa

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Music Heard on Air for September 28, 2009

Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for September 28, 2009

Created in China

China invented paper, printing, the compass and the seismograph. China was among the first to harness fossil fuels, and map the stars. And then, about 500 years ago, it lost its innovative edge. Now China hopes once again to lead the world in creativity. In this five-part series, The World’s Asia Correspondent Mary Kay Magistad examines the history of Chinese innovation.