Entire program – March 8, 2010

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Today on The World: Young soldiers back from Iraq and Afghanistan face a new battle back home finding a job; Also, an American teenager in Chile helps out after the earthquake there; And students work to counter “cyber-bullying” in South Korea.

Counting underway in Iraqi election

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The voter turnout in Iraq’s general elections was 62%, officials say, despite attacks that killed 38 people. Preliminary results are not expected for several days but the turnout figure is down from the 75% who voted in the 2005 general elections. Prime Minister Nouri Maliki’s State of Law Coalition is widely expected to win the most seats. Ben Gilbert is reporting from the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. Download MP3 (Photo: Ben Gilbert)

• Ben Gilbert’s photos from Kirkuk
• Ben Gilbert’s election coverage
• BBC coverage

Cyberbullying in South Korea

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Lawmakers in Massachusetts are trying to crack down on attacks through online networking sites. Politicians in South Korea have also tried to ban malicious online assaults. In recent years there’s been a string of high profile celebrity suicides there, which are believed to be the result of angry fans trashing those stars on message boards. Jason Strother has the story. Download MP3 (Photo: Jason Strother)

• BBC coverage
• The World technology podcast

Veterans on the job market

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Young American soldiers back from Iraq and Afghanistan face another battle at home:they’re trying to find work, at a time when unemployment is just under 10 %. Many of these veterans say they’d settle for just about anything that pays. Reporter Kirk Carapezza went to Fort McCoy (flickr image courtesy of markellis_1964) in Wisconsin to catch up with some of those who are about to start the difficult hunt for a job. Download MP3

• Fort McCoy
• Veterans’ Employment & Training Service (DOL)

Nightlosers

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Here’s a crazy ethno-musicology hypothetical for you: what would have happened if slaves from Africa had been taken not to the Americas, but to the Balkans? This is the Romanian band Nightlosers. They’re very popular in Romania. It’s not uncommon to find blues bands in many parts of the world. People around the planet just love the blues. But Nightlosers pull off a more nuanced trick. Download MP3

• Nightlosers on myspace
• Nightlosers on facebook

Reactions to Iraq’s election

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Anchor Marco Werman reports that observers around the world have moved reactions to the election in Iraq, and what it could mean for the United States and the Middle East.

“A Dead Hand”

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We speak with novelist and travel writer Paul Theroux about writing, travel, and about his new novel, “A Dead Hand”. It’s a thriller set in Calcutta… about a travel writer.

Book information: “A Dead Hand”

Internet services to Cuba, Iran and Sudan

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The Treasury Department announced today that US companies can now export some Internet services to Cuba, Iran, and Sudan. That includes instant messaging, chat, e-mail and social networking programs. The World’s Jason Margolis reports.

US teen helps after Chile quake

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Sam Seiniger, an American teenager who happened to be in Concepcion, Chile, when that city was struck by a massive earthquake. Since then, the young American has been helping out in the relief effort.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Geo answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Potsdamer Platz or Potsdam Square in Berlin, Germany. That’s where the German leg of the European Poker Tour was underway this weekend. Marco Werman speaks with journalist Howard Swains, who was on hand to cover the high-stakes poker rounds when armed robbers stormed the venue.

Scattered chips

For our Geo Quiz today we’re looking for one of Germany’s historic squares. This one’s just a short distance from the Brandenburg Gate.

Music Heard on Air for March 8, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For March 8, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Mady Kouyate, Thomas Fledmann & Dabrye, Lamine Konte, Kila, Bab Djan.

The Iraqi election in Kirkuk

President Barack Obama hailed a “milestone” in the history of Iraq, as it completed its second parliamentary election since the 2003 invasion. He praised the courage of voters who turned out despite bomb and mortar attacks that killed at least 35 people. Reporter Ben Gilbert has been covering the election for The World from the northern city of Kirkuk.

Entire program – March 5, 2010

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Today on The World: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown defends Britain’s role in the Iraq war; Also, how soldiers feel about the Oscar-nominated film, “The Hurt Locker”; Plus 95-year-old British dancer Frederic Franklin on his life on stage, past and present.