Entire program – July 30, 2010

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Today on The World: How foreign media are reporting this week’s top US stories – the WikiLeaks controversy and Arizona’s immigration law; Also, microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus makes a guest appearance on The Simpsons; and a TV production project highlights community strengths in a Kenyan slum once plagued by ethnic violence.

American headlines abroad

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The WikiLeaks story has been grabbing headlines – nationally and internationally – this week. So has Arizona’s controversial immigration law after a federal judge put key parts of the measure on ice. For more on how these stories are being covered beyond US borders we turn to Stephan Bachenheimer, US correspondent for Germany’s Deutsche Welle, and to Angela Kocherga, who covers Mexico and the border for KHOU TV in Texas. Download MP3

• The Wikileaks files and government transparency
• Pakistanis mostly unconcerned over Wikileaks
• Interview with Mexico’s foreign minister Patrica Espinosa

Thailand Cambodia border dispute over temple

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There have been heated exchanges between Thailand and Cambodia over an ancient temple on their border. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia, rejecting Thai claims. Now Cambodia’s World Heritage bid reignited Thai resentment and there have been small armed clashes in the area during the past few years. Mary Kay Magistad reports. (flickr image: travelskerricks) Download MP3

• BBC pictures of Preah Vihear
• More about Preah Vihear

Muhammad Yunus and Lisa Simpson

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Bangladeshi anti-poverty banker Muhammad Yunus is to feature in an episode of The Simpsons in October. One of the Nobel peace laureate’s many admirers is actress Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson. We caught up with Smith who just returned from Bangladesh. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• The Simpsons homepage
• Grameen Foundation
• Stop Poverty Now

Slum TV gives voice to Kenya poor

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In Kenya, the rural poor from different tribes are brought together in urban slums where ethnic tensions flared in 2007 following disputed election results. One of the worst affected areas was the Mathare slum in Nairobi. While international media focused on machete attacks in Mathare, a local non-profit called Slum TV told the stories of residents who helped each other survive. The World’s Matthew Brunwasser has the story.(Photo: Matthew Brunwasser) Download MP3

• Slideshow: See Matthew Brunwasser’s photos from Mathare
• Video: The best barber shop from Slum TV
• Donkey traffic
• Eco-Islam in Africa

Wikileaks controversy continues

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The founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, appeared on TV today to reject criticism by the Obama Administration that his group’s leak of secret US military documents made things more dangerous for US troops and Afghan informants. The World’s Alex Gallafent has an update.

‘Bookseller of Kabul’ author to pay damages

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A court in Norway has ordered Norwegian journalist Asne Seierstad to pay damages of about $40,000 to a member of an Afghan family she wrote about in her 2003 book “The Bookseller of Kabul.” The World’s Carol Zall has more.

Lebanon and Syria relations warming up

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Lebanon and Syria are improving relations after the 2005 assassination of Lebanon’s former prime minister Rafik Hariri. The murder was blamed on Syria, which Syria denied. Still, the two countries cut ties. But today, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad visited Lebanon for the first time since Hariri’s assassination. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with reporter Ben Gilbert who’s in Beirut.

Unlikely leader for US exports

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President Obama talks about reviving the nation’s economy by focusing on exports, the majority of which are sent by cargo ship. Surprisingly, the US state that, by one measure, leads the country in exports is a land-locked state with no major port access. The World’s Jason Margolis takes us to Kansas. (Photo: Jason Margolis)

• Global Economy podcast

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Geo Answer

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For today’s geoquiz we were looking for the name of the neighborhood in Cuba’s capital city of Havana that enjoyed days of glitz and glamour before the Cuban revolution. Today it’s a favorite hangout for surfers looking to catch the waves off the coastal avenue of Old Havana. The answer is Miramar. Author Michael Scott Moore explored the surf culture in Havana on his journey to trace how surfing has spread around the world. He chronicles his travels in his book “Sweetness and Blood.” Anchor Marco Werman speaks with him.

• Listen to Michael Scott Moore reading an excerpt from his book
• Geo Quiz Archive

Dara Puspita

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Host Marco Werman tells us about 1960s surf music from Indonesia: the all-girl garage band Dara Puspita may be the rockingest garage band you’ve never heard of.

Music Heard on Air for July 30, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For July 30, 2010. Artists featured are Jesse Cook, Nguyen Le, Kila, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Fania All Stars.

Havana neighborhood

The Geo Quiz is upscale this time: We’re looking for a glamorous neighborhood. At least it had that reputation before the revolution. We’re talking about the Cuban revolution. And the neighborhood in question is in Havana. Today, there are several posh hotels, overlooking some beautiful beaches. And there’s a surfer’s club, too. (Photo courtesy Havana Surf Club)

Entire program – July 29, 2010

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Today on The World: Mexico pays close attention to Arizona as the legal battle over the new immigration law there continues, Also, how Italy enforces its own strict immigration law; and in Japan a new documentary on the country’s controversial “dolphin industry” is packing theaters and sparking protests.