French mountain pass

We take the high road for today’s Geo Quiz. There was a lot of huffing and puffing going on earlier today along the mountain road we want you to name. It’s 7,000 feet up in the central Pyrenees. And for the cyclists competing in the Tour de France it was one very tough day of cycling.

Entire program – July 21, 2010

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Today on The World: The US announces new sanctions against North Korea; Also, Japan hopes a former North Korean spy can help solve some Cold War mysteries; Plus, why oil-rich Venezuela is facing a major power shortage and rolling blackouts.

New sanctions against North Korea

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The US will impose new sanctions on North Korea, following the crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. The move was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a visit to South Korea. An international inquiry blamed North Korea for sinking the Cheonan warship in March, with the loss of 46 lives, but Pyongyang has denied any involvement. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• UN condemns attack some website
• North Korea’s agenda

The dangerous global asbestos trade

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Experts suggest asbestos exposure largely in poor countries could lead to more than a million new deaths by 2030. Steve Bradshaw and a team of journalists investigated the asbestos industry for a joint report by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and the BBC’s International News Services. The World’s Anchor Marco Werman interviews Bradshaw.(Photo: Sonumadhavan/ICIJ) Download MP3

• Preview images from the coverage
• See the BBC’s coverage here
• See the ICIJ’s coverage here

Venezuela’s energy crisis

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Rolling blackouts have been a daily reality for 25 million Venezuelans since last winter. That’s when a prolonged drought began to cut the output of the hydroelectric dam that provides 70 percent of the country’s electricity. The World’s Marina Giovannelli reports. Download MP3

• Venezuela’s gas guzzlers
• Natural gas platform sinks off Venezuela

The Mandingo Ambassadors

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During the early 60s, many West African governments ran music contests resulting in some groups being dubbed ‘national orchestras’. Guinea’s Mamady Kouyate, one of the big players of that era, can now be found playing in a small bar in Brooklyn. The World’s Alex Gallafent saw the show. (photo: Alex Gallafent) Download MP3

• Mandingo Ambassadors on MySpace
• Barbès bar and performance space in Brooklyn
• Global Hit on Facebook

China nervous over naval drills

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The US and South Korea will begin joint naval exercises this weekend to send a message to North Korea that further aggression will have serious consequences. The claim refers to the March sinking of a South Korean warship by North Korea. China is not happy about the war games, saying it will increase tension in the area. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Orville Schell of the Center on US-China Relations at the Asia Society, about China’s reaction. (photo: Alex Gallafent)

Japan seeks help from former North Korean spy

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Akiko Fujita reports that the Japanese government is hoping a former North Korean spy will help solve a mystery of what happened to several Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea during the Cold War.

British hacker case

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The World’s Clark Boyd reports on the latest in the case of British citizen Gary McKinnon. He stands accused by US authorities of “the biggest military hack of all time.” He’s been fighting extradition to the United States for more than four years. Now, Britain’s new Prime Minister has raised the issue with President Obama.

• Clark Boyd’s Technology Podcast

Cold snap causes deaths in South America

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Reporter Brian Byrnes reports from Buenos Aires on a cold snap that’s spread across many countries in South America. Dozens of people have died in Chile, Paraguay and Argentina.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

DNA test planned for former Romanian dictator

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Scientists in Romania are hoping that DNA tests can confirm the identities of remains long believed to be that of former Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elena. The couple were executed by firing squad on Christmas Day 21 years ago, and a hasty burial cast doubt on their final resting place. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Iona Avadani, Director of the center for independent journalist in Bucharest.

Geo Answer

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For today’s Geoquiz we’re looking for a walled city in the Marche region in Italy, deemed a World Heritage Site for its remarkable legacy of Renaissance culture. The answer is Urbino, Italy. The city is SUPPOSEDLY the setting for a painting that’s part of an exhibition at Britain’s National Gallery, but THAT’S come into question. The exhibition is called “Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries.” The World’s Alex Collins tells us how scientists have helped art historians discover more of the story behind works of art.

• Altered ‘Woman at the Window’ painting
• Fake ‘Duke of Urbino’ painting

Music Heard on Air for July 21, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For July 21, 2010. Artists featured are Steve Dyer, Boubacar Traore, Pierre Phalese, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Kila, Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni ba.

Raphael’s hometown

This is for you art lovers; Renaissance art to be specific. Today’s Geo Quiz takes us to an Italian city often seen as a symbol of the Italian Renaissance.