World Books Review: Life Under Mao

Bi Feiyu’s satiric novel about village life during the Cultural Revolution is uneven, but he displays an uncanny understanding of young women and the way they use their sexuality to try to take control of their lives.

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• Bill Marx’s Arts Fuse magazine

Chinese leader meets US officials

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Chinese president, Hu Jintao, met with senior US officials, including Larry Summers, director of President Obama’s National Economic Council today. The US and China have disagreed about a number of economic matters, like trade imbalances and currency policies. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Washington Post Asia diplomatic correspondent John Pomfret.

Global economic outlook still tepid

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Simon Johnson, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund about the current global economic outlook. Johnson says that despite some good news internationally, the global economic outlook remains tepid.

• Global Economy podcast

‘Mohammed’ cartoonist gets German media prize

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Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard penned a controversial cartoon of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed a few years ago. It sparked protests from Muslims in several countries. Now Westergaard has been awarded a German media prize. The award fuels the ongoing debate about Islam and freedom of the press. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

• Global Political Cartoons on The World

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

European State of the Union

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The World’s Clark Boyd reports on the European Union’s first ever “State of the Union” address from EU President Jose Manuel. EU officials hoped for an inspiring speech but they were also worried about how many European members of parliament would actually show up to hear it.

Geo Answer

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The answer to today’s Geoquiz is Nairobi, Kenya, where cell phone users are chatting up a storm following a drastic drop in cell phone rates. The arrival of an India-based telecom giant has triggered a price war. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from the BBC’s Josphat Makori.

• Geo Quiz Archive

Music Heard on Air for September 8, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For September 8, 2010. Artists featured are Nguyen Le, Yoshida Brothers, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Alison Brown, DIG, Omar Sosa y Greg Landau.

Learning in two languages

Most American children don’t learn foreign languages, and the opportunities are decreasing. Schools are cutting back on language programs, especially French and German. But immigration and globalization are creating new circumstances for language learning, along with new challenges. >>>In our four-part series, we hear about some of them.

East African capital

For our geo quiz today, we want you to name an East African capital which was once under British rule.This city has about 4 million people and it’s growing fast. Which is why this capital has been increasingly buzzing with the sound of cell phones…

Entire program – September 7, 2010

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Today on The World: Concerns that a fragile peace in northern Iraq could shatter with the withdrawal of US troops; Also, how one public school in California is trying to improve the education of students who don’t have a firm grasp of the English language; Plus, a rapper from Romania who’s started his own Roma pride campaign.

Securing Kirkuk

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After seven and a half years, the American combat mission in Iraq formally ended a week ago. However, just under 50,000 US troops will remain to train and advise Iraqi security forces. One focus of attention is the northern city of Kirkuk which some fear could become a future flashpoint. The BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse has spent time with the US Army in Kirkuk. Download MP3

• Video: Gabriel Gateshouse joins a multinational military patrol in Kirkuk
• Joint patrols in northern Iraq
• The struggle for Iraq

North Korea succession

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North Korea appears to be gearing up for a major political milestone. A big meeting this week is expected to formally announce ailing leader Kim Jong-il’s youngest son as his heir. If the transition proceeds smoothly, it would be the first time in Communist history that power passes to the third generation in a dynasty. But that’s far from a sure thing. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing. Download MP3

• BBC video: North Korea poised to name new leader?
• Kim Jong Il in China again

English language learners at American schools

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The fastest growing segment of the American public school population is English Language Learners. These ELL students, the majority of whom are born in America, sit side by side their native English-speaking classmates, but their test scores lag far behind. The U.S. Department of Education has now launched a civil rights investigation of the ELL program in Los Angeles. Officials say only 3% of ELL students at LA schools are proficient at Math and English by the time they reach high school – but some public schools doing far better than others. Nina Porzucki reports from one of them in Downey, California. Download MP3

• Downey Unified School District
• The World in Words podcast

French cathedral’s gargoyle causes stir

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A Muslim stonemason in France has been immortalized by having his face carved as a gargoyle on the side of a medieval cathedral. However a far-right group in Lyon has said the carving, which includes the inscription ‘God is Great’, is an affront to the Catholic Church. Anita Elash reports. (photo: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images) Download MP3

• ‘Muslim’ gargoyle adorns French cathedral