Michael Rass
Nuclear Standoff with Iran
President Barack Obama has said the US and its allies are developing a “significant regime of sanctions” against Iran for its nuclear program. He said the international community was unified over Iran’s “misbehavior”. Speaking in Washington, he said despite Tehran’s denials, it was clear Iran was working to build nuclear weapons. His remarks came after Iranian state media reported that Iran had started the process of enriching uranium to 20% for use in a medical research reactor.
Taliban insurgency
Afghan forces will begin taking control of security in some of the country’s provinces by the end of 2010, a key summit on its future has pledged. In a statement at the end of the one-day meeting in London, delegates said the process would be complete within five years. In December, President Obama announced he was sending an additional 30,000 troops to help battle the Taliban insurgency.
Mexican Mennonites
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The northern Mexican State of Chihuahua is one of Mexico’s most violent, riven by almost daily murders, kidnappings and armed robberies linked to Mexico’s drug trade. But Christian Mennonites, who above all are pacifists, are also a part of the state’s tapestry. The World’s Lorne Matalon traveled to Chihuahua to meet some of them.Download MP3
Lorne Matalon’s Mexico Stories
Lorne Matalon has been reporting from Mexico for The World since November 2007. He has covered the Mexican ‘war on drugs’ from the frontlines, going on patrol with the Mexican armed forces. Lorne also covered immigration and economic stories from south of the border. He has also reported from Venezuela for The World.
North Korea’s strategic arsenal
North Korea says it will continue to co-operate with the United States on ending its nuclear program and agrees that stalled talks need to resume. The country’s foreign ministry said Pyongyang would work with Washington to “narrow remaining differences”. In June, the UN Security Council voted to impose tougher sanctions on communist North Korea, following a nuclear test carried by the North Koreans in defiance of previous UN resolutions.
India’s Muslim community
One year ago, 10 militants arrived from Pakistan in Mumbai, India. They fanned out across the city to attack hotels and other targets. It took almost three days for the Indian authorities to end the violence. The Muslim community was terrified of a backlash, fortunately it never came. Miranda Kennedy reports on the lives of India’s Muslims in a three part series.
Gaza conflict
The UN Human Rights Council has backed a report into the Israeli offensive in Gaza that accuses both Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes. The report by Richard Goldstone calls for credible investigations by Israel and Hamas, and suggests international war crimes prosecutions if they do not. The United States and Israel opposed official endorsement of the report, saying it would set back Middle East peace hopes.
Created in China: part III
Innovation comes not just from infrastructure and investment – it comes from a culture that encourages originality and creativity, rewards risk-taking and tolerates failure. In the People’s Republic of China, that is still a work in progress. Today, we continue our series “Created in China” with a look at the roots of innovation, at how Chinese children are or are not encouraged to be creative, and how that’s evolving as the government makes innovation more of a priority. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing.
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.
German elections
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has outlined plans to form a swift coalition with the Free Democrats after a major win in the general election. Merkel said the result was a great vote of trust, and that a government would be formed by November. Voters were concerned about Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan and the bad economy.
Iran protests
Thousands of opposition supporters have clashed with security forces during a government-sponsored rally in Tehran. Iran’s reformists had been warned not to try to turn the pro-Palestinian Quds (Jerusalem) Day marches into anti-government protests. Reports say opposition leaders Mir-Hossein Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami were attacked. The opposition has been banned from holding rallies since the disputed presidential election in June.
How to help Somalia
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On the second day of her Africa tour Secretary Clinton met with Somalia’s President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed in Kenya as Somalia itself is too dangerous for foreign diplomats. After the talks Clinton said, the U.S. would expand support for Somalia’s UN-backed unity government. Robert Patterson is the U.S. Counselor for Somali Affairs. He tells anchor Marco Werman what Washington is doing to help the leader of one of the world’s most lawless nations. >>>The World’s Katy Clark on U.S. support for Somalia’s fragile government
Arrest over British jewellery heist
A man has been arrested in connection with a robbery at a central London jewellery shop in which items valued at $ 65 million were stolen, it has emerged. Police said the 50-year-old was arrested by officers outside a home in Ilford, east London. He was later released on bail. The robbery, carried out at Graff jewellers on London’s New Bond Street, was Britain’s biggest ever gem heist. The World’s Laura Lynch will have the story later today. (Audio available after 5PM Eastern) >>> BBC coverage
African traditional healers
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In many parts of Africa, when people get sick, there’s a good chance that they won’t go to the doctor for a visit or the pharmacist for a prescription. They’ll go to a traditional healer for some herbs or some prayers or a maybe a traditional healing ceremony. Jori Lewis witnessed such a ceremony in Gambia. >>>Click here to view her audio slideshow
Color Initiative
The Color Initiative is a series of reports that examine complex global issues of politics, culture, history and society through the framework of human perceptions and experiences related to color.
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