Geo Quiz
London’s Highgate Cemetery: Why the Grave of President Lincoln’s Chiropodist has Become a Tourist Destination
The film “Lincoln” has created an odd, new tourist destination in London’s Highgate Cemetery. It’s the grave site of Dr. Isacher Zacharie who tended to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Pufferfish Anyone? The Deadliest Meal in the World
Geo Quiz: A pop-up restaurant in London, Café de Mort serves up some of the deadliest meals in the world. The menu includes potentially lethal delicacies including pufferfish, curried ackee, and kluwak nut pasta. MasterChef Greg Wallace preparing the deadly menu.
The Case of the Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery figures in our Geo Quiz. Retired police constable John Wooley remembers when he cracked open the investigation nearly 50 years ago (1963). He discovered the train robber’s hangout and their hidden stash of loot.
‘Crotches Kill’: Canadian Campaign to Stop Distracted Driving
A racy new ad campaign aimed at distracted drivers is being rolled out across the Canadian province of Alberta. The slogan is Crotches Kill. The ads remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road and not down at their phones. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Parker Hogan. He’s with Alberta’s Ministry of Transportation.
Baku’s Terminology Commission Ditching Russian-Origin First Names
Geo Quiz: Name a Eurasian country that is introducing some linguistic measures to diminish foreign cultural influence. The BBC’s Leyla Najafova has details on a recent ban imposed by the “terminology commission” on Russian or foreign sounding names for new born babies.
A Boost for Electrical Vehicles in Northern Europe
A Northern European country that’s known for technical innovation is actively promoting electric cars by launching a national network of quick chargers across the country, among the first of its kind.
Karaoke Used to Support State Propaganda
For decades the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has employed his own personal composer to write songs extolling his policies. This is part of a larger campaign in which the Premier has used pop culture, songs and even comedians as propaganda.
New Contraception Law in the Philippines Shows Catholic Church’s Diminished Influence
The Roman Catholic Church is a powerhouse in the Philippines. But the recent passage of a controversial law that provides free contraception has called into question the Church’s social and political influence. It’s also put the spotlight on activists who have been challenging the Church’s power there.
Why Did Iran Ban Pistachio Exports?
What’s behind Iran’s latest decision to ban pistachio exports? Kamran Dadkhah, an economist at Northeastern University, says the temporary ban is a government effort to bring down the high price of pistachios in Iran’s deflationary economy.
Olympic Wrestlers Fight to Save Their Sport
US Olympic wrestler Elena Pirozhkova weighs in on the International Olympic Committee’s decision this week to drop wrestling as an Olympic sport in 2020.
Sleeping Eros: A Sculpture Dreaming About Love
We’re looking for the name of a famous Greek island that’s located in the eastern Aegean Sea just 10 miles or so off the coast of Turkey. A 2,000-year-old life size sculpture of Eros was found on this island.
Change and Tradition in Myanmar’s Mandalay
Our Geo Quiz takes you to Myanmar’s cultural capital, Mandalay. It’s a modern city that’s home to many traditional artists and performers, museums and monasteries. Bruce Wallace traveled there to see how the political changes happening elsewhere in the country are impacting Mandalay.
Remembering Zhuang Zedong, Hero of Ping Pong Diplomacy
Chinese table tennis player Zhuang Zedong has died at the age of 73. Zhuang was the Chinese player who helped start the famous “ping-pong diplomacy” episode in the 1970s. It is what led to Richard Nixon’s famous opening to China, and his historic trip there.
Lost and Found at India’s Kumbh Mela
It is estimated that as many as 20,000 people will get lost or be separated from their families and friends on the biggest day of the festival and will seek out assistance at the lost and found desk.
Where Chefs Eat
A new 600-page guide called “Where Chefs Eat” highlights restaurants where some of the world’s best chefs like to dine. One of those places was Boston’s Sapporo Ramen.
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