Japanese Composer Asuka Kakitani Committed to Jazz Orchestras

Jazz orchestras are rare creatures nowadays: it’s hard to find the money or the venues to support them. But new jazz artists, such as Japanese composer Asuka Kakitani, are committed to the format, arguing that it offers a palette of sounds like no other.

If I Were President: British Schoolkids Imagine

In London, The World’s Alex Gallafent speaks with six new Presidents of the United States. Well, not quite. The six are 12- and 13-year olds from Northumberland Park Community School in the north of the city. They tell Alex how they’d act if they really could be president.

The World Votes: The US Presidency Overseas

Only American citizens are entitled to elect the American president. But presidential influence extends far beyond the borders of the United States. The World’s Marco Werman visits London, and speaks with people from across the planet about the US presidency and its effects on their lives.

Two Vacancies: J.K. Rowling’s Novel and a New Archbishop

‘The Casual Vacancy’ is not like Harry Potter. Rowling’s latest novel is decidedly for adults. The World’s Alex Gallafent talks with anchor Marco Werman about the type of local English government that forms the backdrop to the novel, and about related developments in the Church of England.

The World on Twitter: Thursday Aug. 30

Here are some of the stories we’re thinking about this morning through a selection of tweets from The World’s newsroom, Thursday August 30.

The Many Voices of Jacob Collier

The World’s Alex Gallafent looks at the online sensation Jacob Collier, a young Englishman who loves to sing and arrange. Collier has created an online hit with his version of Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely?”

Growing, and Sustaining, the Mormon Church in Chile

Latin America is one of the big growth areas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But in Chile, Mormons are trying to move beyond just signing people up to creating a more mature church.

Plenty of Olympic Gold Still Up for Grabs in London

The 2012 Summer Games draw to a close this weekend, but there are still many medals up for grabs.

London 2012: When the Party’s Over

This summer Britons have feasted on national celebrations including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London’s Olympic Games. When the Paralympic Games conclude in a few weeks, Britain will have to get back to reality. And that might not be easy.

London 2012: Italian Fails Doping Test and British Cycling Star Breaks Gold Medal Record

Anchor Lisa Mullins gets a round-up of news from the Olympic Games from The World’s Alex Gallafent in London. Italy’s Olympic 50km race walk champion Alex Schwazer failed a doping test ahead of his arrival in London and a British knight of the realm has won a record-breaking gold medal at the Velodrome.

How Yorkshire Athletes Boost the British Olympic Team

If the English county of Yorkshire were a nation in its own right, it’d be near the top end of the current Olympic medal table. Athletes from Yorkshire are responsible for much of Britain’s current success at London 2012.

London 2012: Celebrating the Amateur Athlete in Poetry

At the Olympic Games of 1908, held in London, the 400 meters final was contested by only one man. The World’s Alex Gallafent explains why. Plus Plus a touch of sporting poetry for the weekend in celebration of amateur athletes everywhere.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and his Olympic City

The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on events from the Olympic Games currently being held in London.

A 28-year-old cyclist was killed in a collision with a bus transporting members of the media away from the Olympic Park late Thursday. The accident has led to renewed debate in Britain about legislation governing bicycle safety. Plus a look at the growing political clout of London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Pie, Mash, And Liquor in the Olympic City

The World’s Alex Gallafent takes us to a traditional business in the East End of London: a pie and liquor shop.

How to Kill Time Between Olympic Events

Anchor Aaron Schachter gets an update on the talk at the Olympics from The World’s Alex Gallafent in London. Beyond the sporting news, Alex also takes a brief shopping trip to the official department store of the 2012 London games.