Dealing with Iran

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President Obama has put Iran on notice: start meeting demands on nuclear activites by 2010 or face the possiblity of crippling sanctions. The World’s Matthew Bell looks into US options now that the deadline is passed. Download MP3 (HO/AFP/Getty photo shows President Ahmadinejad at Natanz enrichment facility) Images

• BBC coverage
• FAQ Iran and the nuclear issue
• Background Brief: Nuclear standoff with Iran

The Jordanian connection

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The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents in Afghanistan was an al-Qaeda double agent, media reports say. He is said to have been a doctor from Jordan, arrested there a year ago. He was then reportedly recruited by the Jordanians and CIA, who wrongly thought they had turned him, and given a mission to find al-Qaeda leaders. Marco Werman talks with the BBC’s Saad Hattar in Amman about Jordan’s role. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Central Intelligence Agency
• Background Brief: Taliban insurgency

Entire program – January 5, 2010

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Today on The World: A deadline is missed and the nuclear stand-off with Iran continues; Also, a look at how India’s booming economy is altering how India’s elderly live their twilight years; Plus from Tuvan throat singing to Tuvan electronica.

‘I boarded a plane with an aerosol can’

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After the foiled attempt on Christmas Day to bring down transatlantic flight 253 bound for Detroit, there have been many calls for better safety measures. More careful screening of passengers and their belongings passing through airports was immediately implemented. But as this BBC report from Colette Hume shows, security is still not exactly where it should be. Download MP3

• Read Colette Hume’s online report and watch a short video
• BBC Magazine: Would you trust the human eye to spot a bomb?
• Best of the BBC on The World

Retirement in India

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While retirement homes for the elderly are commonplace in the US, they are a new, and growing, phenomenon in India. Reporter Elliot Hannon visits one of the newly constructed Indian retirement communities to see who’s moving in. Download MP3

• Illustrated transcript
• Photo gallery of the retirement community featured in this story

Zapatero and Bean: Separated at birth?

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Visitors to Spain’s European Union presidency website have been greeted by an image of hapless fictional character Mr. Bean (right?) instead of Spain’s Socialist leader (left?). An unidentified person briefly hijacked the site on Monday, replacing Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero with that of the bumbling comedy buffoon, played by British actor Rowan Atkinson. The World’s Gerry Hadden has our story. Download MP3

• Spain’s EU presidency website
• Screen shot of the “altered” website on Monday
• Video: Zapatero transforms into Mr. Bean

Danish cartoonist attacked

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A Somali man, armed with an axe, broke into the house of Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard — one of the artists involved in the controversy over cartoon depictions of the Prophet Mohammed four years ago. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

Iran presidential website hacked

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A cyber intruder hacked into the website of Iranian President Mahmood Ahmedinijad. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

Pets more popular in Middle East

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Pet ownership is rising around the world, especially in the Middle East. In fact, it’s rising faster than the public’s understanding of what pets need to be happy and healthy. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports.

London zoo conducts census

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At last count, the London Zoo was home to 15,107 animals. This year’s headcount is expected to be the biggest ever. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

Geo Quiz

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Where will our Geo Quiz take us today?

Geo answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz we’re looking for the country that’s THIRD in international ticket sales for the blockbuster film, Avatar. The first is France — number two is Germany, and third is Russia – the answer to our Geo Quiz. Oleg Sulkin writes about film for the Russian magasine Itogi.

Letter adds force to Iran’s opposition movement

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The World’s Alex Gallafent examines the impact of a critical letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader published by a group of Tehran University professors.

Huun Huur Tu and Carmen Rizzo

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You may have heard Tuvan throat singing, a style that involves a performer vocalizing several notes at once. But YOU probably have never heard Tuvan throat singing like this.