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

Prized treasures return to Baghdad

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Several hundred archaeological treasures went on display briefly in Baghdad today. Many of them were looted after the war in Iraq started in 2003. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Jane Arraf of the Christian Science Monitor, who managed to get a peak at some of Iraq’s returned treasures.Download MP3

• Boston Globe story
• Iraq bids to stop Christie’s sale of ancient earrings

A ‘How-to’ guide for Moscow city life

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Women from Russia’s countryside who have moved to Moscow are awaiting the publication of new book aimed at helping them adjust to life in the big city. Reporter Jessica Golloher has the story. (photo: Éole/Flickr)

Florida church plan draws protest

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A small church in Florida church says it wants to counter the evil of Islam by burning copies of the Koran on September 11, the ninth anniversary of the attacks in New York and Washington. That’s sparked protests in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Anchor Marco Werman gets reaction from Shibley Telhami, professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo Answer

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The answer to today’s Geoquiz is the British city of Coventry one of the worst hit during World War II’s German blitzkrieg. A new exhibition at London’s Transport Museum revisits that time. The BBC’s Andrew Hosken went to see it. Download MP3

• Geo Quiz Archive

Connect R

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on a Romanian rapper named Connect R. He’s a member of the Roma, or gypsy, minority group. And he’s started his own Roma pride campaign.Download MP3

• Connect R on MySpace
• Global Hit on Facebook