The ‘Great Successor’ Poised to Rule North Korea

Young and untested, Kim Jong-un has all but taken over North Korea’s leadership as he leads a hearse carrying the coffin of his late father.

Reaction to the Funeral of Korean Leader Kim Jong Il

Lisa Mullins talks to The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing about the funeral of Korean leader Kim Jong-il and the reaction to it in Korea and beyond.

Istanbul’s world heritage sites in neglect

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Julia Rooke reports on the sorry state of many of Istanbul’s historic treasures. The city linking Europe and Asia features architectural gems dating from Roman times to the Ottoman empire. But many are in such bad shape that Istanbul may lose its status as a UN World Heritage Site. Download MP3

Turkey’s World Heritage sites
Istanbul’s Unesco World Heritage status under threat

Join the Science Forum conversation

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We have a lively discussion on nuclear power going on in our Science Forum. Three listeners who heard the story share their thoughts. The conversation continues through next week. Join Now. Download MP3

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Science Forum: nuclear power in Asia

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Many Asian nations have big plans for nuclear power. Marco Werman talks about the trend with nuclear analyst M. V. Ramana of Princeton University.
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What do you think about the tradeoffs of nuclear power? And should the U.S follow Asia’s lead? Bring your thoughts and questions to our online Science Forum discussion with Dr. Ramana, and his colleague, Dr. Alexander Glaser.
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Three listeners share their thoughts

Krispy Kreme’s global reach

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The allure of sugary fried dough knows no geographic bounds. That’s the starting point for our Geo Quiz. Many cultures have their own versions of fried doug but what we’re talking about is the growing international popularity of good old American-style doughnuts. Can you tell us, which nation just got its very first Krispy Kreme store? It’s in Asia. (Photo: Lynac/Flickr) Download MP3
Video: Waiting in line for Krispy Kreme doughnuts

Science Forum with tiger expert John Seidensticker

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China and Russia have announced a plan to set up a cross-border protection zone for Siberian tigers. The plan is part of the Global Tiger Recovery Program that’s attempting to save the remaining wild tigers in parts of Asia. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with tiger expert, John Seidensticker, an advisor to the Global Tiger Initiative. Download MP3
And you can talk about tigers with him in our latest online Science Forum discussion.

• The World’s Science on Facebook
• Defusing the Population Bomb
• Global Tiger Initiative
• Read the chapter 1 of John Vaillant’s ‘The Tiger’

US and Japan close to ending dispute over military base

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A dispute between the US and Japan over a controversial military base may soon be resolved. It’s a US air base on Okinawa, Japan’s southern island. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the issue during her visit to Japan today. Akiko Fujita reports from Tokyo.

An Asian city

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The Asian city were looking for in today’s Geo Quiz is right smack in the center of … South Korea. It’s about a hundred miles from the capital Seoul. Highways and railways linking the two cities make it easy to travel back and forth… Download MP3

Laotian bomb hunters

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When you have no money and no opportunity to make any, you’ll do just about anything to survive. That can include risking your life for a few dollars a day. This is what many kids and adults do in the southeast Asian country of Laos. They trek into the forest to look for scrap metal they can sell for cash. The danger is that that scrap metal consists largely of bombs left over from the Vietnam War. And many of those bombs never exploded. Mary Stucky reports from Laos’ Boualapha Province on this deadly business.

• People of Laos suffer bomb legacy
• The Mines Advisory Group

Disguising the durian fruit

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Roadside stands across southeast Asia are currently full of durian fruit. Many love the taste of the durian. But for some, the smell presents, well, challenges. The smell has been likened to old socks, smelly cheese and a diaper pail…all rolled into one. Now, some of the region’s top chefs are thinking of clever ways to disguise the durian’s distinctive odor, in a bid to get more people to eat it. Nancy Greenleese reports.

Afghanistan prepares for elections

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Afghanistan is gearing up for nationwide elections later this month. It’s only the second time Afghans will select a president since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. There’s been a sharp rise in violence in the run-up to these elections. Still, with only two weeks until election day the campaign is in full swing. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports from Kabul. >>>Click here for more of Aaron’s stories from Afghanistan.

Take a ride with US medics in Afghanistan

Last month was the deadliest for US and allied forces in Afghanistan since the war began. At least 42 American troops and 23 more international troops died in July, most in the volatile Helmand Province in the south. Five more were killed there over the weekend. The World’s Aaron Schachter spent last week embedded with a team of army medics working just behind the front lines in southern Helmand. >>>Click here to see a narrated slideshow.

Global Political Cartoons: July 18 – 24, 2009

Cartoonists find poignancy in the timing of the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing and the death of veteran newsman Walter Cronkite. President Obama goes in for some image polishing, North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have a long-distance war of words, and rumors of doping haunt the Tour de France.

>>>Start the cartoon slideshow.

Secret talks with the Taliban

Reporter Charles Sennott, just back from Afghanistan, briefs anchor Marco Werman on back-channel talks between Afghan government officials and moderate Taliban leaders. Listen