Cuban Barbers to Gain More Freedoms

We’re taking a little off the top and trimming the sideburns for today’s Geo Quiz. Barbers in the Caribbean city we’re looking for will have a little more freedom come December 1st…

New sanctions against North Korea

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The US will impose new sanctions on North Korea, following the crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. The move was announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a visit to South Korea. An international inquiry blamed North Korea for sinking the Cheonan warship in March, with the loss of 46 lives, but Pyongyang has denied any involvement. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• UN condemns attack some website
• North Korea’s agenda

North Korea’s agenda

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the international community must respond in the growing crisis over the sinking of a South Korean warship. She said there was “overwhelming” evidence that North Korea was to blame, and urged Pyongyang to halt its “policy of belligerence”. But why would North Korea torpedo a South Korean ship and kill dozens of sailors? Matthew Bell is exploring Pyongyang’s agenda. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• No easy options
• North Korea discussed in US-China talks

Clinton urges China on North Korea

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Download MP3The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is working hard to avoid an escalation after a report blamed North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship. After talks in China, Clinton urged countries in the region to contain “the highly precarious situation created by North Korea”. China is the only country with any real leverage over North Korea and so far Beijing has refrained from criticizing its neighbor. Marco Werman talks with The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Beijing. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• North Korea – secretive state
• South Korean official blames North Korea

North Korea’s Kim visits China

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A train believed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has left the Chinese city of Dalian and is reportedly bound for Beijing. Neither North Korea or China has confirmed Kim’s presence in the country, but media reports suggest he will meet top Chinese leaders. He arrived in China on Monday, traveling on his special train. Mary Kay Magistad reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• North Korea: secretive state

Kim Jong Il, “fashion icon”

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A North Korean website says the “Dear Leader” began a global fashion trend with his zippered jumpsuits. Many North Koreans apparently believe it. North Korea watcher and author Barbara Demick explains how authorities there have mastered the art of propaganda. Download MP3

• BBC profile of Kim
• “Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea” book info

Whatever happened to Elian Gonzalez?

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For today’s Geo Quiz — we were wondering whatever happened to Elian Gonzalez? Ten years ago this month US authorities took Elian from his Miami relatives and returned him to his father’s custody in Cuba. He’s now 16 years old and some snapshots of him have been published on a Cuban government website. We speak with the BBC’s Michael Voss in Havana. Download MP3

• See photos of Elian Gonzalez
• Wikipedia: Elian Gonzalez

North Korea’s failing currency

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The North Korean government recently knocked two zeros off its currency, the won. And it ordered citizens to turn in their old cash savings. The move caused panic and riots, now the North Korean government has apparently fired the official who led the currency revaluation program. Katy Clark talks with Marcus Noland who is an expert on North Korea’s economy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Peterson Institute for International Economics

East German guesthouse nostalgia

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The World’s Europe Correspondent, Gerry Hadden, is in Berlin working on stories for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. He spent last night in the Ostel hotel. It’s a hotel refurbished to resemble a guesthouse in 1970s communist East Germany. Gerry gives us a tour. Download MP3 (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

• See photos from Ostel
• The World’s Coverage: First breach in the Iron Curtain