Sea Turtle Poaching and High Demand in China

The Chinese have a taste for turtle, and that’s led to a rise in poaching endangered sea turtles off the coast of the Philippines. Some Philippines military leaders think the poachers may also be doing lead work for the Chinese military.

Philippines Wary of China’s Stance in the South China Sea

China’s big appetite for energy is expected to double over the next quarter-century. It already imports more than half of its oil and natural gas, and it’s looking to the resource-rich South China Sea, claiming almost the whole thing as its own. But Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines also have claims there.

Thoughts On The 9/11 Anniversary from Around the World

The BBC has received many emails and online comments about the September 11th anniversary from around the world.

Famous Vietnam Dissident Jailed for Promoting Political Reform

The son of one of modern Vietnam’s founding fathers is in prison for speaking out against the Communist government.

Dylan plays safe in Vietnam

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Many of Bob Dylan’s biggest hits were written and recorded in the 1960s during the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Last night the folk music hero performed in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and he played it safe. Dylan did not play Masters of War or Blowing in the Wind. BBC reporter Nga Pham went to the show and talks to Marco Werman about the expectations some Vietnamese had. Download MP3

What song do you think he should have played in Ho Chi Minh City?

Vietnamese birdsong

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We’re looking for a southeast Asian city for today’s Geo Quiz. The Saigon River flows through it and the city’s name honors a Communist leader. Early in the morning people come together with wicker bird cages to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Download MP3

Audio slideshow: Birdsong in Vietnam

Tech Podcast: Blogger may face death penalty in Iran

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On this week’s technology podcast, we’ll have an update on Hossein Derakhshan, aka Hoder. Widely considered to be the “godfather” of Persian-language blogging, Hoder is now in an Iranian prison. Reports from his family inside the country say he may be facing the death penalty. We’ll have that story, plus a whole lot more global tech goodness.

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Tech Podcast: Giant humanoid electricity pylons

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In this week’s podcast, Iceland says “nei” to boring electricity pylons. The country’s sponsoring a contest for innovative new girder designs for holding up electricity lines. We’ll hear from one of the finalists, whose design calls for giant humanoid shaped pylons to stride across the Icelandic landscape. (Photo: Choi Shine)

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The Girl in the Picture

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The picture of a girl screaming as she ran naked down a road after suffering extreme burns in a napalm attack became the one of the most famous photos of the Vietnam War. When the image was taken in 1972 a British TV news crew led by War Correspondent Christopher Wain was filming as well. Wain helped to save nine-year-old Kim Phuc’s life that day – but they haven’t seen each other for nearly 38 years. Now, exclusively for BBC Radio 4, the pair has been reunited. Download MP3

• Nick Ut describes the day he photographed Kim Phuc
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Vietnam’s second largest city

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For today’s Geo Quiz, we’re looking for Vietnam’s second largest city. At one time, it was the capital of North Vietnam, but now it’s the capital of the entire country. This is an old city… really old.

Ca Tru

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An ancient form of Vietnamese music is making a comeback. Ca Tru was once the music of royal courts. Later, it became the music of prostitutes and courtesans. When the Communist Party first came to power, it banned the music. But in recent years, the government’s eased up on its moralistic stance. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad checked it out on a recent trip to Hanoi. Download MP3

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Smoking ban in Vietnam

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Many Americans will wake up tomorrow and pledge to give up cigarettes. It’s a traditional New Year’s resolution — something individuals vow to do on their own. In Vietnam, January first brings a new national effort to control smoking. A new law takes effect tomorrow that bans smoking in many public places — schools, factories, libraries, offices, hospitals, on public transportation. And a year from now, the government plans to extend that ban to bars and restaurants. It’s a big change for a country with one of the highest smoking rates anywhere. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Hanoi. Download MP3

Robert S. McNamara

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara was an architect of the Vietnam War who came to regret it later in life. He was a towering, complicated, enigmatic figure. This week’s How We Got Here podcast tackles his legacy. Listen

Robert McNamara dies

The World’s Jason Margolis has this look back at former Secretary of State Robert McNamara, who died today at the age of 93. McNamara served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, and came to be vilified for his role in escalating the war in Vietnam.
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The legacy of Robert McNamara

Anchor Lisa Mullins speak with documentary filmmaker Errol Morris about the life of Robert McNamara. Morris made the Academy-award winning documentary “The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara.”
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