Talk To America

Lookahead

10/13/03 - 10/10/03

Monday, October 13th: Washington through Foreign Eyes

Guests:

·· T.V. Parasuram: Washington Correspondent, Press Trust of India

· Khaled Daoud: Washington Correspondent, Al-Ahram (Cairo)

What are the stories and issues that people overseas really care about? What's it like for members of the International Press Corps who are based here in Washington, DC? How does covering the news here in the U-S compare to doing so in their native countries? What effect does their experiences here Washington have on them personally and professionally?

Tuesday, October 14th: Taikonaut! China's first manned space launch

Guests:

·· Frank Morring: Senior Space Technology Editor, Aviation Week

· Keith Cowing: Editor, SpaceRef.com

China's first manned space voyage has been provisionally planned for October 15. According to State television and travel authorities, the launch will be broadcast live on Chinese national television and by paying tourists at desert launch site. China is aiming to become the third country to send a man into space after the former Soviet Union and the United States. Officials consider the mission as a matter of national pride but are keeping the actual date and most details of the launch under tight wraps.

Wednesday, October 15th: Democratic Republic of Congo

·· Guests: TBD

Described by some as Africa's First World War, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has effectively been at war since 1996, as seven nations, three main rebel groups and numerous militias fight over a complex mix of economic, ethnic, state and factional interests, plunging the DRC into a humanitarian crisis. Since fighting began, at least 3.3 million people, mostly women, children and the elderly, are estimated to have died because of the conflict, most from disease and starvation. More than 2.25 million people have been driven from their homes, many of them beyond the reach of humanitarian agencies. And, despite the presence of UN peacekeeping troops, the bloodshed continues in this central African nation.

Thursday, October 16th: Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary as Pontiff

Guests:

·· Fr. John Langan, s.j: Georgetown University, Washington DC

· TBD

Pope John Paul II, who is favored to win this year's Nobel Peace Prize, will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his accession to the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. John Paul II was the first non-Italian to be named Pope in centuries and his reign as leader of one of the world's largest religions has filled history books and has at times has been considered to be quite controversial. Pope John Paul II is beloved and revered by the many thousands of his supporters but has also drawn criticism by a number of detractors, including those within the Church itself.

Friday, October 17th: Chasing Terrorist's Money

·· Guests: TBD

As the United States and its allies continue to wage war against terrorism, terrorist groups continue to grow wealthier, and more capable of financing large-scale missions of murder and mayhem. We'll talk about what is being done to stop the flow of money to terrorist organizations around the world.