Languages of Europe

Japanese Schoolgirls Grow Up

The Japanese schoolgirl image was made famous by comic books and cartoons. But not everyone thinks they’re so kawaii (cute). What do Japanese women make of this archetype? Lisa Katayama met three young art stars whose work reclaims and re-invents female pop imagery, in some disturbing ways. But don’t call them feminists. → See a […]

Sticker Me Beautiful: Purikura

The Lion

Pico Iyer: Outside Man

Voting Ballots, Now & Then

Keeping Up With the Sarah Joneses

The Tony Award-winning writer and performer (“Bridge & Tunnel”), briefs Kurt on her experiences at the Aspen Ideas Festival, a gathering of big thinkers who meet to tackle big problems. Sarah Jones transforms from a self-deprecating Brit to a Jewish grandmother, to a young male rapper. (Originally aired July 18, 2008)         […]

Philadelphia Schools to Open On Schedule Despite Financial Woes

Kids all around the country are getting ready to head back to school. But until recently, it was unclear whether the Philadelphia school system would be able to open its doors. William Hite, the superintendent of Philadelphia city schools, said he would need $50 million to meet the minimum staff requirements needed to operate schools […]

The World

High School Bands: ’70s Girl Punk Edition

Arts, Culture & Media

We had to find out the story behind “Debutantes in Bondage” by the ’70s punk band The Welders.

European Union prepares to adopt 24th official language as costs mount, calls for English rise

Global Politics

In the European Union, every language is an official language. Government officials speak in the official language of their country, and those comments are then translated into 22, soon to be 23, other languages. All of that costs $1.4 billion per year — and that total will increase when Croatian becomes an official language later this year.

Turkish TV show Behzat C draws ire of censors, adoration of public

Arts, Culture & Media

Behzat C is one of the most popular shows on Turkish TV, with the public at least. Among government censors, however, it’s a popular target. It’s not your typical Turkish TV show.