The World

10 ESSENTIAL STORIES

By Harriet Barovick, Laura Fitzpatrick, Alexandra Silver, Claire Suddath, Frances Romero, Kristi Oloffson and Kayla Webley Monday, June 21, 2010

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    At a rare session of parliament on June 7, several key government positions changed hands in a series of moves widely seen as clearing a path for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's youngest son Kim Jong Un to one day succeed his father. Despite longtime speculation that the leader, who had a stroke in 2008, is seriously ill, the secrecy surrounding him makes it difficult to predict a timetable for his departure.

    * | What They're Unveiling in South Africa:

    Just days before the start of the World Cup, host nation South Africa rolled out the continent's first high-speed train. Under construction since 2006, the $3 billion project has been gummed up by strikes, environmental concerns and technical snafus. The 100-m.p.h. train now runs the nine miles between the international airport and Sandton, the Johannesburg business hub, slashing travel time from an hour to 15 minutes. When the rail line is finished, it will stretch 50 miles.

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