Newsline 31 August 2009: Exit polls show the Democratic Party of Japan has overwhelmingly defeated the Liberal Democrats who have governed for most of the past 50 years; the lack of provision for returning refugees in Afghanistan is fanning the flames of internal violence, and we report on a Dutch recreation of Charles Darwin's journey on The Beagle.
Listen to today's edition of Newsline
Political earthquake in Japan
The Democratic Party of Japan has swept to power in an historic victory over the Liberal Democrats who have governed almost unbroken since 1955. Prime Minster Taro Aso has conceeded defeat and will resign as his party's leader. Japan's next leader, Yukio Hatoyama,faces tough challenges such as record unemployment and a rapidly ageing population.
Listen to the Newsline interview.
What next for Afghan refugees?
The International Crisis Group is warning that thAfghan government must urgently adress the needs of returning refugees if it wants to prevent further internal violence and regional instability. Some 3 million refugees still remain in Pakistan and Iran, while 5 million Afghans have returned home.
Listen to the Newsline interview.
Sailing in Darwin's footsteps
More than 100 scientists and artists set sail tomorrow on a journey that will recreate Charles Darwin's round-the-world trip on The Beagle in the nineteenth century. What he discovered formed the basis of his evolutionary theories and the book On The Origin of Species.
Listen to a report by Willemien Groot.
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