The Purpose of Fat Bear Week

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The Economist's John Defterios explains the purpose of fat bear week. He says it helps bring Alaska to people in a way that before social media and the internet really wasn't possible. It also raises awareness for conservation, he adds. And if our listeners want to weigh in on fat bear week where should they go? We'll see you back here tomorrow.

Our correspondent reports from eastern Congo, where a three-decade-long conflict has killed thousands, and forced more than five million people from their homes--with no end in sight. Researchers are searching for better analgesics: ones that reduce pain without the risk of addiction or corollary physiological damage. And a contest in southern Alaska to select the internet’s favourite fat bear.