DDT use provokes political battle in Uganda

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The pesticide DDT, long banned in the United States, has made something of a comeback in Africa. DDT can be an effective weapon against malaria. The U.S. government, and the World Health Organization are encouraging African countries to use the insecticide, and say it is safe when handled properly. But in the East African nation of Uganda, DDT has provoked a fierce political battle. Reporter Alison Hawkes traveled to northern Uganda.

Reality check on DDT use

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So what’s the reality when it comes to DDT? Is it really necessary for fighting malaria? How dangerous is it to people? We run those questions and others by May Berenbaum, head of the department of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She studies the relationship between insects and people. (Photo: Sinclair Stammers/Science Photo Library) >>>Ask May Berenbaum about DDT use in our latest World Science Forum.

DJ Grant Dull spins digital cumbia

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Grant Dull (pronounced “dool”), one of the masterminds behind the Zizek DJ collective in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Producers and remixers from around the globe who have made Buenos Aires their new home all rethink the centuries-old rhythm of cumbia. Zizek’s just released a new CD as they wind down a successful summer of touring and getting clubbers throbbing to cumbia mashups. >>>Click here for more on Zizek.

A skateboarding park

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Bigflips, air and ollies figure in today’s Geo Quiz. In the world of skateboarding: to air means to jump or ollie, like off of something like a ramp. The sport’s only been around since the forties and fifties. The city we’re looking for in today’s quiz … in contrast …. dates back some 3,000 years. >>>Click here to watch a video

Zizek DJ

A few months ago we told you about a club night in Buenos Aires. For those in the know, that night goes simply by the moniker “Zizek.” Zizek is the name of the collective of DJs, producers and remixers from around the globe who now make their home in the Argentina. Cumbia — the traditional [...]

Entire program – August 7, 2009

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Today on The World: Pakistan’s Taliban chief is reported killed by a CIA missile strike; A DDT debate in Uganda pits villagers against the government; and London’s West End theaters are packing them in.

Pakistan’s most wanted reported killed

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The head of the Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud, is reported to have been killed by a US missile strike. The World’s Matthew Bell reports on what it could mean for the overall US mission in the region.

Future of the Taliban in Pakistan

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with MJ Gohel, director of the London think tank, the Asia-Pacific Foundation, about what the apparent death of the Baitullah Mehsud might mean for the Pakistani Taliban.

Putin’s 10th anniversary in power

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Vladimir Putin is celebrating an anniversary today. The Russian prime minister has been at the top, or near the top, of the power pyramid in Russia for a decade. Jessica Golloher reports on Mr. Putin’s successes and failures. And we sample a satiric song about Mr. Putin.

Stumping for US bases in Colombia

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John Otis reports from Colombia about President Alvaro Uribe’s efforts to win support from other South American nations for putting some new US military bases in his country. But he’s apparently finding it a hard sell.

Packing ‘em in in London’s West End

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with a British arts correspondent about the current boom in London theater ticket sales.

Hillary Clinton in South Africa

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in South Africa today as part of her 11-day tour of the African continent. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Peter Fabricius, foreign editor of the Johannesburg Star.

A DDT debate in Uganda

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In Uganda, a government program to battle malaria using the pesticide DDT has provoked a fierce backlash. Farmers, politicians, and villagers fear the government is poisoning them. Yet many public health experts say the risks of DDT are far less than the risks of malaria. Alison Hawkes traveled to northern Uganda and sent this report.

An entomologist’s take on DDT

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So what’s the reality when it comes to DDT? Is it really necessary for fighting malaria? And how dangerous is it to people? Anchor Marco Werman gets some answers from May Berenbaum, head of the department of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.