Global Hit: Shimon Peres

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Israeli President Shimon Peres celebrated his 86th birthday a week ago. He’s been in Israeli politics for more than half a century. Turns out, that whole time, he’s also been writing poems. And some of those poems have now been set to music. Daniel Estrin has today’s Global Hit.

Carribean island

We’re going to the Caribbean for today’s Geo Quiz. Our focus today is a little piece of the Netherlands, located in the southern Caribbean Sea. It’s an island — one of several Dutch territories in the Caribbean. The capital is Willemstad.

The musical poetry of Shimon Peres

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For today’s Global Hit, a head-of-state turned lyricist. Israeli President Shimon Peres celebrated his 86th birthday last week. He’s been in Israeli politics for more than half a century. Turns out, that whole time, he’s also been writing poems, inspired by historical events he’s witnessed first hand.

Music Heard on Air for August 24, 2009

A List of Music Featured Between our reports for August 24, 2009

Fighting blindness in Ethiopia

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Health problems that afflict the world’s poor have received unprecedented attention in recent years. Governments and foundations alike are pouring billion of dollars into the fights against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. But medical workers who focus on lesser known diseases say their efforts remain as difficult as ever. Reporter Odette Yousef traveled to Ethiopia to follow the struggles of one American organization that’s fighting trachoma, a leading cause of blindness in Africa.

Afghanistan’s post-election mood

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Afghanistan’s election day was marred by widespread and deadly Taliban attacks, patchy turnout and claims of serious fraud. The BBC’s Caroline Wyatt is in one of Afghanistan’s most troubled provinces, Helmand, in the southwest of the country. Yesterday, Caroline described how voters went to the polls despite the background of violence and intimidation. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Caroline Wyatt on the Afghanistan’s post-election mood. >>> Read more Afghanistan election coverage

Senegal’s overharvested Atlantic fishery

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For generations, people in the West African country of Senegal have made their living from the sea. But, as in much of the world, the region’s fish stocks are in crisis … leaving the Senegalese scrambling for solutions. Jori Lewis reports on Senegal’s struggling fishery industry. (Photos: Jori Lewis) >>> See photos from Senegal

Disguising the durian fruit

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Roadside stands across southeast Asia are currently full of durian fruit. Many love the taste of the durian. But for some, the smell presents, well, challenges. The smell has been likened to old socks, smelly cheese and a diaper pail…all rolled into one. Now, some of the region’s top chefs are thinking of clever ways to disguise the durian’s distinctive odor, in a bid to get more people to eat it. Nancy Greenleese reports.

Gender controversy shrouds South African runner

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South African’s Caster Semenya is at the center of a gender controversy. On Wednesday, Semenya won the women’s 800 meters at the 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin. Now, Semenya’s been asked to take tests to prove she’s a woman. We’ll speak with Farayi Mungazi, host of the BBC African sports program Fast Track. AP Photo/Markus Schreiber. >>> The latest from BBC Sport.

Feel like you’re walking in circles? You might be…

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A new study by scientists in Germany has confirmed that when people get disoriented in the woods or other natural environments, they really do tend to walk in circles. The researchers sent volunteers into a German forest and the Sahara Desert and tracked their movements with a GPS. When the hikers had no visible sun or distant landmark to guide them, they circled back on themselves while thinking they were walking in a straight line. David Baron reports on this newly published study. (Photo: Jan Souman) Click here for a large Google Earth image of “walking in circles” >>> See more photos from the experiment

Tarzan in Paris

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We end today’s show with a visit to an exhibit at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris. It’s a look at Tarzan of the Apes. Correspondent Genevieve Oger checks it out.

Entire program – August 21, 2009

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Today on The World: The mood in Afghanistan as the ballots are being counted; Russia’s own version of the American Cash for Clunkers program; and the controversy surrounding South African runner Caster Semenya… is she really a she?

The day after the vote

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Millions of Afghans cast their ballots in yesterday’s presidential election…though turnout appeared weaker than in the election five years ago. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with the BBC’s Caroline Wyatt about the mood today in Helmand province as Afghans wait for the results of the vote.

US awaits Afghan election results

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President Obama has made Afghanistan one of his top national security priorities. And the new US strategy there will likely be affected by the kind of government that results from this election. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports.

Recycling Russian cars

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Reporter Jessica Golloher tells us about a new program in Russia aimed at getting Russians to turn in their gas-guzzlers for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles. It’s modelled on the US Cash for Clunkers program.