Easing restrictions on Cuba

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Washington formally eased restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting relatives and sending money to Cuba. As part of changes first announced in April, Washington has also relaxed rules for U.S. telecommunication companies doing business with Cuba. Marco Werman speaks to Miami Herald reporter Frances Robles about how Cuban-Americans are responding to the new rules. (photo: AP)Download MP3

• Frances Robles’s Miami Herald story
• BBC coverage
• Cuba after Fidel Castro

Dealing with CO2 emissions

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Human beings emit over 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. It’s a global problem, connected with sea level rise and changing global temperatures. There have been many calls for reductions in CO2 emissions, but others look to technology to sequester or trap CO2 below the earth’s surface. Ashley Ahearn reports how some of the most promising research in this field is happening in Iceland. Download MP3

• CO2 fixation in basaltic rock in Iceland
• Fighting Global Warming by Turning CO2 into Stone
• BBC animated guide to climate change

Dutch cartoon trial

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An Arab organization is to be put on trial in the Netherlands over its publication of a cartoon which questions the Holocaust. The Arab European League (AEL) said the decision to prosecute illustrated bias against Muslims. It said the same standards were not applied to the Dutch politician Geert Wilders (pictured), who made a film including cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Arab European League
• Latest global political cartoon slideshow on The World
• More global political cartoons on The World

Entire program – September 4, 2009

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Today on The World: New rules on travel to Cuba are in effect lifting some restrictions on Cuban Americans; Also, Iceland explores new ways of storing carbon-dioxide underground; And a cross-cultural musical collaboration.

New Cuba rules ease restrictions

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Miami Herald reporter Frances Robles about the new rules in effect now for travel to Cuba. The new rules allow Americans with family in Cuba to go there as often as they want, and stay as long as they want.

Colombian presidential term limits

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The World’s William Troop reports on the debate in Colombia over presidential term limits. There’s a push to allow Colombian President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third term in office. Critics say that would open the door to future dictators to trample Colombian democracy.

Father carries cross for FARC hostages

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The father of a Colombian soldier who has been held by the FARC rebel group for almost 12 years is carrying a cross through the country to remind people of those hostages still being held in the jungle. John Otis reports from Colombia

Storing CO2 underground

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There are two ways to reduce carbon dioxide. Emit less or remove it from the atmosphere by sequestering it below the earth’s surface. As Ashley Ahearn reports, some of the most promising research in this field is happening in Iceland.

NATO investigates Afghan tanker attack

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Chris Morris in Afghanistan about an NATO attack against two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban. The attack led to blasts that killed several civilians, and NATO has opened an investigation.

Cartoon tensions in the Netherlands

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Prosecutors in the Netherlands say they will charge an Arab cultural group for hate crimes because of a cartoon on their website which has offended Jewish groups. Arab groups say prosecutors are guilty of double standards. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Commemorating the Great Escape

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The World’s Laura Lynch reports on a reunion of Holocaust survivors in London today. Participants were among more than 600 Jewish children who were transported to safety thanks to the efforts of a British stockbroker… a man who is now 100 years old.

Geo Quiz and Geo answer

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Our daily puzzler. The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Leipzig, Germany. Today marks the 20th anniversary of historic protests that took place in the then-communist East German city of Leipzig. Anchor Marco Werman explains how the protests helped to bring about the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Onion story

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Corrections are part of the news business. But a couple of newspapers in Bangladesh are apologizing for making a BIG mistake this week. Here’s a quick summary. They printed a story that said astronaut Neil Armstrong had held a news conference to announce that his moon landing was just an elaborate hoax. Armstrong was quoted saying, “It really was one small step for man, one giant lie for mankind.” The problem was… the story came from the satirical news website, The Onion. The editors in Bangladesh didn’t realize it was a joke.

Global Hit: Zakir Hussain

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Master tabla player Zakir Hussain talks to anchor Marco Werman. Hussain’s latest project is a collaboration he did with banjo player Bela Fleck and upright bassist Edgar Meyer. Their CD is called The Melody of Rhythm.

Tough Choices for US in Afghanistan

President Obama faces tough choices in Afghanistan. Things are not going well for the US-led mission there. There’s either a long, hard an expensive slog ahead. Or a pull-back that comes with its own risks.

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