Health care for illegal immigrants?

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In his speech on health care reform President Barack Obama told Congress he planned to improve health insurance for those who have it and to create an insurance exchange to extend cover to those who do not. For today’s show, the World’s Matthew Bell did some fact checking on claims and counterclaims that illegal immigrants will be excluded from government health benefits under any new reform plan.

• BBC coverage
• The BBC’s Jonathan Beale analyzes the President’s speech
• Full text of the speech

International political decorum

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Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) has apologized for his outburst during President Obama’s speech last night. Wilson shouted “You lie!” after the President said illegal immigrants would not benefit from his health care plans. Alex Gallafent is looking at questions of political decorum thrown up by the incident.Download MP3

• BBC coverage

Green mobile home

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An eco-adventurer combines low-tech and high-tech to turn a scrap-yard bus into a green mobile home. Correspondent Laura Lynch visits the designer, before the start of his voyage around the world, using sustainable fuels and a low-carbon budget. (Photo: Laura Lynch)

• Follow the bio truck expedition online
• Environment stories on The World

China’s tiger economy

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It’s been a year since the global economic crisis started and China has weathered it better than most. According to Premier Wen Jiabao the Chinese economy grew more than 7 % in the first seven months of this year. Other countries have taken notice and some believe the center of economic gravity is shifting toward China. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from the World Economic Forum in the northern Chinese city of Dalian.

• BBC in depth: China and India emerging giants
• World Economic Forum
• The World’s Global Economy podcast

Portuguese petition

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A Portuguese fan of the Lisbon based band Deolinda started a petition. He wants their song to become the country’s new national anthem. It’s a mock petition, but the group’s singer says the song reflects a Portuguese trait. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the petitioning fan and the lead singer.

• Deolinda’s MySpace page
• Deolinda’s petition

Entire program – September 10, 2009

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Today on The World: a fact check on whether illegal immigrants will or won’t receive government benefits under Obama health care reform; Afghan journalists complain of double standards, after the rescue of a New York Times reporter and the death of his Afghan colleague; and one man’s quest to turn a favorite song into Portugal’s new national anthem.

Health care reform and illegal immigrants

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The World’s Matthew Bell does some fact checking on claims (and counterclaims) that illegal immigrants would be excluded from government health benefits under the health care reform plans being debated in Washington.

Foreign lessons in hospital efficiency

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Containing health-care costs is a key goal of reform efforts. The World’s Katy Clark reports on the work of Eugene Litvak, a Russian who works with US hospitals on ways to increase efficiency, improve patient care, and cut costs.

Decorum in Congress

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The World’s Alex Gallafent looks at questions of political decorum sparked by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s speech to Congress last night.

Sarkozy pushes for carbon tax

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French President Nicholas Sarkozy wants to impose a carbon tax on households and businesses that emit greenhouse gases. But the French say they feel too taxed already. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Guillaume Debre of the French TV Channel TF-1.

Green adventures

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The World’s Laura Lynch meets an eco-adventurer who’s combined low-tech and high-tech to turn a scrapyard bus into a green mobile home. Now he’s planning a voyage around the world using sustainable fuels and a low-carbon budget.
Follow the bio truck expedition online

More questions about Afghan rescue

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Afghan journalists are up in arms over what they call double standards after the rescue of a New York Times reporter and the death of his Afghan translator. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the head of the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association, Rahimullah Samandar, about the incident.

Lebanon’s prime minister steps down

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Lebanon’s prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri announced today he was stepping down after failing to form a government with rival groups. Hariri blamed the Hezbollah-led opposition for blocking his efforts. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

China stays ahead of economic slump

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It’s been just about a year since the start of the global economic crisis, and China’s doing better than most. Today, China’s premier said the country’s economy experienced 7 % growth since the start of 2009. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports.