Archive for September 16th, 2009


Afghanistan election fraud claims

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karzai-poster150Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s campaign team has condemned as “irresponsible” claims by EU monitors that about a quarter of all ballots cast in the presidential vote in August could be fraudulent. The UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission has suggested that ballots from 10% of polling stations in the presidential vote need to be recounted. Jason Margolis looks at how serious a blow this is for Afghan democracy.
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Baucus health care bill

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baucus150Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), a key figure in the drive to reform the American health care system, has published his version of a bill. Katy Clark speaks with health care management consultant John Sheils to sort out the question that sparked Congressman Wilson’s angry outburst – whether health care reform will cover illegal immigrants. Download MP3
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Catholic relics tour

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relicsThe UK is getting its first Catholic relics tour since the reformation. The relics will then go on a month-long tour of 28 venues, starting on Wednesday at Portsmouth Cathedral. The Catholic Church said huge crowds had flocked to see the casket, which contains portions of bones of St Therese, in the 42 countries it had visited. Laura Lynch reports from Portsmouth, UK. Download MP3


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Japan’s first lady

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miyukihatoyama150Miyuki Hatoyama, the wife of Japan’s new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, is something of a Renaissance woman: designer, former actress, cookbook author, television personality – and perhaps most controversially a self-professed space traveler who claims to have visited Venus with aliens. Akiko Fujita has the story from Tokyo. Download MP3
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Sandy Brechin: Scottish accordionist extraordinaire

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jimishandrixFor today’s Global Hit, Scottish accordionist Sandy Brechin stops by The World studios in Boston to talk about the instrument’s place in traditional Scottish music. He also chats about traditional Scottish dancing, and about one of his bands called “The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience.” Download MP3


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Entire program – September 16, 2009

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Today on The World: New preliminary election results — and more allegations of voting fraud — in Afghanistan; Also, how Japan’s new first lady breaks the traditional mold; And one of Scotland’s best-known accordion players performs in our studio.

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More doubts over Afghan vote

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New preliminary election results in Afghanistan show incumbent president Hamid Karzai winning re-election without a second round of voting. But allegations of fraud continue to mar the electoral process. Now European Union observers say that up to a quarter of the ballots cast are suspect. The World’s Jason Margolis has details.

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Reaction to Afghan election results

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with Sarah Chayes about new preliminary results showing incumbent president Hamid Karzai as winner of last month’s presidential election. Chayes is an adviser to the international forces, ISAF in Afghanistan and head of a non-profit organization for women in Kandahar.

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A makeover for Mecca

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Anchor Katy Clark has details on a debate that’s likely to continue for years: how best to modernize Mecca, Islam’s most holy city.

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Japan’s new first lady

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Japan has a new prime minister today. Akiko Fujita reports that the new prime minister’s wife is likely to change the traditional role of Japanese first lady.

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Where are the bears?

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Conservationists are worried that Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest may soon be a misnomer. Anchor Katy Clark speaks wtih Ian McCallister, director of the conservation group “Pacific Wild.”

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Illegal immigrants and health care reform

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with John Sheils, a healthcare management consultant with The Lewin Group, to sort out a question sparked by the angry shout of Republican Congressman Joe Wilson: whether health care reform will cover illegal immigrants.

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Israel on a diplomatic offensive

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Israel is reeling from the release of a United Nations report accusing the Israeli military of war crimes during the three-week long war in Gaza last winter. Israel is launching a diplomatic offensive to block any of its soldiers or commanders from being prosecuted in an international tribunal. Reporter Linda Gradstein has the story from Jerusalem.

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Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

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Relics on tour in the UK

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The relics of a revered 19th century nun are on tour in England. It’s the first time in nearly five centuries that the Catholic Church in England has so publicly venerated the remains of a saint. The World’s Laura Lynch brings us the story from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Portsmouth.

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