Entire program – October 29, 2009

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Today on The World: Why the new US defense bill includes funds to pay Taliban members, An Egyptian comedian tackles taboo subjects with his own version of Da Ali G. Show, and Spain’s economic woes forces small towns to sweep their own streets.

The Limits of GDP

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The recession in the U.S. is technically over. Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, grew at a rate of 3.5% in the last three months ending in September. But there’s a growing cadre of economists and other economy-watchers who say GDP has outlived its usefulness as a gauge of economic health. The World’s Jason Margolis has more. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Global Economy podcast
• Global economic conditions: interactive map at Moody’s Economy.com

One Spanish town’s recession

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In Spain, the economic crisis is hitting small towns particularly hard. Many villages got rich during the country’s housing boom. And they assumed they’d keep getting richer. So they borrowed lots of money. But then real estate went bust and their collateral, undeveloped public land, lost its value. Now, basic public services such as trash pick-up are going neglected in places such as the tiny mountain village of Collbato, in northeast Spain. The World’s Gerry Hadden just returned from Collbato, and has the story. Download MP3 (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

• See more of Gerry’s photos from Collbato
• Forbes: Spain to stay in recession

Paying the Taliban to quit

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The US military in Afghanistan is to be allowed to pay Taliban fighters who renounce violence against the government in Kabul. The move is included in a defense bill which President Obama has signed. The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), has said he envisages the money being used to pay former Taliban fighters to protect their communities. Katy Clark talks with Senator Levin. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Carl Levin’s Senate page

The Economics of Renewable Energy

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Policymakers are working towards their self-imposed deadline to come up with a successor climate treaty to the Kyoto Protocol. Their mission is to set target reductions for atmospheric carbon levels by the conclusion of United Nations’ sponsored climate talks this December in Copenhagen. A deal is looking unlikely for December. But assuming a climate deal does eventually get done, this will no doubt be a boon for the renewable energy industry. That could mean big business for solar panels, wind turbines, biofuels, and nuclear energy.

Egypt’s Ali G.

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A new Egyptian TV show features a fake Italian talk show host who interviews unsuspecting Egyptian officials. He asks them sexually suggestive questions, which is taboo in Egypt. But the flamboyant host of ‘La Sosta Culturale’ steers well clear of political satire. Julia Simon reports. Download MP3

• Video: La Sosta Culturale
• La Sosta Culturale on facebook

Global Hit: France’s Nouvelle Vague

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On their new CD, French band Nouvelle Vague cover the Sex Pistols, The Police and other bands from the 1970s and 80s. With the help of young female singers who often don’t know the originals, Nouvelle Vague offer bossa nova, reggae and folk reinterpretations of punk and new wave standards. On today’s show, The World’s Patrick Cox checks out the group’s new album, 3. Download MP3

• Nouvelle Vague homepage
• Videos: Nouvelle Vague in action

Security in Iraq

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with the BBC’s Gabriel Gatehouse about the security situation in Iraq.

Cancun police get nabbed for extorting US tourist

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Traffic police in Cancun, Mexico didn’t know what they were in for when they pulled over an American couple, and threatened to charge the driver with speeding, unless he paid them to stay out of jail. Turns out that his wife, also in the car, was a Minnesota state lawmaker. Anchor Katy Clark gets the story from State Senator Michelle Fischbach.

Popular Mexican band takes stand on censorship

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The musical group “Los Tigres del Norte” pulled out of a Mexican music awards show after organizers asked them not to perform their latest hit — a song about drug violence, immigration and corruption in Mexico. The World’s William Troop has details.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

British couple held by Somali pirates

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with The BBB’s Will Ross in Mombasa, Kenya about the latest twist in the story about a British couple captured by Somali pirates.

Geo answer

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We were looking for a small island nation at the center of the Mediterranean. The answer is Malta.

Small island nation

We’re head for the ocean with today’s Geo Quiz! We’re looking for a small island nation at the center of the Mediterranean Sea.

Music Heard on Air for October 29, 2009

Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for October 29, 2009. Artists featured are Joropo Venezuelien, Tor Dietrichson, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Tinariwen, Kerekes Band