2009 | PRI's The World - Part 30

Archive for 2009

Tech Podcast 268: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Returns!

By Clark Boyd ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Tons of fun in this week’s podcast. The highlight is the return of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Eoin Colfer, who you may know as author of the Artemis Fowl series, has taken on the task of writing Book Six of Three in the H2G2 universe. It’s called And Another Thing… and we’ve got an interview with Colfer on this week’s podcast! We also hear about expert windmill builder, William Kamkwamba.

Spelling Obama in Chinese, oratory, and chop suey love

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

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In this all-Chinese pod, how to spell Obama in Chinese. Then, the contrasting oratorical styles of presidents Hu and Obama. That’s followed by something on a type of Chinese idiom known as chengyu. Then to the UK, where Confucian philosophy infuses Chinese language classes in five public schools. Finally, poet Marilyn Chin on why she loves the expression chop suey.

Global Political Cartoons: Nov 14-20, 2009

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

CAR-polarbear150 President Obama’s visit to China gives cartoonists plenty to draw on this week: Beijing and Washington as buddies. Beijing and Washington as co-dependents. Beijing and Washington agreeing that it’s okay to put off any serious reduction of greenhouse gases.

>>> Click here to start the cartoon slideshow

How would you fix refereeing mistakes in soccer?

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ 19 comments ⋅

henry_handball150 There’s outrage among Ireland’s soccer fans after France eliminated the Irish national team from the World Cup. A single goal crushed the Irish, a goal that came in overtime and after France’s Thierry Henry controled the ball with his hand. Around the globe soccer fans are once again pondering ways to avoid having such glaring missed calls determine the outcome of games. What’s your take?

Entire program – November 19, 2009

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Today on The World: Afghan president Hamid Karzai is inaugurated for a second term today; Also, traffic accidents become a public health crisis in Ghana; And Egyptians bemoan the latest blow to their national pride… the loss of a World Cup qualifying match.

Karzai sworn in amid tight security

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Hamid Karzai has been sworn in as Afghan president for a second elected term, saying he wants Afghan forces in charge of the nation within five years. Kabul’s streets were almost empty on Thursday as security forces set up numerous roadblocks ahead of the ceremony. The World’s Aaron Schachter looks at security for Karzai’s second inauguration compared with security arrangements the first time around.

India: glaciers recede, rivers threatened

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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The Himalayan glaciers that feed many of Asia’s most important rivers are receding. The BBC’s Chris Morris treks to the face of one of the glaciers that feeds the Ganges to assess the possible impact. Download MP3

Growing glacial lakes threaten Nepali villages
The rising temperatures are also causing glaciers to melt into rapidly growing lakes. Reporter Yanmei Xie reports from the southern slope of Mt. Everest.

Listen to the web exclusive

Mammograms around the world

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Most women should start regular breast cancer screening at age 50, not 40, according to new guidelines released in the US. The new guidelines have unleashed a heated debate and caused confusion for women and their doctors. International guidelines also call for screening to start at age 50. Jeb Sharp talks with David Dershaw, Director of Breast Imaging at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Traffic safety

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅

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A global conference on road safety is being held in Moscow to discuss ways of tackling one of the world’s biggest killers: traffic accidents. Experts at the forum are calling for a decade of action. The World’s Laura Lynch takes us to Ghana where even the government says car accidents have become a public health crisis.

Hamid Karzai begins second term

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated at a ceremony in Kabul today for his second term in office. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Kabul resident Sultana (she asked that we not use her last name). Sultana says that Afghans see little hope for change.

New prison at Bagram in Afghanistan

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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The US military in Afghanistan unveiled a new 60-million-dollar prison this past weekend on its base in Bagram. The World’s Katy Clark reports.

Brazil’s green city

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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The World’s Alex Gallafent has the story of Jaime Lerner, a Brazilian town planner and ex-mayor of Curitiba, often called the world’s most environmentally-friendly city.

Soccer loss bruises Egyptian pride

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Yesterday, Egypt lost a World Cup qualifying match to arch-rival Algeria. As Aya Batrawy reports from Cairo, it’s just the latest blow to Egypt’s sense of national pride.

In other soccer news

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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The World’s William Troop tells anchor Jeb Sharp about a shocking incident of foul play on the soccer field — an incident that seems to have denied Ireland a place at the soccer World Cup.

Geo Quiz

By The World ⋅ November 19, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

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Our daily geography puzzler.