Entire program – January 11, 2010

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Today on The World: A new poll in Afghanistan suggests people there are optimistic about their country’s future — despite the violence; Also, a Peruvian-American rapper is on a mission to help orphans in Afghanistan; Plus, American volunteers rebuild an ancient bridge over the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.

Iranian lawmakers criticize treatment of opposition

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A committee of the Iranian parliament has made a rare official criticism of treatment of opposition detainees held in the wake of the disputed election. The report said three detainees died at the notorious Kahrizak detention, and it blamed former Tehran prosecutor, Saeed Mortazavi (pictured), a political ally of President Ahmadinejad. Matthew Bell reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Iran crisis
• Reporter Cyrus Farivar on Internet policing in Iran

Iranian odyssey

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Journalist and filmmaker Maziar Bahari was detained in Iran last year while he was covering the post election demonstrations. He was held in Evin Prison for four months before being released. Bahari was in Boston over the weekend and anchor Jeb Sharp had a chance to talk with him. Download MP3

• From Newsweek: 118 Days, 12 Hours, 54 Minutes
• The Boston Festival of Films from Iran
• Jeb Sharp’s 2004 series ‘The US and Iran’

Rebuilding the Blue Nile footbridge

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In the Blue Nile Canyon of Ethiopia, a single footbridge is the only connection for people who live on opposite sides of the river. The ancient bridge has been repeatedly destroyed and repaired over the centuries. Now, a team of American volunteers has built a new, sturdier suspension bridge across the chasm. Reporter Daniel Glick was there as the new span was put into place. Download MP3

• See photos
• Watch a video
• Bridges to Prosperity

Afghan poll hints at growing optimism

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Most Afghans are increasingly optimistic about the state of their country, a poll commissioned by the BBC, ABC News and Germany’s ARD shows. Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction – a big jump from 40% a year ago. Jeb Sharp talks with the BBC’s Mark Dummett in Kabul. Download MP3 (Photo: Deshakalyan Chowdhury/AFP/Getty Images)

• BBC coverage
• Full survey (pdf)

Immortal Technique

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Judith Sloan profiles a Peruvian-born rapper and political activist known as “Immortal Technique.” He’s on a mission to help orphans in Afghanistan. That’s quite a contrast to his wild years as a teenager and the 12 months he spent in prison.

Flu vaccine overstock

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After this year’s rush to stock up on the vaccine against the H1N1 Flu, some European countries are now trying to unload millions of doses. Countries such as Spain, Germany, The Netherlands and France have found themselves with huge stockpiles because far fewer citizens than expected sought the vaccine out. Governments are hoping to cancel orders or sell the excess vaccines to developing nations even as they’re being criticized for overreacting and overspending against the disease. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Remembering Eric Rohmer

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Anchor Jeb Sharp talks to Paris-based film critic Lisa Nesselson about the legacy of French film maker Eric Rohmer who died in Paris today.

Geo Quiz

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Where will our Geo Quiz take us today?

Geo answer

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The answer to our Quiz today is the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. That’s where two young boys rescued a man from the surf yesterday, as The BBC’s Phil Mercer tells us.

Gold Coast

We’re looking for the Gold Coast for today’s Geo Quiz. The question is… WHICH one? There’s a region of West Africa that was known as the Gold Coast in colonial times. There’s also a stretch by the same name in Florida between Palm Beach and Miami. It supposedly got its name from the gold coins that used to wash up on the beaches from sunken Spanish galleons…

Music Heard on Air for January 11, 2010

Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for January 11, 2010. Artists featured are Kila, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba featuring Harouna Samake, Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder, Pell Mell, Los de Abajo.

Hebrew’s revival, Turkey’s banned letters, and Q

Hebrew is most successful attempt ever at language revival. We find out why. Also, Malaysians are rioting after a court rules that a Catholic newspaper can use the word Allah. Then, two reports on alphabet letters: in Sweden, parents win the right to name their newborn Q; and in Turkey, using the Kurdish-associated letters Q, W or X can land you in jail. And, a two-nations-divided-by-one-language examination of the word grit.

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