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Archive for February, 2010
Tech Podcast: Can an ethical warrior robot be built?
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This week, we tackle a thorny issue: the use of robots on the battlefield. Now, you already know that drones are flying over Afghanistan, and robots are disarming IEDs in Iraq. But what about sending robots into the field to do actual combat? What is they were armed? How could you program them to make life-and-death decisions? All interesting questions that we try to get a handle on in WTP 278. Also, the newspaper YOU make, and an update on Global Pecha Kucha Night for Haiti.
Global Political Cartoons: Feb 13-19, 2010
The World’s Carol Hills looks back at the week’s big stories through political cartoons. This week: lots of news from the ancient world including the final word on King Tut’s death; a 21st century Olympic Games in Vancouver; and a Greek economy that’s more fragile than the country’s ancient ruins.
Entire program – February 18, 2010
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Today on The World: The military offensive in southern Afghanistan faces stiff resistance by the Taliban; Also, the effort to develop military robots that can make their own ethical decisions in combat; Plus, the top United Nations climate negotiator steps down.
Coalition offensive against Taliban continues
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US, NATO and Afghan forces are now in the sixth day of their offensive against Taliban forces in Helmand Province. NATO officials say that militants battling coalition troops are running out of ammunition. An Afghan general said Taliban fighters were increasingly using civilians as “human shields.” We hear from The Washington Post’s Joshua Partlow in Kabul. Download MP3 Photo: POOL/AFP/Getty Images
Mistaken identity
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Freelance journalist Alon Tuval has the misfortune of looking a lot like one of the suspects in the Dubai case. He says even friends are mistaking him for one of those involved. He’s in Jerusalem now. Katy Clark checks in with him. Download MP3
Programming an ethical robot warrior
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Can a robot be programmed to make life-and-death decisions on the battlefield? Some researchers are currently working to develop software that will help robots make moral and legal decisions on their own. Later today, we speak with Ronald Arkin, a professor of computer science at Georgia Tech who has just completed a three-year research project for the Army looking into the use of ethical battlefield robots. Download MP3Death-defying winter sport
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Thousands of miles from the Olympics in Vancouver, on the streets of Ukraine’s capital, there’s another, death-defying winter sport taking place. Walking down a Kiev sidewalk these days is like buying a lottery ticket to the hospital. Pedestrians pick their way across sheets of ice that are slick as oil, polished by thousands of feet. Brigid McCarthy reports from Kiev. Download MP3
French faux pinor noir
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The legal wrangling over fake Pinot Noir wine continues in France. Yesterday, a French court convicted a dozen people of fraud for exporting fake Pinot Noir to the United States. The wine was sold in the U.S. by Gallo under the Red Bicyclette label. Today, the wine merchant whose fake wine was sold to Gallo said he will appeal the verdict. We speak with Guy Woodward, an editor at Decanter Magazine, about the verdict. Download MP3
Top UN climate negotiator steps down
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The top United Nations climate negotiator has resigned following his failure to secure a comprehensive treaty at the Copenhagen climate summit in December. The World’s environment editor Peter Thomson reports on the challenges ahead for climate negotiators.
Spanish judge in legal trouble
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The Spanish judge who made headlines by issuing an arrest warrant for former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet finds himself in legal trouble. His alleged crime? Digging into atrocities committed during the dictatorship of Spain’s Francisco Franco. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.
British passport mystery
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The murder of a Palestinian militant in Dubai has triggered a diplomatic dust-up between Britain and Israel. The British government wants to know why some members of the hit quad involved carried fake British passports. The World’s Laura Lynch reports.
Geo Quiz
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Our daily geography quiz.
Olympic medals for Norway
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Norway is traditionally a Winter Olympics powerhouse. But Norway’s haul is below expectations so far in Vancouver, and as The World’s Carol Zall explains, that’s fodder for jokes at Norway’s expense in Sweden.
Geo answer
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For today’s Quiz we want to know the name of the Swedish village where crime novelist Henning Mankell grew up. He’s the author of the Kurt Wallander mystery books. The answer is the village of Sveg. Mankell’s new book is set nearby. The author speaks with anchor Katy Clark about his work and about crime fiction in general.
Taken By Trees
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Finally today — Sweden also features in our Global Hit. The music is from a new album by “Taken By Trees.” That’s the artistic name of Swedish singer-songwriter Victoria Bergsman. Bergsman recorded the album in Pakistan. She went there even though the Swedish government advised her not to. But Bergsman really wanted to record with Sufi musicians. Here’s a quick sample from the album. It’s from a track titled “To Lose Someone.” Swedish artist “Taken By Trees.” Her new album is called “East of Eden.”
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