Developing Sudan’s Tuti Island

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Where the Blue and White Niles meet in Khartoum, Sudan, lies Tuti Island. While Khartoum developed into a modern city, Tuti retained its bucolic environment. But that may be about to change now that a new bridge has been built connecting Tuti to the capital city. Reporter Hana Baba has the story. Download MP3 (Photo: Hana Baba)

• View pictures and read the transcript

Guam loves Spam

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The US Pacific Island territory of Guam is notable not just for its US military bases, which are soon to be expanded. Guam is also the world’s leading consumer per capita, of Spam. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports about the Guamanian craze for processed meat. Download MP3 (Photo: Mary Kay Magistad).

• Official Spam website
• Guampedia: Spam Fried Rice

BBC DJ Charlie Gillett dies

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BBC DJ and world music champion Charlie Gillett has died after a long illness, aged 68. The British broadcaster is credited with discovering Dire Straits in 1976 after playing Sultans of Swing from their demo tape on his Radio London show Honky Tonk. The World’s Jeb Sharp has an appreciation of Gillett’s work. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Charlie Gillett’s website

Israel’s view of US-Israeli tensions

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Anchor Jeb Sharp talks to Natasha Mozgovaya, Chief US Correspondent for Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz, about how the tensions between the US and Israel are being covered in Israel.

Plant food or dangerous drug

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The World’s Laura Lynch reports on the growing popularity of a “legal drug” know as Mephadrone in Britain. It’s legally sold a plant food, but it’s been blamed as the cause of death for two British teens, and lawmakers are talking about a ban.

New study reveals changes in the Arctic

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A new study that examines the health of species native to the Arctic Circle was released today, and the news is mixed. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Mike Gill, co-author of the report.

Drought-ridden Cyprus spurns Turkey’s help

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A long-running conflict between Turkey and the independent Greek Cyprus is getting in the way of drought relief for the island. Reporter Joanna Kakissis explains.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

TV’s ‘Law and Order’ takes on rape in Congo

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Last night one of televisions’ most successful franchises, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, took on the issue of rape as a weapon of war in Eastern Congo. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Neal Bear, the program’s executive producer of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, about why he chose to tackle the subject.

Geo answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is the Indian state of Maharashtra, home to India’s movie industry known as Bollywood. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Harshita Kohli, an entertainment reporter in Mumbai about what’s behind a recent campaign to ban foreign actors in Bollywood films.

An Indian state

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14 million people stand out in today’s Geo Quiz. 14 million is the approximate population of Mumbai. The Indian city is one of the most populous in the world. It’s also the capital of – well… that’s where you come in…

Music Heard on Air for March 18, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For March 18, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Ensemble Fis Fuz, Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni ba, Outback.

When the prime minister calls

London seniors Joyce and Ted Hawkes were quite surprised when Downing Street called in 1997 to ask whether Britain’s new prime minister Tony Blair and his wife could come by for a cup of tea. They relived the moment with the host of the BBC’s PM program, Eddie Mair.

• Listen to the interview on the PM page

Entire program – March 17, 2010

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Today on The World: An expensive reconstruction plan for Haiti and questions about how best to spend the money; Meanwhile the US offers Haitians living illegally in the US a chance to come out of the shadows; One man’s personal collection of Irish historical documents becomes treasure trove for historians. Download MP3

Temporary protected status for Haitians

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Haiti’s government estimates that the country will need $11.5 billion to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in January. Although it’s been a terrible tragedy it has also provided a rare opportunity for Haitians who are living in the United States illegally. The federal government is allowing undocumented Haitians to apply for temporary protected status – or TPS. It will allow them to get jobs and come out of the shadows. The World’s Katy Clark recently met some Haitians in the Boston area who were applying for TPS. Download MP3 (Photo: Katy Clark)

• BBC coverage of the earthquake
• USCIS Responds to Haiti Earthquake
• On The World: How to fix Haiti’s economy