Reporter’s Notebook: Return to Haiti

Reporter Amy Bracken is currently on assignment in Haiti, a country that she knows well, having lived and worked there extensively in the past. The World asked her to keep a diary of her experiences on this trip. In this, her first entry, she writes about being back in the country, and about how the Haitians are preparing for the rainy season. (Photo: Amy Bracken)

• The World: Amy’s coverage from her previous trip to Haiti (Jan. 19, 2010)
• The World: Amy reflects on post-earthquake Haiti (January 14, 2010)

Uganda’s Kasubi Tombs destroyed

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An important piece of history has been lost in Uganda. Fire destroyed a 150-year-old royal tomb in Kampala on Tuesday. It’s not clear who or what caused the blaze. What is clear that the thatched-roof mausoleum, called the Kasubi Tombs, was an object of deep reverence by Uganda’s largest tribe, the Buganda. In fact, it was a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jeb Sharp talks with the BBC’s Joshua Mmali is in Kampala. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• In pictures: Kasubi tombs fire
• Kasubi Tombs website

Boxes of Irish history

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The small town of Ballina is known as ‘the Salmon Capital of Ireland’. It’s home to only about 11,000 people. But it’s also home to an extraordinary collection of historical documents. The World’s Alex Gallafent reports from New York. Download MP3 (Photo: Courtesy of the Jackie Clarke Library and Archive)

• See photos and read the transcript
• The Jackie Clarke Library and Archives

Jerusalem’s controversial archaeology

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Emotions have been running high in Jerusalem over the al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, which sits on the Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount, next to the Jewish Western Wall, in Jerusalem’s heavily contested walled Old City. After several weekends of riots by Palestinians over rumors that a Jewish temple will be built there , Israeli police sealed off the West Bank and limited Muslim prayer at the mosque. As Daniel Estrin reports from Jerusalem, the archaeology of the area can be just as explosive. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• On The World: The East Jerusalem issue
• Archaeology and the struggle for Jerusalem

Rebuilding Haiti

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Haiti’s government has unveiled an expensive reconstruction plan for the country. But there are questions over how best to spend the money. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with reporter Amy Bracken in Port-au-Prince.

Basque separatists strike outside Spain

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on the alleged connections between the Basque separatist group ETA and Venezuela.

The Irish and their native tongue

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The Irish language, or Gaelic, has been something the Irish learn in school but don’t speak much at home. Anchor Jeb Sharp talks with writer and filmmaker Manchán Magan, whose work explores Ireland’s relationship to its native language.

US Israeli relations bruised over settlements

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The World’s Matthew Bell reports from Jerusalem on the continued reverberations from Israel’s diplomatic blunder last week when it announced plans to build new homes in disputed East Jerusalem. More settlement construction is not supported by Washington — so it didn’t go over well when the announcement was made while US Vice President Joe Biden was in Jerusalem.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo answer

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For our geo quiz, we were looking for a country where the color of the day is Red. The answer is Iran — where the ancient Persian Red Wednesday festival is going on this week. Anchor Jeb Sharp finds out more from the BBC’s Saeed Barzin.

Red Wednesday

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Today’s Geo Quiz falls on Red Wednesday. That’s what today is called in the country we’re asking you to name.

Iranian musician

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Los Angeles Times correspondent Borzou Daragahi tells us about a music teacher in Iran whose blindness has given him and his students an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have under strict Islamic law.

Read Borzou Daragahi’s article from the LA Times

Music Heard on Air for March 17, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For March 17, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Nguyen Le, RJD2, Ensemble Fis Fuz.

Entire program – March 16, 2010

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Today on The World: Clashes in East Jerusalem, as Palestinians protest against Israeli plans for new housing there; Also, old wounds are re-opened in Latvia, with a ceremony honoring soldiers killed in World War Two; And a dispute in Egypt over women serving as judges.

The East Jerusalem issue

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US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has postponed a visit to Israel amid a continuing quarrel over Israel’s decision to build more Jewish homes in East Jerusalem. The building announcement angered Washington. Tension remains high in Jerusalem, with more security forces moving in as rock throwing protesters vent their frustration. The World’s Matthew Bell chronicles the developing tensions over East Jerusalem. Download MP3 (photo: Matthew Bell)

• Matthew’s pictures from East Jerusalem
• BBC coverage
• On The World: Strains in US-Israel relations