Latvian Nazi unit commemorated

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The wounds of World War II are still deeply felt in the Baltics. That was evident in Latvia today where veterans gathered to commemorate troops who had died defending Latvia against Stalin’s Soviet invaders. The annual ceremony angers some in Latvia because the troops being commemorated fought in two Waffen SS divisions on the side of Nazi Germany. The BBC’s Damien McGuiness is in Latvia’s capital Riga. Download MP3 (Photo: German Bundesarchiv)

• BBC coverage
• Country profile: Latvia

Turkey bans trips abroad for artificial insemination

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A new law passed in Turkey has made it a criminal offense for a woman to go abroad and get pregnant via artificial insemination. Artificial insemination is already illegal, but women have until now been able to go overseas to seek sperm donors. Now they will face punishment of one to three years in prison for doing so. Marco Werman talks with Pinar Ilkkaracan, the co-founder of Women for Women’s Human Rights in Istanbul. Download MP3 (flickr image courtesy of fxp)

• BBC coverage

Noize MC and the Mercedes song

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The hip-hop song “Mercedes S666″ by Noize MC is about a Moscow traffic accident that has everyone there talking. Two weeks ago, the vice-president of Russian oil giant Lukoil was in his chauffeur-driven Mercedes when it crashed head-on into a Citroen killing the two women in that car. The police blamed the Citroen for the accident but Noize MC has his own version of events. Anchor Marco Werman has more about the song. Dan Rosenberg contributed to this report. Download MP3

• Noize MC – Mercedes S666 video
• Noize MC homepage

How Jerusalem affects Pentagon

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Mark Perry, author of a Foreign Policy magazine article on why the US military is increasingly concerned about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Kidnapped boy found safe in Pakistan

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A five-year-old British boy who was kidnapped in Pakistan nearly two weeks ago was found safe today. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

Russian police under fire

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Jessica Golloher reports on the uproar in Russia caused by a traffic incident in Moscow. It involved Russian police officers forcing motorists to park their cars across a highway to block a fleeing suspect. The incident has sparked questions about how Russian police operate and who they really serve.

Women judges under threat in Egypt

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Over the past 8 years, Egypt made great strides in women’s rights when it started appointing women as judges. That move met with great resistance and now, there’s a move to ban women judges altogether. Ursula Lindsey reports from Cairo.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Palau’s China dilemma

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The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports on the Pacific island nation of Palau — and its China dilemma. Right now, Palau has diplomatic relations with Taiwan, not China. But China’s growing influence in the region is causing some on Palau to reconsider.

Geo Answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is the Philippine island of Boracay. It’s a favorite spot for kite surfers. Reporter Sunshine de Leon recently spoke to some there.

New Folk

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There’s a new folk music movement in Britain, and some of its members are bringing their music to the US. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with British folk singers Jim Moray and Olivia Chaney.

• Best of New British Folk
• ‘Looking For a New England, New Folk: Old Roots’
• Looking for a New England Tour

Music Heard on Air for March 16, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For March 16, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Euphoria, Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni ba, Tinariwen, Talvin Singh, Kerekes Band.

More Greece, Russian films, and German potholes

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More news from Greece on this edition of the Global Economy Podcast. The country in the middle of its “worst crisis” in modern history, as the Greek finance minister put it. How are the Germans feeling about Greece? And how are the Greeks feeling about Greece? Also on this edition of the podcast: potholes in Germany, film in Russia, and a new trade route through the Himalayas. Also, is it better to give charitable donations of money or goods to help rebuild Haiti? Download MP3

Kite surfing in Asia

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For today’s Geo Quiz we’re tracking kite surfing tour Asia. Some of the best kite surfers in the world recently converged on an island in the Philippines. We’re looking for the name of this island that’s home to Bulabog Beach…where the wind and the waves make for perfect kite surfing conditions. Download MP3

Japan’s Non-Nuclear Principles, Revenge in Nigeria, Sargent and Velazquez at the Prado

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On this week’s history podcast we look at the reality of Japan’s “non-nuclear” policy; we discuss the possible role of revenge in the massacre in Jos, Nigeria on March 7, and we go behind the scenes at the Prado Museum in Madrid to explore the relationship between a 19th century American masterpiece and a 17th century Spanish one. Download MP3