Lawnmower land speed record

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A British driver reached speeds of more than 87 miles per hour… on a lawnmower. The previous record holder is an American. His name is Bob Cleveland and he spoke with The World’s Marco Werman.

U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association

Treating mental illness in Sudan

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Traditionally, when people in Sudan suffer mental illness, they seek out exorcists and other spiritual healers. But in Khartoum, a growing number of patients are also seeing Western-style psychiatrists and psychologists. The result is a tense rapprochement between health practitioners who have historically been at odds. Hana Baba has our story from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

Abortion ad in Britain

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There’s going to be a television first in Britain tonight. A commercial for abortion services is airing on prime time. The World’s Laura Lynch reports.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo answer

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Today’s Geo Quiz sent us in search of a town in north-eastern Poland. Today, this town welcomed dozens of American soldiers and a battery of Patriot missiles. The answer is Morag. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Adam Easton, who’s following the story from the Polish capital, Warsaw.

Patriot Missiles

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Patriot missiles figure in today’s Geo Quiz. A battery of the American missiles has arrived in the town we’re looking for today. Download MP3

Talking Travel: ‘We’re with the band…’

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In the latest episode of our Talking Travel podcast with Lonely Planet, we look back at the musical, and travel, legacy of that Master of Metal, Ronnie James Dio. Dio died on May 16 at the age of 67, but his music lives on around the globe. Lonely Planet’s Robert Reid managed to get an interview with Dio before the singer started his 2005 world tour in…wait for it…Siberia. Also, we try to hitch a ride on Iron Maiden’s “Ed Force One.” (Photo: rjforester via Wikipedia)

• Download this episode (17:20)
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Entire program – May 21, 2010

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Today on The World: How the tumbling Euro could affect the US economy; Also, Canada re-examines deep sea oil drilling in the wake of the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico; Plus, US railroads offer new careers to war veterans.

US concern about the sliding euro

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Anchor Marco Werman finds out more on the possible contagion effect of the sliding Euro and what it could mean for the American economy from economist David Blanchflower of Dartmouth College. Download MP3

• Germans approve euro rescue plan
• World markets left at whim of euro on bailout fears

Soldiering On, Part II

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In this tough job market, it’s nice to know that some industries are still looking for a few good men and women. In the second part of this two part series, Soldiering On, The World’s Katy Clark reports on how railroads are tapping those leaving the military to expand and diversify their own ranks. Download MP3 (Photo by Katy Clark)

• Soldiering On, Part I
• US veterans ‘denied benefits’

Global Political Cartoons: Focus on Zapiro

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World’s Carol Hills about a cartoon by South African cartoonist Zapiro that has sparked controversy. The cartoon depicts the prophet Mohammed lying down on a therapist’s chair saying: “Other prophets have followers with a sense of humor!” Today Zapiro said the cartoon was not meant to be offensive. “I believe that all religions should be subjected to satire and that some religious groups should not be able to think they are above society.”Download MP3

• Watch a selection of Zapiro cartoons about religion
• Zapiro’s “Prophet Muhammad on the couch”
• Zapiro’s statement on Muhammad cartoon
• Zapiro’s website

Canada rethinks deep sea oil drilling

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The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has prompted Canada to re-examine its own deep sea oil drilling regulations and how it could prevent and respond to similar spills. Derek Stoffel reports from Toronto. Download MP3 (Photo: flickr.com/photos/ gord99)

• Impact of oil spill on marine life
• Senate hearings on oil spill disaster

Very Be Careful

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There are a lot of bands in the US today blending Latin tinged rhythms with – rock, pop, hip-pop, pick your genre. It started with Santana in the ’60s and has moved right to today with groups like Ozomatli. But the group Very Be Careful wants to be different. They stick close to their Colombian roots. Marco Werman explains more on today’s show. Download MP3

• Very Be Careful
• CD information from Amazon

US calls on China to open up markets

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US and Japan close to ending dispute over military base

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A dispute between the US and Japan over a controversial military base may soon be resolved. It’s a US air base on Okinawa, Japan’s southern island. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the issue during her visit to Japan today. Akiko Fujita reports from Tokyo.