Entire program – June 4, 2010

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Today on The World: Afghan leaders back President Karzai’s plan to reach out to insurgents, Also, a VFW post in Florida tries to bridge the generation gap that threatens to make the nation-wide veterans organization a thing of the past, Plus, a look at America’s relationship with the Muslim world one year after President Obama’s speech in Cairo.

World Cup teams hit by injuries

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Only days before the soccer World Cup starts in South Africa, one of the stars of the sport, Didier Drogba, has injured his arm and is expected to miss the tournament. Drogba, the captain of Ivory Coast, broke his arm in an exhibition match against Japan. Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that the captain of the English team, Rio Ferdinand, will definitely miss the World Cup, after hurting his knee in training. The World’s William Troop has more. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• World Cup stories on The World
• Video of Drogba being fouled
• US soccer

VFW looking for younger veterans

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Traditional veterans organizations are struggling to attract veterans from more recent conflicts. Troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would rather spend time with their families or on social networking websites than at the local VFW post. The World’s Katy Clark reports from Jacksonville, Florida on efforts to keep the VFW relevant. Download MP3

• Katy’s photos from VFW Post 7909
• Web extra: vets reminiscing about the VFW

Silvio Rodriguez

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Today we hear about Cuban musician Silvio Rodriguez. It was about 30 years ago that reporter Betto Arcos first heard Silvio’s music in his hometown of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. The Cuban legend will be playing dates in the United States. The first time in over 30 years. Betto listened again to some of Silvio’s classic albums and sent us this audio essay. Download MP3

• Full transcript of Silvio Rodriguez’s press conference in New York, courtesy of Ed Morales
• Carnegie Hall: Silvio Rodriguez
• Amazon: Silvio Rodriguez
• Silvio Rodriguez’s website

Taliban peace plan

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Martin Patience, about Afghanistan’s peace council, which today endorsed plans to seek negotiations with the Taliban.

Soccer loyalty in Argentina

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Argentina’s soccer fans are united behind the country’s World Cup team, but before the players come together for the country, they play for local club teams, and THAT’S where the fiercest loyalty lies. Julia Kumari Drapkin reports from Buenos Aires.

One year after Cairo

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One year ago President Obama gave a speech in Cairo that he hoped would improve ties between the US and the Muslim world. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Magdi Abdelhadi, an Arab Affairs analyst at the BBC, about how things look one year later.

Arab-Americans reflect on Obama

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Reporter Lily Jamali speaks with Lily Jamali in New York about whether President Obama’s speech in Cairo one year ago has made a difference to them.

National Spelling Bee

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Tonight in Washington is the final round of the 83rd National Spelling Bee. In earlier rounds you’d hardly guess the words being spelled were English. The World’s Patrick Cox explains.

Personal soundtracks to war: Sergeant Crystal Halbert

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Producer Jake Warga has the final installment of his week-long series on what some US soldiers in Iraq are listening to during their tours there, and why.

Hard to say

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For today’s Geo Quiz let’s shift from “hard to spell” words to “hard to say” geographic names. We’re looking for candidates for the world’s longest place names…. Download MP3