Entire Program: July 15, 2010

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The twists and turns in the story of an Iranian nuclear scientist who claims he was abducted by the CIA. Then, a visit with former Honduran president Manual Zelaya as he tries to live a life in exile. and a summer camp provides stress relief for the children of servicemen and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

BP suspected of profiting from release of Lockerbie bomber

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Already facing criticism over the Gulf oil spill, BP now faces more problems of international scope. A group of US senators charge that BP pressured the British government to release a Libyan man convicted in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing case. They say the release was part of a deal to allow BP drilling rights in Libya and want a new investigation of what happened. Meanwhile, victims’ families are angry that the accused bomber man has now recovered from the illness that set him free, and plans to write a book. Eric Niiler reports from Washington. Download MP3

David Ignatius’ spy novels echo saga of Iranian scientist

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Iranian scientist Shahram Amiri is back in Iran today, where he received a hero’s welcome, complete with wreathes of flowers and a tearful reunion with his 7 year old son. Amiri says he was abducted by the C.I.A. and Saudi intelligence officers on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia last year. But American officials say he defected to the US, and then had second thoughts. The twists and turns of Amiri’s tale often sound like a spy thriller. Indeed the story has haunting parallels to a recent novel by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius. Download MP3

• David Ignatius’ book, The Increment
• David Ignatius’ Washington Post blog

Manuel Zelaya, Honduras’ former president in exile

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A year ago leftist Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was kidnapped in his pajamas by the Honduran military. He made a dramatic return by sneaking back into the country in the trunk of a car and hiding out in the Brazilian embassy. These days Zelaya is living in exile in the Dominican Republic. Reporter Enrique Rivera caught up with him. (Photo: Enrique Rivera) Download MP3

Camp as therapy for military kids

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“Summer camp” has been a tradition for many generations of American kids. It gets them out of their parent’s hair and provides relief from the heat. Camps can also be therapeutic. Six years ago, a non -profit organization working with military families started overnight camps specifically designed for the children of U.S. service members. The idea was to give these kids a break from the stresses that come with having a parent fighting in a war. There are now 68 such camps across the U.S. and overseas. The World’s Katy Clark takes us to one in the town of Spencer, Massachusetts. Download MP3

• National Military Family Association

In Haiti, a musical pre-quake tradition restored

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In post-earthquake Haiti, one pre-quake tradition has been restored. Thursdays at the Hotel Oloffson are back. The Haitian roots music band, RAM, is once again playing every week to a packed house. The World’s Amy Bracken caught up with the band’s leader, Richard Auguste Morse, in Port-au-Prince. Download MP3

Iraqi prisoner missing

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The Iraqi man convicted in the kidnap and murder of British aid worker, Margaret Hassan, has failed to appear in a Baghdad court today. The retrial of Iraqi engineer Ali Lutfi Jassar was due to begin this morning. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Said Boumedouha, a researcher on Iraq for Amnesty International.

Argentina legalizes same-sex marriage

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Argentina today became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Candace Piete in Buenos Aires.

New plan for local police force in Afghanistan

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Today, Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed to back a plan put forth by US commander, Gen. David Petraeus, to set up local police forces around the country. The idea is that it would allow villagers to protect themselves in areas where international and Afghan forces can’t protect them. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports.

Local defense forces in Afghanistan

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Sarwar Ahmedzai, a Pashtun tribal leader in Afghanistan, about the plan to establish local defense forces there.

Geo Answer

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In the beautiful countryside of south-western Ireland sheep sometimes stray. That’s where Brendan Ferris comes in. He’s a shepherd. You can usually find him at his farm, the Kells Sheep Center. It’s located on the Ring of Kerry, which is the answer, by the way, to our Geo Quiz. Ferris has won several sheep-herding competitions. Here he is with his border collie Max and a roaming flock of sheep in a distant field.

Geo Quiz

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For today’s Geo Quiz, we’re going around in circles. Cairo and Beijing have ring roads, London has an orbital, and Washington’s got a beltway. Route 9 encircles Hong Kong, and Highway 1 goes around around Kabul and Kandahar. We’re looking for another of these circular routes.
The one we want you to name is in south-west Ireland. Starting from Killarney, this 110 mile long road goes around the Iveragh Peninsula. The popular tourist route passes through towns with names like Sneem, Cahersiveen, and Killroglin. Looking westward there are views of the Atlantic, turnaround and you’ll see the mountains known as Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. So Google it, Mapquest it, or phone a friend.

Irish circular route

For today’s Geo Quiz, we’re going around in circles. Cairo and Beijing have ring roads, London has an orbital, and Washington’s got a beltway. Route 9 encircles Hong Kong, and Highway 1 goes around around Kabul and Kandahar. We’re looking for another of these circular routes. The one we want you to name is in south-west Ireland.

• View audio slideshow

Rebuilding a war-torn nation

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The West African nation of Liberia suffered through an on-again, off-again civil war for 14 years from 1989 to 2003. As many as 250,000 people were killed. The country was economically devastated: Roads were destroyed, sewage and water largely ceased functioning, and electricity was knocked out throughout the entire country. On this podcast, we look at how a nation economically rebuilds from 14 years of civil war.

Music Heard on Air for July 15, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For July 15, 2010. Artists featured are Baaba Maal, Mansour Seck, Tor Dietrichson, Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Moriba Koita, Soul Brothers, Bernard Kabanda.