Pakistani militants play a role in flood help

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The BBC’s Adam Mynott reports that as the Pakistani government struggles to help millions of people displaced by flooding, one organization with ties to militant groups is stepping into the vacuum.

Jenin Cinema opens ‘Heart of Jenin’ documentary

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The opening of a new movie theater may not sound like a big deal. But for Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin, it’s something to celebrate. The World’s Matthew Bell was there for the grand opening and sent this story.
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More for The World’s Matthew Bell
• Slideshow: See Matthew Bell’s photos from Jenin
• Lebanon and Israel exchange gun fire
• Israeli-Lebanese border clash
• Mideast Rockets Report

Finland recycles computer heat

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Computer servers at big data centers around the globe generate a lot of heat. A company in Finland has figured out a way to capture that wasted energy and use it to heat homes. The World’s Technology Correspondent Clark Boyd has the story from Helsinki.

Problematic helicopters in St. Tropez

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An unusual form of pollution has residents along France’s exclusive Cote D’Azur up in arms. It’s noise pollution from helicopters. The aircraft crisscross the sky all day long in summertime, ferrying about the wealthiest visitors. For years now local authorities have demanding stricter controls for helicopters and they may soon get them. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Saint Tropez.
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More from The World’s Gerry Hadden
• Slideshow: See Gerry Hadden’s photos from St. Tropez
• Abbey of Our Lady of the Annunciation Nuns
• ‘The Disciple’
• Cuban dissidents face dissappointing reception

U.S. joins Japan to remember Hiroshima

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Japan today paused to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombing of the city of Hiroshima. Thousands gathered for the ceremony including for the first time, official representatives of the United States. Anchor David Baron speaks about the significance of this with Leonard Spector, an expert in nuclear non-proliferation.

The Dark side of Rwanda’s recovery

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Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame is almost certain to win a second seven-year term in elections Monday. He’s credited with turning the country around after the devastation of the 1994 genocide. But critics say there’s a dark side to Kagame’s rule that prevents many Rwandans from showing anything but support for his government. Correspondent Nick Wadhams reports.

Southern Sudan prepares for independence

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Officials in southern Sudan have asked musicians and writers to compose a new national anthem. In January people in southern Sudan vote on whether they want independence from Khartoum.

Geo Quiz: We’re looking for a city named Mérida

For our Geo Quiz today we’re looking for a city named Mérida. There are at least four major cities in the world with that name. They include cities in Spain, Venezuela and the Philippines. And there’s one more…

The Merida we’re looking for was founded in the 16th century by Spanish conquistadors. But it was a Mayan cultural center centuries earlier. The modern city is located on the Chicxulub Crater. That’s one of the largest impact craters in the world.

(Click on the link for the answer)

Yoshida Brothers rock the shamisen

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The Tsugaru shamisen is a traditonal Japanese stringed instrument that looks like a remote cousin of the banjo, with a very long neck. Two Japanese brothers are investing their talent into keeping the Tsugaru shamisen alive and well. Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida, known as– the Yoshida Brothers– stopped by our Boston studios to speak with The World’s David Baron.
(Photo: Steven Davy)
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• More on the Yoshida Brothers
• Video: Watch the Yoshida Brothers perform live
• Slideshow: See the Yoshida Brothers in The World’s Boston studio
• Click here for Yoshida Brothers tour information

The Business of Tourism

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Tourism is big business: It generates Close to a trillion dollars a year. How can nations get ahead in the tourism game? Why do tourists flock to one beach over another? And what does a nation give up when it becomes a tourism destination? These questions and others explored on this edition of The World’s Global Economy podcast.
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• More of The World’s Economy coverage

Entire Program – August 6, 2010

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Today on The World: Pakistan’s deadly flooding now threatens the south of the country, Finland finds a way to use the heat from computer servers to heat homes and Rwanda’s president looks strong ahead of Monday’s election, but some say his popularity is fueled by fear. Those stories and more today on The World.

Music Heard on Air for August 6, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For August 6, 2010. Artists featured are Praful, Vieux Farka Toure, Senza, Kila, Jan Garbarek, Anouar Brahem, Shaukat Hussain.

Entire Program – August 5, 2010

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Today on The World: Supermodel Naomi Campbell takes the stand today at the war crimes trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor, Haitian-American pop star Wyclef Jean says he’s running for president of Haiti and why Mexican immigrants on New York’s Staten Island are being targeted for attack. Those stories and more today on The World.

Naomi Campbell testifies in Charles Taylor trial

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The civil war in Sierra Leone lasted a decade and left thousands dead or maimed. The former president of neighboring Liberia, Charles Taylor, is on trial for war crimes committed during the conflict. Prosecutors allege Taylor directly supported one faction, so he could gain access to Sierra Leone’s natural resources particularly diamonds. A special tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands is hearing the case and Thursday British supermodel, Naomi Campbell testified about receiving ‘dirty stones’ from Taylor.
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• Video: See Naomi Campbell’s testimony
• Q&A: Trying Charles Taylor

U.S. states tied to al-Shabab

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Host David Baron talks to the BBC’s Iain MacKenzie in Washington about the announcement that fourteen people in three American states are being charged with terrorist offences, including providing money and support to the Somali-based extremist group, al-Shabab.