Tech Podcast: Blogger may face death penalty in Iran

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On this week’s technology podcast, we’ll have an update on Hossein Derakhshan, aka Hoder. Widely considered to be the “godfather” of Persian-language blogging, Hoder is now in an Iranian prison. Reports from his family inside the country say he may be facing the death penalty. We’ll have that story, plus a whole lot more global tech goodness.

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Entire program – September 22, 2010

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Today on The World: Getting the message out — pro and con — regarding Israeli settlement activity; Also, how a Belgian electronics company is trying to make its gadgets greener; Plus, how they teach the subtle art of diplomatic language at the United Nations.

Peace talks and the settlements issue

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An ominous deadline is approaching fast in the current peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel’s self-imposed moratorium on most construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is set to end on Sunday. The president of the Palestinian Authority says he’ll quit the peace talks if the building freeze ends, while Israel says it won’t extend the moratorium. Matthew Bell reports. (Photo: Matthew Bell) Download MP3



More reports and additional context from Matthew Bell

• BBC coverage: Quartet urges Israel to extend settlement freeze
• Palestinian view of peace talks
• Voices from Jerusalem

Greener gadgets from Belgium

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Our ever-increasing reliance on electronic gadgets comes with certain environmental side-effects. Those gadgets often contain all kinds of things that are potentially harmful to the environment. It’s also a tough industry to evaluate when it comes to fair trade practices. Clark Boyd reports on how one small company in Belgium is trying to address both of those issues. (photo: Clark Boyd) Download MP3

• United Pepper homepage
• The World’s Technology podcast

Greener electronics for the globe

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The US based non-profit Green Electronics Council is trying to make the electronics industry more environmentally friendly. Sarah O’Brien (pictured) is the communications director of the council, she speaks with Lisa Mullins about efforts to green the electronics industry. Download MP3
O’Brien is also the guest in our online Science Forum. >>>Join the discussion here

• Science Forum on The World
• Download our science podcast
• Green Electronics Council
• Tracking environmental footprints

Learning to speak diplomatically

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192 countries want to be understood at the United Nations. Many there use English. Some non-English speakers get coaching on how to assert themselves in English, or butt in without sounding rude. Alex Gallafent joins the classroom instruction. (Photo: Alex Gallafent) Download MP3

• BBC coverage: How interpreters at the UN get the message across
• A short history of long speeches at the UN
• United Nations Language and Communications Program

England Facebook party error

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You’ve probably heard about the girl who invited friends to her birthday party via Facebook, right? She meant to invite 19 people but ended up with thousands of RSVP’s on the social networking site. What we want to know for our Geo Quiz today is where’s the party? (Photo: Spencer E Holtaway/Flickr) Download MP3

• Girl’s ‘shock’ at Facebook party error
• 21,000 RSVP for Facebook party

New iPhone app maps Israeli settlements

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A US activist group that’s against the Israeli settlements has launched a new website and iPhone app related to their cause. “Americans for Peace Now,” the sister organization to the Israeli group, “Peace Now,” created an interactive map that allows users to see information about Israeli settlements. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Ori Nir, the spokesman for Americans for Peace Now.

• Americans for Peace Now

Real spy stories from Britain’s intel archives

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The antics of suave special agent, James Bond, all seem too much to be true, but a new history of Britain’s special intelligence service, or MI6, suggests otherwise. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Keith Jeffery, author of “The Secret History of MI6.” Download MP3

• Book info

World powers meet on Iran nuclear standoff

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The US and five other world powers met today at the UN to push for an “early negotiated solution” to the nuclear standoff with Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been sending mixed signals about his willingness to talk, so Washington is considering a dual-track approach to its diplomatic strategy. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from Washington Post correspondent Colum Lynch, who’s at the UN.

• Colum Lynch’s blog

Branson’s call for investment in Zimbabwe

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group, who’s kicking off a new philanthropic venture he says is aimed at encouraging international investment in Zimbabwe.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo Answer

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The answer to our Geo Quiz today is the English town of Harpenden, north of London. It’s the hometown of the teenager who used Facebook to invite a handful of friends to her birthday party — and wound up with thousands of replies from the social networking site. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the birthday girl, who has since canceled her party. Download MP3

• Geo Quiz Archive

A Tribute to David Bowie

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A new album dedicated to David Bowie’s songs is set to be released in October. It’s called “We Were So Turned On: A Tribute to David Bowie.” It’s a double album of Bowie’s covers which will be sold to profit a British charity called “War Child.” War Child takes care of children living in war zones. The album features many names in show biz like Duran Duran and Carla Bruni Sarkozy. The former top model, turned singer-songwriter, turned first lady of France sang the David Bowie 1980s song “Absolute Beginners” for the album. Download MP3

• Global Hit archive
• Global Hit on Facebook

Entire program – September 21, 2010

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Today on The World: Mexican journalists seek asylum in the US after feeling threatened at home. Also, a concentration camp memorial in Germany opens the doors to the living quarters of SS officers who ran the camp. Plus, a confrontation in disputed waters fuels tensions between Japan and China. Those stories and more today on The World.