John and Yoko

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For the Global Hit, anchor Lisa Mullins tells about some of the events this week marking what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday. The former Beatle’s widow Yoko Ono is re-releasing re-mastered versions of Lennon’s solo albums. Ono’s own music is also doing well on the dance charts. Download MP3

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Music Heard on The World for October 5, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For October 5, 2010. Artists featured are Rahim Alhaj, Los de Abajo, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Praful, Bassekou Kouyate, Ngoni ba, Tuh Pa Warez.

Chinese silk in northern Europe

Art treasures figure in today’s Geo Quiz. An exhibit caught our eye: it’s called “100 percent Silk.” There are shimmering dresses and lavish wall tapestries, some thousands of years old. It’s all on loan from China’s National Silk Museum. Where in northern Europe can you see this exibit at the moment?

Entire program – October 4, 2010

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Today on The World: A fire at a mosque in the West Bank raises tensions between Palestinians and Israeli settlers; Also, how travel warnings by the United States and other nations are affecting travel to Europe; Plus, how some ethnic Roma in Bulgaria see their place within European society.

• Music heard on the air

The Mideast conflict on an Israeli campus

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A professor at an Israeli college has endorsed a boycott – against Israel. His stand has proven unpopular with some students who say academic free speech has gone too far, especially at a time when Israel is facing threats of boycotts from around the globe. Daniel Estrin reports. (Photo: Daniel Estrin) Download MP3

Colombian senator “collaborated” with FARC

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Colombian senator and peace activist Piedad Cordoba has been banned from public office for 18 years for “collaborating” with the FARC rebels. Senator Cordoba helped negotiate the release of several FARC hostages but is now accused of exceeding her role as a mediator by giving the rebels political advice. From Bogota, John Otis reports. (Photo:Ricardo Bello) Download MP3
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US travel alert: Now what?

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The Japanese government has joined the US and Britain in issuing a travel alert urging its citizens to be cautious when using public transport or visiting popular tourist sites in Europe. But what are the basic safety behaviors people should adopt? Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Ernst and Young security advisor Glenn Schoen to find out what the average person should do and how to be prepared. (Photo: Joshua Davis/Flickr) Download MP3

Slovakia’s Longital

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The World’s Marco Werman visits with Slovakian artists Longital who draw on their background in experimental theater to concoct a cinematic pop music. Download MP3
>>Watch a video of Longital performing live in Budapest

Talking Travel: Commonwealth Games in India

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This is Shera, mascot for the Commonwealth Games, which have started in Delhi. There have been major problems with venues leading up to the Games. Some countries even threatened to boycott. But, the Games are underway, and in this episode of our travel podcast, we’ll find out what’s to see in Delhi (besides netball and lawn bowls, of course).

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Low Cost IVF

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British scientist Robert Edwards has won the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his part in developing IVF – or in-vitro fertilization. IVF is now a fairly common method of aiding conception – but it’s expensive. However there are efforts to make fertility treatment more accessible to those in the poorest regions of the world. Dr. Ian Cooke is one of the founders of the Low Cost IVF Foundation, which is based in Switzerland. Lisa Mullins talks with him. Download MP3

Mosque fire raises tensions in West Bank

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Palestinians today accused Jewish settlers of starting a fire at a mosque in the West Bank that burned copies of the Muslim holy book, the Koran. The incident further strains the already troubled Middle East peace talks. Anchor Lisa Mullins finds out more from The World’s Middle East correspondent Matthew Bell.

Pudgy leader for North Korea?

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Very little is known about the son of North Korea’s Kim Jong Il. A few pictures have emerged showing the rather pudgy young man. Jason Strother reports that North Koreans are asking questions about the son’s girth while the rest of the country goes hungry.

Iraqi women talk politics

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The political arena in Iraq is almost exclusively a male domain. But Iraqi women have their opinions too. Reporter Susannah George visited a Baghdad beauty salon to find out how some Iraqi women feel about their country’s political situation.

Roma integration in Bulgaria

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Matthew Brunwasser visits two ethnic Roma neighborhoods in Bulgaria to find out how the Roma there view the issue of integration. France’s extradition of Roma to Bulgaria and Romania has set off a debate in Europe about the Roma’s place in European society.

African weightlifting champ

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Competition at the Commonwealth Games finally got underway today in Delhi, India and that’s the starting point for our Geo Quiz as well. The first Gold went to a 17-year old weightlifter representing a West African country we want you to name. Download MP3