Indonesia’s twin disasters

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Indonesia is in one of the most seismically active regions on the planet and this week, Indonesians got two terrifying reminders of that fact. Twin natural disasters have hit the southeast Asian nation. More than 20 people were killed when Indonesia’s most volatile volcano erupted in central Java. Also this week, a powerful earthquake off Sumatra island triggered a tsunami. The giant wave killed more than 270 people and left 400 missing. We get an update from the BBC’s Karishma Vaswani in Jakarta. Download MP3
>>>Animated guide: tsunamis

Biodiversity as natural capital

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One fifth of animal and plant species are threatened by extinction, a global study warns, but conservation efforts have pulled some back from the brink. Host Lisa Mullins talks with biologist Thomas Lovejoy about the economic value of biodiversity and intact ecosystems. Lovejoy is in Nagoya, Japan, for a global summit on the biodiveristy crisis. Download MP3
Video:Thomas Lovejoy on marketing for biodiversity

The wildcat of Scotland

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Some of the world’s most endangered wildlife are obscure species, haunting far-flung corners of the planet, but other endangered creatures are much more familiar. Reporter Ari Daniel Shapiro recently traveled to Scotland, which is the last refuge of a small wild cat that has prowled parts of Great Britain since the last ice age. (Photo: Peter Cairns) Download MP3
Audio Slideshow: See images of Scotland’s wildcats

Swedish indiepop band Club 8

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Club 8 is an indiepop band from Sweden. They’ve been around for 15 years, recording albums and touring the globe, but as The World’s Gerry Hadden reports, their sound is still distinclty Swedish. Download MP3
Video: Check out Club 8 live in Spain

Eight Finger Eddie

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Eddie was an 85 year-old American who made his life in Goa, the beach hang-out in India.He arrived there in 1965 and helped pioneer a quiet brand of drop out spiritualism among Westerners. Eight Finger Eddie died recently; we hear some of his philosophy in his own words. The World’s Alex Gallafent reports. Download MP3

Gatekeeper of Indonesian volcano killed

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A man who was considered the gate-keeper of Indonesia’s most active volcano was killed when the mountain erupted earlier this week. Reporter Rebecca Henschke looks back on the life of the 83-year-old mystic.Download MP3

Church weighs in on Poland IVF debate

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Poland’s parliament is considering several proposals related to in-vitro fertilization, or IVF. The Catholic Church has entered the debate and voiced its opposition to the procedure. Amy Drozdowska reports that the debate is part of a larger discussion in Poland, about how much influence the Church should have there. Download MP3

China’s control of rare earth metals

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The price hikes and cutbacks in China’s shipments of rare earth metals are causing concern worldwide. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports that some analysts say China is playing a dangerous game. Download MP3

Former Argentine president dies

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Former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner has died of a heart attack. He was 60 years old. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with reporter Ian Mount about Kirchner’s complicated legacy. Download MP3

Death of the Emperor

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A wild creature shows up this time in the Geo Quiz. We’re talking about a very large male deer, a stag. He is referred to as the Emperor and his domain, for the past 12 or so years, has been a national park in the southwest of England. But now he’s been shot and no one knows who did it. Download MP3

Entire program – October 26, 2010

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Today on The World: British authorities are criticized for deporting Iraqi asylum seekers whose applications were rejected in the UK; Also, gang violence on the streets of Medellin, Colombia forces hundreds of kids there to drop out of school; And we remember one of the stars of soccer’s World Cup this year: Paul the octopus has passed away. Download MP3

Controversial deportations from Europe

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Britain has just deported 40 Iraqi citizens who had been seeking asylum there. It’s the latest in a series of Iraqi deportations by European governments. The UN’s Refugee agency has criticized the move, saying failed asylum seekers should not be sent back to Iraq. The World’s Laura Lynch reports from London. Download MP3

US working with Afghan police

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Afghanistan’s President Karzai promised to close foreign private security companies by the end of the year. International officials are urging Karzai to reverse his decree. They warn that aid workers can’t rely on Afghan police to protect them. As it turns out, US forces in Afghanistan have been trying for some time to improve the performance of the local police forces. Progress has been erratic. Ben Gilbert was embedded with the 504th Military Police Battalion in Kandahar City when he sent this report on the training of the Afghan police. Download MP3
Slideshow: See images from Ben Gilbert’s reporting

Paul the Octopus dies

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The soccer world is in mourning today. Paul the Octopus has passed away at his aquarium in the German city of Oberhausen. He apparently died of natural causes. Paul predicted the outcome of all of Germany’s matches in this year’s World Cup and Spain’s win in the final.Before every match, he’d be shown two clear plastic boxes. Inside each was a mussel and a country’s flag. Paul picked the right one every time.BBC’s Matt Cole has more.Download MP3
Video: Paul predicts a victory of Spain against Germany

Apple Records releases 15 remastered albums

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British band The Beatles started Apple Corp. in the late 1960s. The music division — Apple Records — was designed as an open invitation for talented musicians to come and record. Apple Records has now released 15 albums that have just been remastered. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks to Peter Asher, an early Apple employee and friend of The Beatles. Download MP3