Archive for 2010
South African leader weds
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South African President Jacob Zuma now has three wives — after his latest wedding today. South Africans are divided on their attitudes toward polygamy. Jeb Sharp speaks with South African professor Penny Andrews about reactions to Jacob Zuma’s multiple wives.
Geo Quiz
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For today’s geo quiz, we are looking for the name of the building in Taiwan that held the title of world’s tallest building… until the newly-opened Burj in Dubai came along to take top spot.
Romas under attack in Europe
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Europe’s largest minority group, the Roma, is struggling to cope with a rise in attacks against Romas in several countries. That’s prompted a surge in asylum requests from Romas hoping to leave central Europe for Canada. The World’s Laura Lynch reports from Hungary.
Geo answer
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For today’s geo quiz, we are looking for the name of the building in Taiwan that held the title of world’s tallest building… until the newly-opened Burj in Dubai came along to take top spot. The answer is the building known as “Taipei 101.” The structure in the Taiwanese capital is now the SECOND-tallest building in the world.
Lhasa
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We pay tribute to singer-songwriter Lhasa de Sela. Lhasa established her musical career in Montreal and in 1997 her debut album ‘La Llorona’ won the Canadian Juno Award for Best Global Artist. The bluesy, rootsy voice of Lhasa was silenced on New Year’s Day.
Music Heard on Air for January 1, 2010
Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for January 1, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Mike Meier, Bela Fleck, Axiom of Choice, Kaki King.
Learning about the brain with magic
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Neuroscientists are teaming up with magicians to learn about human behavior and the brain. The World’s Science correspondent Rhitu Chatterjee recently spoke with neuroscientists Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde about what the two professions are teaching each other. Macknik and Martinez-Conde are also the authors of the new book “Sleights of Mind,” and they are taking listener questions on The World’s online Science Forum discussion. Download MP3
Music Heard on Air for January 4, 2010
Tunes Spun On The Word Between our reports for January 4, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Oran Etkin, Hassan Erajji, Ethos-Percussion Group, Ali Akbar Khan.
Charles Sennott’s “Inside the Taliban” series
Among the foreign policy challenges the Obama Administration will face over the coming year, Afghanistan might be the most intractable. The future of Afghanistan will be determined partly by its government in Kabul, partly by the Pentagon in Washington, and partly by a group of men who call themselves The Taliban. The Taliban rose to power in Afghanistan in the mid-90s, it ruled the country in the late 90s, and fell to the US-led invasion in 2001. Nowadays, the Taliban seems to be gaining strength again…not only in Afghanistan but also in neighboring Pakistan. This past July, we broadcast a series of reports on the movement’s history and fluctuating fortunes. The reports were filed by Charles Sennott, who has covered the Taliban from their early days. This seems a good time to revisit that series. Charles Sennott joins us in the studio.
Listen to the full series:
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Charges dropped against the firm Blackwater
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A federal judge dropped charges against five private security contractors with the firm Blackwater. The guards were charged with killing 17 Iraqis, and injuring 20, two years ago. The World’s Jason Margolis has more on the reaction to the judge’s decision. Download MP3
Outrage in Baghdad over Blackwater decision
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A court decision to drop the case against US contractors allegedly involved in the killing of 17 Iraqi civilians in 2007 has provoked outrage in Baghdad. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with the BBC’s Haddad Salih. Download MP3
Spanish prayers, Hebrew planet names and a Danish hangover
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We talk to the director and central figure in a PBS documentary about a Catholic church’s struggles with language. “Scenes From a Parish” follows the priests and parishioners of St Patrick’s in Lawrence, MA. The priests introduce more Spanish masses to cater to Lawrence’s predominantly Latino population. Some English-speaking parishioners are less than thrilled. Also, how do you say Neptune and Uranus in Hebrew? The answer used to be: Neptune and Uranus. Now the two planets have Hebrew names. Finally, a New Year’s Day hangover courtesy of the good people of Denmark
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Ustad Mahwash
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We’re staying in Afghanistan for today’s Global Hit. Farida Mahwash was born in Kabul in 1947. She’s more formally known as Ustad Mahwash. Ustad means ‘maestro.’ It’s a title she was granted in 1977 by the Afghan government. Farida Mahwash was the first woman ‘ustad.’ Not surprisingly, that was controversial. But she was not put off by her detractors. Download MP3
Global Political Cartoons: December 26, 2009 – January 1, 2010
The World’s Carol Hills reviews the week’s news through political cartoons from around the globe. This week it’s out with the old and in with the new as we begin 2010. The new in question appears to be an obsession with airport security, a shaky Iran, and an even shakier economy.
Entire program – January 1, 2010
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A federal judge has dropped charges against five private security contractors with the Blackwater firm; Also, we go “Inside the Taliban”; And for today’s Global Hit — music from one of the most acclaimed singers from Afghanistan.
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