Mideast peace talks begin

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After yesterday’s White House talks with President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are sitting down together to begin peace talks that could eventually lead to the creation of a Palestinian state. Thursday’s talks are also being attended by Jordan’s King Abdullah and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The BBC’s Kim Ghattas is at the State Department. Download MP3

• Video: BBC coverage
• Attack overshadows Middle East talks
• FAQ: Resuming direct Middle East peace talks

Hawking: “No place for God”

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There is no place for God in theories on the creation of the Universe, Professor Stephen Hawking has said. He had previously argued belief in a creator was not incompatible with science but in a new book, he concludes the Big Bang was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics. The Grand Design, part serialized in the London Times, says there is no need to invoke God to set the Universe going. Alex Gallafent has more. Download MP3

• Twitter: See what people are saying about Stephen Hawking
• BBC coverage
• Give the BBC your theories on the origin of the universe

Living on garbage in the Philippines

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Trash is cash for many living in the Quezon City dumpsite near Manila in the Philippines but it’s also perilous. Ten years ago a pile of rain soaked garbage crashed down, burying nearly 300 squatters. That set off a move to convert the site into a controlled waste operation but the program is due to end by December – and the trash continues to grow. Reporter Simone Orendain visited the dumpsite. (Photo: Simone Orendain) Download MP3

• Audio slideshow from the World archives: Tijuana garbage culture (2007)
• In pictures: Manila slum fire

China’s Army sings Lady Gaga

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China now not only has more people online than the US has citizens and many are getting slyly creative. They’re using old icons in new ways posting mash-ups of vintage People’s Liberation Army choir footage with modern pop hits. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad has more from Beijing. Download MP3

• Video: Watch the video mash-ups of the Red Army and Lady Gaga
• Xinjiang one year after the protests
• On the road with the Chinese Foreign Ministry

South American nature reserve

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In the Geo Quiz we’re looking for the smallest independent nation in South America. It has the highest percentage of rainforest cover on earth and Dutch is the official language there. Download MP3

• Picture gallery
• Conservation International

Entire program – September 2, 2010

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Today on The World: the latest on the Middle East peace talks in Washington; also, an Iraqi immigrant’s new life in the United States; Plus, Internet users in China poke fun at old Communist icons.