Entire program – January 6, 2010

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Today on The World: The debate over how to fix the way US intelligence agencies process the information they collect; also, why one region in Spain – Catalonia – is considering a ban on bullfighting; plus – Chinese violin-makers are turning out top-quality instruments…and making Italian violin-makers nervous!

Failure “to connect the dots”

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Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair has promised action after sharp criticism from President Barack Obama over the failed attempt to blow up flight 253 on Christmas Day. The intelligence community had failed to “connect the dots”, Mr Obama said in a statement, adding: “That’s not acceptable, and I will not tolerate it.” Matthew Bell looks at the fallout after the President’s remarks. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• FAQ Jet bomber case
• Best of BBC: “I boarded a plane with an aerosol can”

Gitmo update

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Shortly after taking office, President Obama issued an executive order to shut down the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay within a year. That year is almost up but the White House recently acknowledged it won’t make that the January deadline. The World’s Katy Clark has reported several times from the detention facility, now she’s back for an update. Download MP3

• Katy’s previous Guantanamo coverage on The World
• FAQ on closing Guantanamo

“Sweating Bullets” in Serbia

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Meet Nick Slaughter, from “Sweating Bullets.” The cheesy detective show aired in the US from 1991 to 1993. America may have forgotten Nick Slaughter. But Serbia hasn’t. In fact, the star of the show, actor Rob Stewart, recently discovered his enduring fame in Serbia. Now he’s making a documentary about his experience, called Slaughter Nick for President. Later today, Matthew Brunwasser reports from Belgrade. Download MP3

• Video promo for Slaughter Nick for President
• Nick Slaughter on Facebook
• More on actor Rob Stewart

Catalonia to vote on bullfighting ban

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Animal lovers in one corner of Spain ended the year on a happy note. The Parliament of Catalonia has agreed to vote on whether to ban bullfighting. It is already relatively unpopular among Catalans but activists had to fight for years just to get the issue before legislators. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage

Violins – made in China

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China now makes 70% of the world’s violins. And the quality at the top-end is quite good. In fact, it’s making Italian violin makers nervous. In today’s Global Hit, Mary Kay Magistad checks out China’s violins. (Photo:Mary Kay Magistad) Download MP3

• Photo gallery: Making violins in China
• Illustrated transcript
• Laura Lynch on master violin maker Jamie Lazzara
• Global Hit archive

New travel rules questioned

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New security screening procedures ordered by President Obama focus on passengers travelling from high-risk countries. Many countries on the US list are predominantly Muslim. University of Michigan professor Juan Cole tells anchor Marco Werman why he doesn’t think that’s such a good idea.

Slovakian security surprise

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Security officials at a Slovakian airport planted explosives in a passenger’s luggage without his knowledge as part of a security exercise. They didn’t expect that the passenger would get through security and make it to his destination. The World’s Carol Zall has more.

Yemen, the new terrorism front

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Yemen has become a hotbed of radical Islamic militant activity. Many of Osama bin Laden’s former associates now live there. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Sudarsan Raghavan, Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Washington Post, who’s in Yemen and met bin Laden’s former personal bodyguard.

• Sudarsan Raghavan’s article in the Washington Post

Geo Quiz

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Where will our Geo Quiz take us today?

From pole to pole

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Our Geo Quiz asks you to estimate the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole. Here’s a clue: Earth’s circumference, at the equator, is about 25,000 miles. Can you do the math? Download MP3

Metal music reinterprets European legend

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Actor Christopher Lee is re-telling the story of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, with the help of a little heavy metal. Anchor Marco Werman has details.

• Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross