Entire program – January 12, 2010

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Today on The World: A conversation with Yemen’s foreign minister, who says his country doesn’t want the U-S involved in its efforts against al Qaeda; Also, new barriers in the Middle East, as Egypt and Israel both move to block parts of their borders; Plus, South Africa defends its security plan for soccer’s World Cup.

Gitmo debrief

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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. The White House has now acknowledged it won’t make that January deadline. The World’s Katy Clark has reported several times from the detention facility on Cuba, she just returned from another reporting trip there. Jeb Sharp gets a debrief. Download MP3 (Photo: Katy Clark)

• Katy’s update from Guantanamo (Jan 6)
• Katy’s previous Guantanamo coverage on The World
• FAQ on closing Guantanamo

Yemen’s fight with al Qaeda

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The US and its allies helping Yemen fight al-Qaeda should not pressure it to carry out reforms or resolve other internal conflicts, Yemen’s foreign minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said this week. Jeb Sharp speaks with Ali Muthana, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Yemen about his country’s relationship with the US. Download MP3 (Photo: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images)

• Embassy of Yemen in Washington DC
• Obama rules out sending US troops to Yemen
• The BBC’s Jeremy Bown: Yemen: Exotic, remote and ‘a little bit scary’

The poet of Baghdad

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Nabeel Yasin is a highly-acclaimed Iraqi poet who was blacklisted in his country in 1978 for refusing to write poems glorifying Saddam Hussein’s regime. Now three decades later he is back in his homeland where he is running for prime minister in the elections scheduled in March. Jeb Sharp talks with Yasin. Download MP3

• ‘The Poet of Baghdad’ – BBC video about Nabeel Yasin’s life
• BBC: the struggle for Iraq

al Qaeda in Canada

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An al Qaeda-inspired plot is making headlines in Canada. It involves a home-grown plot that allegedly targeted major landmarks in Toronto. This week, one of the alleged ringleaders went on trial. Anita Elash has more from Toronto.

Egypt and Israel strengthen border

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Egypt is building an underground barrier along its border with Gaza to prevent smuggling. And Israel says it will put up its own wall along its border with Egypt. Ursula Lindsey has the story from Cairo.

Taiwan develops taste for coffee

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Thibault Worth reports from Taiwan on a recent rise in the popularity of coffee and coffee shops on the island. This piece was produced with the help of Zing Jao. Photo below: Wei-ming Cho, who teaches aspiring baristas, demonstrating an old-fashioned coffee making device from Japan. Credit: Thibault Worth

Former British official defends choices on Iraq

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The man who served as press secretary, confidant and attack dog for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair today doggedly defended Britain’s decision to join Washington in invading Iraq. The World’s Laura Lynch reports from London on Alastair Campbell’s testimony to the Iraq panel.

Togo tragedy sparks security concerns

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The World’s William Troop reports that South African officials are fending off questions about security at next summer’s soccer World Cup. Concerns about security for the tournament have been raised following a machine gun attack on Togo’s national soccer team at a tournament in Angola.

Geo Quiz

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Where will our Geo Quiz take us today?

Geo answer interview

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For today’s Geo Quiz we were looking for the name of an area described as the “land of flowers” on a Chinese map from 1602 that’s on exhibit now at the Library of Congress. The answer is Florida. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Deanna Marcum, Associate Librarian at the Library of Congress, about the map and its history.

Nguyen Le

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