Entire program – February 26, 2010

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Today on The World: Militants kill at least 17 people in a series of suicide attacks in Kabul today; Also, we hear why Libya’s Muammar Ghaddafi is calling for a holy war against Switzerland; Plus, “live” versus “tape-delayed” makes a big difference for Olympic TV viewers around the globe.

Is the Afghan Army ready for prime time?

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned the bombings in Kabul which killed up to nine Indians, a Frenchman and an Italian as a terrorist attack. The Taliban said they carried out the attacks. The assault comes as NATO and Afghan forces continue ‘Operation Moshtarak’ to combat the Taliban in the south of the country. Reporter Ben Gilbert looks at the battle readiness of the Afghan troops. Download MP3 (Photo: Ben Gilbert)

• Ben Gilbert’s photos from Kandahar
• BBC coverage
• Ben Gilbert: on IED patrol in Afghanistan
• Afghan civilians scared by US effort to stop roadside bombs

Suicide bombers and investment bankers

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We all tend think of ourselves as conscious, rational beings, but human behavior is largely driven by unconscious attitudes. Science journalist Shankar Vedantam shines a light in these dark corners of the mind in his new book, “The Hidden Brain.” Hear him talk about what suicide bombers and investment bankers have in common, and share your thoughts and questions with him online in The World Science Forum. Download MP3

• Click here to join the discussion
• The World Science Forum
• World Science Podcast
• Shankar Vedantam’s homepage

How to fix Haiti’s economy

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In the aftermath of January’s devastating earthquake there’s a lot of talk about finally getting things right in Haiti, a sense that the opportunity to rebuild means the opportunity to fix what’s been wrong. That’s as true of the economy as anything else. Still many experts are wary of solutions that have been tried and failed in the past, as The World’s Jeb Sharp reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage of the Haiti quake
• BBC Haiti flickr gallery
• Jeb’s history podcast ‘How we got here’

Madame White Snake

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A new opera will premiere in Boston on Friday. It’s a piece that was written, and developed in the city over the past four years. But its story is over a thousand years old. It’s based on the ancient Chinese legend that has never been brought to a Western audience. Sung in English with projected English and Chinese titles. The World’s Adeline Sire has more. Download MP3

• Opera Boston
• Facebook Madame White Snake: World Premiere
• Madame White Snake’s study guide
• Cutler Majestic Theatre

Attacks in Kabul

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with reporter Dion Nissenbaum in Kabul, where militants today attacked guesthouses used by foreigners in the heart of the Afghan capital. At least 17 people were killed.

More live coverage of Olympics outside US

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The World’s Carol Hills reports that “live” versus “tape-delayed” makes a big difference for Olympic TV viewers around the globe.

Australian Olympic view

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Cameron Williams, who’s covering the Olympic Games in Vancouver for Australia’s ABC TV network.

Ghaddafi vs. Switzerland

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Libyan leader Muammar Ghaddafi is calling for holy war against Switzerland. Anchor Marco Werman finds out why from Time Magazine’s Vivienne Walt, who has just returned from Libya.

Conversation with Egypt’s ambassador in US

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Egypt’s ambassador to the United States, Samed Shoukrey, about relations with the US and about Egypt’s current political situation.

Geo Quiz

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The World’s Geo Quiz takes you to a landlocked country in Western Europe where a new talking scanner could help make life a bit easier for the blind.

Geo answer

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The answers to today’s Geo Quiz are research stations in Antarctica: New Zealand’s Scott Base and the US McMurdo Station. The stations are now partly powered by the world’s southern-most wind farm. Anchor Marco Werman gets details from Ross Wind Farm project manager Scott Bennett.