Entire program – July 22, 2009

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Today on The World: Plans for a new trade route across South America that would rival the Panama Canal; Also, Morocco’s efforts to keep extremists at bay; And a British tradition that involves counting swans.

Development in the Arab world

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times about a new report on the obstacles that slow down progress in the Arab world. It’s by the United Nations, and it identifies several key problems in the region. They include: a surging population; struggling economies; weak environments; poor health care; lack of representative government and human rights abuses.

Morocco’s fight against extremism

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on how Morocco is working to keep extremist activity under control. Some of the credit may go to a government program that encourages moderate Islam.

Over the Andes: A new trade route for South America?

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Melaina Spitzer reports from Ecuador on an ambitious scheme to create an overland trade route in South America that rivals the Panama Canal. The plan involves moving goods from Pacific to Atlantic through a combination ports, highways and riverways. Not everyone thinks the scheme could work.

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Youngest soccer player

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Anchor Lisa Mullins tells us about a 12-year-old boy who made his debut this week as a professional soccer player in Bolivia.

Key finding on AIDS

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Scientists studying chimps in Tanzania have made a discovery that could change our understanding of AIDS. The scientists say chimps infected with a virus closely related to HIV are developing immune problems and dying at a high rate. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the study’s lead author, Beatrice Hahn of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

More info on missing link fossil

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We hear how a Norwegian palaeontologist secured a 47 million year-old primate fossil called Ida for his Oslo museum.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Brits count swans

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The BBC’s James Fletcher reports on a centuries-old English tradition: the counting of swans known as Swan Upping.

Geo answer

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks reporter Cindy Sui, who is covering the World Games now underway in Taiwan. The games feature sports not included in the Olympics. Our Geo Quiz asked for the name of the port city hosting the World Games. The answer is Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan.

Global Hit: Anas Fakhry

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Aaron Schachter profiles Syrian rocker Anas Fakhry, who melds Arabic classical music with the rhythms of heavy metal.