PRI's The World » 11/16/2009

Entire program – November 16, 2009

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:42:03 +0000

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Today on The World: The latest on President Obama’s visit to China; Also, world leaders decide to delay the deadline for an international climate treaty; And, we find out why young girls in Mauritania are forced-fed in preparation for marriage.

Obama’s style in China

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:41:19 +0000

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President Barack Obama has told students in Shanghai that certain freedoms were universal – and not just limited to Americans. It’s not what the Chinese are used to seeing or hearing from their own president, Hu Jintao. Our Asia correspondent Mary Kay Magistad looks at the contrasting personal and oratory styles of Hu and Obama.

Race debate in China

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:10 +0000

Download MP3 President Obama arrived in China as people there are engaged in a debate over perceived racist attitudes. The debate was sparked by the vitriolic response to a biracial contestant on a televised talent show this summer. Phillip Martin has the story.

Beyond Copenhagen: Looking to 2010

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:05 +0000

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President Obama and other world leaders have agreed to postpone negotiations on a final climate treaty until next year. The move acknowledges the looming reality that major parties to the global talks scheduled for next month in Copenhagen are not ready to deliver the commitments they’d promised. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports on where the climate talks go from here.

Windpower from Scratch

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:38:23 +0000

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After dropping out of school as a teenager because of poverty and drought, William Kamkwamba built a windmill out of discarded materials in his village. Kamkwamba tells anchor Marco Werman how the windmill brought electricity to his tiny village in Malawi.

Piccolo Teatro Lirico

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:31:30 +0000

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Italy has a new – short – twist on a centuries-old art form. A small, historic theater in Rome was having a hard time surviving when it turned to trills and arias to help keep it afloat: opera. But not the usual hours-long, mega-productions. Megan Williams visited the Piccolo Teatro Lirico in the city’s historic center.

Roadblocks in Buenos Aires

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:29:01 +0000

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Ian Mount reports on the popularity of one particular form of protest in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The roadblock is used by everyone from the unemployed to war veterans to highlight their demands — whatever they may be.

Force-feeding in Mauritania

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:27:59 +0000

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Marco Werman speaks with Abigail Haworth, Senior International editor for the US edition of Marie Claire magazine. She reported on the practice of force-feeding young girls in Mauritania, a country where big is considered more beautiful.

Geo Quiz

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:27:10 +0000

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Worms in space

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:27:00 +0000

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The World’s Alex Gallafent explains why there were worms aboard the space shuttle that blasted into orbit today.

Write to us

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:25:18 +0000

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Anchor Marco Werman shares some listener comments and asks for more.

Geo answer

The World — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:24:37 +0000

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The answer to our Geo Quiz today is Ross Island, Antarctica. That’s where a hut used by polar explorer Ernest Shackleton still stands, and where some whiskey bottles have been buried in ice for over a century. Richard Paterson at Whyte & Mackay’s whisky distillery in Glasgow, Scotland tells anchor Marco Werman about the quest to salvage some of that vintage scotch.