PRI's The World » 11/17/2009

Entire program – November 17, 2009

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:21:45 +0000

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Today on The World: President Obama tackles a long list of topics in his meeting with China’s Hu Jintao; Also, a lawsuit highlights the limits of press freedoms in Iraq; And, Beirut’s tiny Jewish community rebuilds its synagogue.

President Obama in South Korea

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:04 +0000

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President Obama’s Asia visit will conclude this week in South Korea. A yet to be ratified free trade deal and the ongoing conflict with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program will likely top the agenda. But many South Koreans are more worried about their government’s decision to dispatch troops to Afghanistan. Jason Strothers previews the President’s visit.

US and China ‘to work together’

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:19:17 +0000

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President Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao have agreed to work together to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. On climate change, Mr. Obama said both sides agreed on the need for a comprehensive global deal in Copenhagen next month, not a political statement. Their agenda also included Tibet, the economy, and nuclear proliferation. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad is covering the summit in Beijing.

Alex the Jester

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:17:15 +0000

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We’re going underground for today’s Geo Quiz. There are subway systems in just about every major city around the globe. The one we’re looking for opened in 1935. Today it ranks as the world’s second-busiest rapid-transit system after Tokyo’s. We find out the answer from Alex the Jester.

Video: Alex the Jester
Alex the Jester’s website

Meeting of the grandchildren

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:16:30 +0000

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Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong and his arch-rival for control of China, Chiang Kai-shek had a complex relationship. Now two of their grandchildren have met for the first time. Taiwan split from mainland China as Chiang’s Nationalist forces fled the victorious Communists in 1949. Marco Werman has more.

Explosive export

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:16:15 +0000

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20 years ago, on the eve of the Velvet Revolution, Communist Czechoslovakia churned out tractors, Skoda cars, and – Semtex. The lethal and highly portable plastic explosive is still being manufactured in the Czech Republic and only there. The BBC’s Tim Whewell explores the legacy of Semtex.

Britain struggling over Afghanistan role

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:15:05 +0000

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The World’s Laura Lynch reports on the British government’s struggle to shore up public support for its role in Afghanistan.

Nabokov last novel

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:53 +0000

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Over thirty years after his death, Vladimir Nabokov’s last, unfinished novel, was released today. Anchor Marco Werman discusses the novel with Keith Gessen, editor of the New York literary magazine, N+1.

Palestinian faction advocates statehood

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:09:53 +0000

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With the Israeli-Palestinian peace process stalled, many Palestinians have given up on negotiations. They want to unilaterally declare an independent Palestinian state. Linda Gradstein reports from Ramallah in the West Bank.

Freedom of the press in Iraq

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:09:13 +0000

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There’s growing concern over freedom of the press in Iraq. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Ghaith Abdul Ahad, a reporter with the Guardian newspaper of London. His paper was recently fined by a court in Baghdad for an article criticizing Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki of being autocratic.

Rebuilding Beirut’s synagogue

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:08:12 +0000

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Beirut used to have a thriving Jewish community. But many Lebanese Jews fled during the country’s 15 year civil war. Now Beirut’s tiny Jewish community is trying to rebuild a synagogue there that was heavily damaged during the war — and in the process, rebuilding the community. Ben Gilbert has the story.

Slavic Soul Party!

The World — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:06:35 +0000

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Anchor Marco Werman tells us about the New York based band Slavic Soul Party!