Entire program – December 9, 2009

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Today on The World: Divisions emerge among developing countries at climate summit, Three women challenge Ireland’s strict abortion law in a European court, and Arab comedians gather in Jordan for an international comedy festival.

Campaigning for Kiribati on climate

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At the UN climate talks in Denmark small island states and poor African nations vulnerable to climate impacts have laid out demands for a legally-binding deal tougher than the Kyoto Protocol. This is opposed by richer developing states such as China, which fear tougher action would curb their growth. One of the concerned island nations is Kiribati. Its Copenhagen delegation is getting some help from British environmental campaigner Alex Randall, who offered his services to poor nations most affected by climate change. Marco Werman talks with Randall. Download MP3 (AP Photo: Katsumi Kasahara)

• BBC coverage of the Copenhagen conference
• Environment coverage on The World

Ireland’s abortion law in court

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The Irish Republic’s strict abortion law is being challenged in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Three Irish women, all of whom traveled to Britain to have an abortion, say the effective ban on abortion in Ireland violates the European Convention on Human Rights. A referendum to make Ireland’s abortion laws even more strict failed in 2002 (PA photo). Jane Little reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Religion coverage on The World

Sapporo’s space barley beer

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Talk about a beer that’s out of this world. Japanese brewer Sapporo is introducing Space Beer. It’s produced using malt made from barley seeds that spent five months aboard the International Space Station. Anchor Marco Werman talks about Sapporo’s new offering with “The Beer Goddess,” Lisa Morrison. Download MP3

• Lisa Morrison’s radio show: Beer O’Clock
• BBC Video: ‘Out of this world’ Japanese beer

… you’ve been a beautiful audience!

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Did you hear the one about a stand up comedy festival in Amman, Jordan? The World’s Aaron Schachter did and he brings us the story. Download MP3 (Photo of comedian Dean Obeidallah by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Doha Tribeca Film Festival)

• Info about the Amman Stand Up Comedy Festival

Conflict in Copenhagen

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There was tension today at the Copenhagen climate summit. But it wasn’t a dispute between industrialized countries and developing nations. Developing nations started arguing among themselves Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from the BBC’s environmental correspondent, Richard Black.

Paris heat wave offers lessons on climate change

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In 2003, Europe was hit by a major heat wave. It caused the death of about 1,200 people in Paris. Now the city is trying to learn from that tragedy, as it plans for the kind of extreme temperatures climate change could bring. Reporter Daniel Grossman has the story.

Blame game after Moscow nightclub fire

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Reporter Jessica Golloher reports from Moscow on the fall-out following night club fire last weekend that’s killed 124 people.

Russia’s culture of accountability

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Christian Science Monitor correspondent Fred Weir in Moscow about the Russian culture of accountability.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Geo answer

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The answer to our Geo Quiz today is Kyoto, Japan, where a seasonal tradition is being celebrated this week at several of the city’s temples. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Nori Akashi and Tomoko Inuishi of the Japan National Tourism Organization in New York about the annual Daikon radish festival in Kyoto.

Fat Freddy’s Drop

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Finally today — an eight-man band from New Zealand is the focus of our Global Hit. It’s called Fat Freddy’s Drop. Corey Takahashi caught up with them in Los Angeles. Download MP3

• Fat Freddy’s Drop homepage
• YouTube Video: The Trailer Incident