Entire program – December 15, 2009

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Today on The World: The Red Cross visits Taliban-held prisoners in Afghanistan; The man credited with bringing rock and roll to Korea is honored by American guitar-maker Fender; And books from around the world that young readers might like this holiday season.

Afghan dam project in peril

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Kajaki Dam project in Southern Afghanistan is a symbol of US involvement in the country going back to the 1950s. In recent years, the project has been a priority for international development efforts, but the Taliban insurgency has put the success of the dam at risk. Washington’s foreign aid agency USAID has now put the Kajaki project on hold amid security concerns. Matthew Bell has the story. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• USAID in Afghanistan
• Background Brief: Taliban insurgency

Children’s Holiday Books 2009

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You’ve gotten gifts for pretty much everyone on your list…or at least you’ve thought about what to get them. But here’s the problem…what about the kids? You’ve ruled out the zhu-zhu pet … Elmo Live … and anything to do with “High School Musical.” Well, you can’t go wrong with a good book. The World’s Carol Zall has been talking with writers and getting suggestions. Download MP3

• Holiday Books 2009
• See book illustrations and books covers
• Purchase these books here and support The World

Zamenhof Day

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Today is the most important day in the calendar for people who speak Esperanto. It is Zamenhof Day, named after the man who dreamed up the idea of an international language everybody would one day speak. L.L. Zamenhof was born 150 years ago, and though his dream was never realized, Esperanto is still spoken, it’s even undergoing something of a revival on the Internet. The World’s language expert Patrick Cox reports. Download MP3

• Esperanto League of North America
• Patrick Cox’s The World in Words Podcast

Antoni Gaudi, architect … and saint?

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In Spain, an unlikely candidate is being championed for sainthood. It’s Antoni Gaudi, perhaps the country’s most famous architect. Gaudi is best known for his modernist masterpieces such as the still unfinished Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona. Those who want him canonized say he was also a devout Catholic, and that his works actually convert people to Christianity. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona. Download MP3

• Video: Outside the Sagrada Familia
• Gaudi Club online

Red Cross visits Taliban prisons

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The Red Cross has a mandate to check on the condition of detainees in ALL armed conflicts. That includes prisoners held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Red Cross representatives just completed the first visit to a Taliban prison camp since 2001. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the head of the International Red Cross in Afghanistan, Reto Stocker.

Korea’s godfather of rock

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The man credited with bringing rock and roll to Korea more than 50 years ago was honored today with a specially-crafted guitar from Fender. It was the first time an Asian musician has received a tribute guitar from the American company. Reporter Jason Strother has the story.

Corruption in Afghanistan

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Afghanistan is rife with corruption, and the country’s leader admitted as much in a conference on the topic today. Jean MacKenzie, a Kabul-based correspondent for Global Post-dot-com, tells anchor Marco Werman that the US is actively engaged with Afghan officials that are known to be corrupt.

Arabs moving into Jewish settlements

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Jewish settlements in and around East Jerusalem have good municipal services. That’s attracted some Arab families to the settlements. And as The World’s Aaron Schachter reports, some Jewish residents aren’t happy about it.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography quiz.

Geo answer

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Our Geo Quiz today asked for the name of a proposed NEW state in India. The answer is Telangana. Anchor Marco Werman explains that Telangana is currently part of the state of Andhra Pradesh.