Entire program – December 24, 2009

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Today on The World: Authorities in Yemen say their forces killed more than 30 al Qaeda militants in an air raid; Hamas urges Egypt to stop building a wall along its border with Gaza; and Yuletide music – with a global spin.

A Middle East update from correspondent Alan Johnston

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In 2007, he was kidnapped and held by militants in Gaza for 117 days. Johnston just returned to the region for the first time since his release. He says some things have changed. On today’s show, we get a Middle East update from correspondent Alan Johnston.

• Alan Johnston returns to Nablus in the West Bank
• Crossing Continents website
• BBC coverage
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International Yuletide music

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We close our Christmas Eve program with some international Yuletide music. And no one is more qualified to fill your Christmas iPod than our very own Mike Wilkins. He’s an engineer here at The World. And Mike is a serious — some might say — obsessive collector of Christmas music. Download MP3

• Best Global Music 2009
• Best Global Music 2008
• Best Global Music 2007

KFC Christmas

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Christmas isn’t a national holiday in Japan but many Japanese celebrate the 25th with a special meal: fried chicken – specifically, Kentucky Fried Chicken. Colonel Sander’s chicken is considered a Christmas tradition there. The fast-food chain is so popular long lines form outside Japanese stores. Akiko Fujita reports. Download MP3

• KFC website

al Qaeda in Yemen

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Washington has launched a new effort to take on al Qaeda in Yemen. Recent air strikes have inflicted a toll on militants, but have also spread anti-American fervor. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Time magazine correspondent Vivienne Walt, who’s recently returned from Yemen.

Eritrea facing UN sanctions

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Eritrea is facing new UN Security Council sanctions for supporting al Qaeda-linked militants inside Somalia. The World’s Matthew Bell reports.

“An Unblinkered” look at Africa

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with journalist Joan Baxter about her book “Dust from our Eyes: An Unblinkered Look at Africa.”

Egypt’s wall to block Gaza tunnel smuggling

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Egypt is building an underground steel barrier along the border with Gaza to try to block smuggling tunnels. But as Aya Batrawy reports, people on the Egyptian side aren’t happy about their government’s construction.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Second-hand Christmas in France

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The World’s Gerry Hadden goes in search of second-hand deals for Christmas in Nancy, France.

Geo answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz, we were looking for an old city that celebrated the pagan festival Saturnalia this time of year. The answer is ancient Rome. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Dan Snow, who blogs for the BBC History Magazine, about Saturnalia.