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Britain
Sharia arbitration in Britain
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Two years ago Britain’s Archbishop of Canterbury provoked a storm of criticism by suggesting it might be necessary for the British legal system to incorporate certain aspects of sharia for its Muslim citizens. Britain allows arbitration panels to rule according to Islamic law on some issues. And the founders of arbitration say they’re getting business from an unexpected quarter: non Muslims. The World’s Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3
Islamic scholar issues anti-terrorism fatwa
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An influential Muslim scholar has issued a global ruling against terrorism and suicide bombing. Dr Tahir ul-Qadri says his fatwa completely dismantles al-Qaeda’s violent ideology. The scholar describes al-Qaeda as an “old evil with a new name.” Dr Qadri’s organization, Minhaj ul-Quran, is growing in Britain. Marco Werman talks with The World’s religion editor Jane Little about the fatwa. Download MP3
A Cross-Border Comparison of Stimulus Spending
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Just over a year ago, President Obama and Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better know as “The Stimulus.” It was a $787 billion shot-in-the-arm to the U.S. economy, a mix of tax cuts and expenditure spending.
The U.S. wasn’t the only country to take such action. On the Global Economy Podcast, we look at how the stimulus plans in different countries have fared and compare the actions taken by the Canadian and U.S. governments.
NATO prepares big offensive against Taliban
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Hundreds of villagers living in a Taliban-controled area of southern Afghanistan are leaving before a major NATO-led offensive gets under way. It is expected to be one of the largest counter-insurgency operations since the Afghan conflict began in 2001. The operation to clear insurgents from the southern town of Marjah, in Helmand province, is expected to begin soon. The BBC’s Frank Gardner is 90 miles east of Marjah in Kandahar. Download MP3
Charges filed in British expense scandal
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Download MP3Prosecutors in Britain filed the first criminal charges against lawmakers accused of abusing the government’s expense reimbursement system. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Rob Watson, who’s covering the story in London.
Blair denies covert deal with Bush on Iraq
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Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied striking a “covert” deal to invade Iraq with George W. Bush at a private meeting in 2002 at the President’s ranch in Texas. Blair told the Iraq inquiry in London there was no secret about what was said – that Saddam Hussein had to be dealt with and “the method of doing that is open”. Laura Lynch has been watching the inquiry. Download MP3 Britain’s inquiry into the Iraq war
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The UK government’s former top lawyer has said he initially believed a second UN resolution was necessary to justify invading Iraq in 2003, but changed his mind a month before the war. Critics of the war have long suspected that former Attorney General Peter Goldsmith was pressured to change his mind by then Prime Minister Tony Blair (pictured). Blair is expected to testify before the inquiry on Friday. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3
Baghdad rocked by deadly triple blast
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At least 36 people have died in three large explosions apparently targeting hotels in the heart of Iraq’s capital. More than 70 were injured in the Baghdad blasts, which police said were caused by suicide car bombers. The attacks came as the Iraqi government announced that Saddam Hussein’s former defense minister Ali Hassan al-Majid – also known as “Chemical Ali” – had been executed. The BBC’s Jim Muir is in Baghdad. Download MP3 (AP Photo: Khalid Mohammed)
Weird words like whiffling, and the elusive meaning of peace
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A conversation with Adam Jacot de Boinod, a seeker of obscure but colorful English expressions. If you read his new book, “The Wonder of Whiffling”, you’ll know whether you prefer to muppet shuffle or dwile flunk. You’ll know if you are a pozzy-wallah. Some of expressions are brand new, others long gone. Also, the meaning of the word peace. Barack Obama was the latest figure to tweak its definition when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and made the argument for “just war”. Download MP3
Britain’s winter woes
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People in Britain are struggling with the harshest winter conditions in quite some time. With overnight temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit and days of snow fall, thousands of schools remain shut and power cuts are affecting thousands of homes. We’ll have more from Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3 (Photo of Hawick, Scotland by Neil Dickson)
One state’s trade boom…
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During the first three months of the year, trade fell across the board in 49 U.S. states. Which state managed to buck the trend? Tune into the podcast to find out.
Also on this edition of the podcast: A socialist toy fair in Venezuela, Britain begins labeling food from the West Bank as either Israeli or Palestinian, and young voices in Spain talking about their country’s soaring unemployment rate.
Climate science fracas
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Download MP3The United Nations is conducting an investigation into claims that British scientists manipulated data on global warming to support their argument that it’s man made. The World’s Laura Lynch has the story.
British inquiry into Iraq war continues
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Tony Blair’s view on regime change in Iraq “tightened” after a private meeting of the British Prime Minister with President George W. Bush in 2002, the UK’s former ambassador to the United States has testified. Sir Christopher Meyer said no officials were at the Bush family ranch talks but the next day Blair mentioned regime change for the first time. The World’s Laura Lynch continues her coverage of the UK inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Download MP3 (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)British inquiry into Iraq war
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The man in charge of the official British inquiry examining events surrounding the Iraq war has said his committee will not produce a report that is a “whitewash.” John Chilcot has promised to produce a “full and insightful” account. Evidence from senior government figures will start on Tuesday and politicians, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be expected to testify in due time. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3
Ghana’s first skier off to the Olympics
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Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong was born in the Scottish city of Glasgow, but he grew up in Accra, Ghana. That never stopped him from dreaming of becoming a professional skier. He honed his skills on an artificial slope in Britain. And now, the “snow leopard” as he’s known will be Ghana’s one-man ski team next year at the Vancouver Winter Games. The World’s Alex Gallafent has the story. Download MP3(Audio available after 5PM Eastern)
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