Nazi deserters pardoned

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This month Germany overturned the sentences of tens of thousands of German soldiers convicted of treason during World War II. The move comes late for most of the fighters. The vast majority were executed, died in concentration camps or were killed in so-called death battalions before the war ended. Still exonerating these rebellious ranks has symbolic importance for a country still dealing with its Nazi past. The World’s Gerry Hadden met one of Germany’s three surviving Nazi traitors and has his story. Download MP3

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The cost of getting lost in Catalonia

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The government in Spain’s northwest region of Catalonia says it spends about 3-million dollars a year rescuing ill-prepared hikers from the region’s mountains…but no more. Now it’s charging reckless hikers for their rescues. The World’s Gerry Hadden explains.

Germany’s job strategy

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Germany has come up with a number of plans from both the public and private sector to keep people working and the economy moving. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Hamburg.

German elections

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has outlined plans to form a swift coalition with the Free Democrats after a major win in the general election. Merkel said the result was a great vote of trust, and that a government would be formed by November. Voters were concerned about Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan and the bad economy.

German vote

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They are a strong constituency in German politics — as The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Hamburg.

Italy calls for exit from Afghanistan

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Italy’s Prime Minister says he wants Italian troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible. That’s after six Italian soldiers participating in NATO operations in Afghanistan died yesterday in a suicide bomb attack. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Dutch cartoon trial

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An Arab organization is to be put on trial in the Netherlands over its publication of a cartoon which questions the Holocaust. The Arab European League (AEL) said the decision to prosecute illustrated bias against Muslims. It said the same standards were not applied to the Dutch politician Geert Wilders (pictured), who made a film including cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3

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Cartoon tensions in the Netherlands

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Prosecutors in the Netherlands say they will charge an Arab cultural group for hate crimes because of a cartoon on their website which has offended Jewish groups. Arab groups say prosecutors are guilty of double standards. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.

Europe’s plan for asylum seekers

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on an ambitious new plan announced by the Europe Union to resettle more refugees from around the world. It’s partly to distribute them more equally around Europe. But it’s also an attempt to lower immigration.

Mon dieu! French oysters under attack

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It’s been a tough summer for France’s oyster farmers. The farmers, and their bivalves, are being battered by everything from bureaucrats to bacteria. And true to French tradition, the farmers are threatening strikes and protests if the government doesn’t do something. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Photo: David Monniaux/Wikimedia Commons. >>> Read more about the illness plaguing French oysters.

French produce workers threaten strike

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These are tough times for fruit and vegetable producers in France. And, true to French tradition, they’re threatening strikes and protests if the government doesn’t do something. The World’s Gerry Hadden has the story.

Castle building gets medieval

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Medieval enthusiasts in the Burgundy region in France are turning back the clock to the 13th century. They are building a castle, from scratch, using only tools and techniques from the Middle Ages. The World’s Gerry Hadden takes you behind the scenes of this unique project. >>>Click here to see more photos from the Guedelon Chateau.

French castle gets old-style facelift

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on a project in Burgundy, France in which workers are building a castle using only medieval tools and techniques.

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Disintegration of the French left

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports that the French Socialist party is in such disarray that some of its leaders are asking out loud whether its time to dissolve the party altogether.

Global Hit: WatchmanHit

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The World’s Gerry Hadden samples reggae from Morocco. He speaks with members of the band “WatchmanHit”.