And so...on to 2009, with a tech podcast theme sent in by Dave Asma of Spunkshine. We head first to the mid-east to hear from bloggers on both sides of the conflict, and hear about a website that uses short videos to bring the two sides together. Also, China tackles web porn, and Italy cracks down on Facebook. We also hear about a novel use of cell phones in Germany....and shhhh (hic) a secret track.

Download WTP 226

In honor of the leap second being added to the end of 2008, we bring you this special podcast. It's been a pleasure bringing you the Tech Podcast this year. We wish all of you all the best in 2009.

Download WTP 225

Doctors, musicians, educators and activists around the world are fine tuning our understanding of how profoundly-moving music can help treat the profoundly-damaged brain.

In today's Global Hit, we hear from Russian trumpet player Alexei Sipiagin. He describes his journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to playing at the pinnacle of American jazz.

Today's answer is the city of Kano in northern Nigeria. It's the country's third largest city, by area, and motorcycle drivers there are unhappy about a new law that requires them to wear helmets. Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with the BBC's Andrew Walter in Nigeria.

Today's Geo Quiz takes us to Nigeria.

The World's Katy Clark reports on a group of Midwestern US diary farmers who travelled to rural Mexico to meet the families of the migrant workers they employ back in the US.

Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Doris Meissner, former head of the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, about the current state of relations between the US and Mexico on immigration issues. President-elect Obama is schedule to meet with Mexican president Felipe Calderon on Monday.

Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with BBC correspondent Zubair Ahmed in India about a "mock documentary" called "The President is Coming." The film pokes fun at President Bush but also makes fun of India's fascination with America.

The World's Gerry Hadden reports on a campaign to promote atheism in Spain. As part of the campaign, advertising posters on buses in Barcelona have been displaying messages like "There's probably no God, now stop worrying and enjoy life."