Election drama in Iran

The World’s Laura Lynch reports on the political dramas unfolding in Iran in the days leading up to Friday’s presidential election. Listen

Shell oil settles Nigeria lawsuit

The oil company Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of human rights abuses in Nigeria. Shell is paying out 15.5 million dollars to relatives of the Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed in 1995. The lawsuit claimed Shell was complicit in their deaths, though Shell did [...]

Geo Quiz for June 9, 2009

Our daily geography quiz. Listen

Going after bus-driver scofflaws in Bogota

John Otis reports that bus drivers in Colombia’s capita, Bogota, are having to face the music after years of reckless driving. Politicians there are pushing to collect nearly half-a-billion dollars in traffic fines. Listen

“Marriage-hunting” in Japan

In Japan, many singles are taking no chances when it comes to getting married. They’re going to “marriage hunting” events, which are a like a mix between speed dating and a job interview. Even the government is getting involved. Akiko Fujita reports from Tokyo. Listen

Global hit and geo answer: Martial Solal and Chad

Martial Solal has been a leading figure in French jazz for a half century. The 82-year-old Algerian-born pianist speaks to anchor Marco Werman about his latest release. And before we end the show, we answer today’s Geo Quiz. We were looking for a country in central Africa where a national census is under way. The [...]

Are you concerned about the drug war in Mexico?

Mexico’s drug cartels are stepping up the violence. Recently senior police officers, members of their families and a judge have been assassinated in broad daylight. Do you fear this might spill over into the United States? What should Washington do about it?

How do you define peace?

Is it merely the absence of war? How do the personal and political meanings of peace relate to each other?

What are your favorite books about the Middle East?

Do you have a ‘must read’ tip? Do you prefer novels over non-fiction?

Obama dubbed, microblogging in China, bilingual politics in Belgium, and Bangla hip hop in NYC

Obama’s official and unofficial translators, political tweeting in China, a bilingual political party seeks votes in Belgium, and Bangladeshi hip hoppers rediscover their Bengali voices in New York City. Listen

What are you doing to reduce your carbon footprint?

How would you reform the immigration system?

How would you overcome America’s dependency on foreign oil?

President Obama has called for the U.S. to become energy independent, saying its reliance on foreign oil and global warming posed threats. Outlining his energy priorities, he said the country would not be held “hostage to dwindling resources, hostile regimes, and a warming planet”.

On patrol in Afghanistan

The World’s Aaron Schachter tells us about challenges facing US troops in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, among the country’s most violent regions. It’s largely controlled by the Taliban, but it’s also home to the largest US Marine base in Afghanistan. Watch Aaron Schachter’s audio slideshow. Listen to the radio report

Entire program – June 8, 2009

Today on The World: Two American journalists are sentenced to hard labor in North Korea; Europe’s political right gets a boost from European Parliament elections; And why President Obama’s choice for US ambassador to Mexico is causing a stir south of the border. Listen