US journalists sentenced in North Korea

A court in North Korea has sentenced two American journalists to twelve years’ hard labor. The White House says the charges are without merit and the journalists should be freed. The World’s Jason Margolis has the story. Listen

A day in the life of a Palestinian truck driver

Last week, President Obama described the situation for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank as “intolerable.” The World’s Matthew Bell took a ride with a Palestinian truck driver today to get a sense of the challenges he faces trying to get his goods to Jerusalem. Listen View pictures from Matthew’s ride with a Palestinian [...]

Restarting the peace process

President Obama’s Middle East special envoy George Mitchell meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Bernard Avishai, author of The Hebrew Republic, about Mitchell’s prospects for bringing Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table. Listen

Ahmadinejad’s popularity in Iran

Iran holds presidential elections on Friday. The incumbent, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces three challengers. But don’t count him out. The World’s Laura Lynch reports on Ahmadinejad’s continuing popularity at home. Listen

Afghan business owners complain of corruption

Some 10,000 of the new U.S. troops ordered to Afghanistan are fanning out across the dangerous Afghan south. But for some Afghans, the American soldiers won’t make much difference… they say the threat they face is from government corruption. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports. Listen

European right gets boost

Europe took a turn to the political right in the just-concluded round of European Parliament elections. Some seats were won by extreme-right candidates, and anti-immigration sentiments came to the fore in several countries. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC’s Europe Editor, Olexiy Solohubenko. Listen

A surprise win in Lebanon’s elections

In Lebanon, a US-backed coalition has won the country’s parliamentary elections. Yesterday’s vote was expected to be very close. The losing side was a coalition that included the Syrian and Iranian-backed Islamist militant group Hezbollah. Ben Gilbert reports that coalition’s loss surprised many in Lebanon. Listen

Geo Quiz and Answer for June 8, 2009

The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is Sulaimaniya in northern Iraq. Some Iraqi teenagers from Sulaymaniya are getting a chance this month to experience US women’s basketball. Ten girls, ages 14-16, and two female coaches are part of an international sports exchange sponsored by the State Department in partnership with Global Sports Partners/Sports4Peace. Anchor Lisa [...]

President Obama’s pick for Mexico ambassador

President Obama’s choice for US ambassador to Mexico has sparked some controversy south of the border. Carlos Pascual is a career diplomat with an expertise in the problems of failed states. That’s a sensitive topic in Mexico, given the violence and lawlessness associated with drug cartels there. The World’s Lorne Matalon reports. Listen

Show Ender: De-coding the Alhambra

Investigators are trying to catalog the thousands of Arabic inscriptions that cover the walls and columns of the Alhambra in Granada. The Alhambra was the last Moorish fort to fall to the Christians during the Spanish conquest. Its inscriptions shed light on its history. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Granada. And we end our [...]

Iran’s Elections Online, US Cybersecurity, Emergency ICT in Pakistan

This week, we go to the Swat Valley in Pakistan to hear how a group of ICT emergency responders are helping UN workers deliver vital aid to those in need. Also, Iran’s presidential election goes online, and President Obama announces a major push to improve America’s cybersecurity. We’ll also talk about using bananas as a low-tech fuel source. Listen

Global Political Cartoons: May 31 to June 5, 2009

“A New Beginning” is the theme of this week’s global political cartoons. It was the title of the speech President Barack Obama gave in Cairo when he addressed Muslims around the world. But it could easily describe the message of the GM bankruptcy and reports out of South Korea that North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il has nominated his third and youngest son, 26-year-old Jong-Un, as his successor.

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Entire program – June 5, 2009

Today on The World: Coverage of President Obama’s visit to Germany, Also, what President Obama’s proposal for global science envoys means to the world of science; and why America’s Polka King has seen his last Grammy Award. Listen

President Obama in Germany

President Obama was in Germany today where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel and visited Buchenwald, the site of a Nazi concentration camp. The World’s Jane Little reports from Dresden. Listen

Muslims worried over European election results

The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on some surprises in the European parliamentary election results this week. Some far-right, anti-Islamic parties made unexpectedly strong showings, and that’s fanned fears among European Muslims. Listen