2009 November 20 | PRI's The World

Archive for November 20th, 2009

Dark truth about Latin American energy

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Several Latin American countries have recently been hit by major power shortages, raising concerns that the region is facing a serious energy crisis. In some countries, like Venezuela and Ecuador, blackouts have become increasingly regular. But there have also been other less frequent outages as far afield as Cuba and Brazil.

Pablo Esparza of BBC Mundo has more>>>

Entire program – November 20, 2009

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Today on The World What if the US loses in Afghanistan? Also, a visit to one of many rural town in Mexico caught in the crossfire of that country’s drug war; And how India’s power companies are battling widespread electricity theft.

Afghanistan attacks

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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A controversial former Afghan warlord Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, now a member of the Afghan parliament, has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt which killed at least five of his bodyguards, police say. Earlier at least 16 people were killed in a suicide attack in Farah province in the south-west on the country.

Mexican towns suffer from drug war

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In Mexico, the bloody battle to defeat the country’s powerful drug cartels is reeking havoc on formerly tranquil towns. Daylight shootings, kidnappings and extorion are becoming increasingly common. This is the case in Camargo, Chihuahua – Monica Ortiz Uribe visited the town six hours south of the Texas border.

New Delhi’s electricity thieves

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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India’s capital New Delhi has long suffered from a particular crime: electricity theft. For a fee, residents and businesses can hire electricians to bypass meters and plug directly in to the grid for free. But the private companies now running New Delhi’s power plants have started to fight back. Reporter Elliot Hannon takes us on a power raid outside New Delhi.

What if US loses in Afghanistan?

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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The World’s Katy Clark looks at the question: what if the US loses in Afghanistan? What will that mean for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India?

Murders in Peru recall ancient myth

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A criminal gang in Peru is suspected in a string of horrific murders that include extracting body fat from their victims. Police in Peru have dubbed the gang “pistacos” after a mythical being known to many Peruvians. Anchor Jeb Sharp finds out about the ancient myth from Harvard professor Gary Urton.

US CEO pushes to end Cuba travel ban

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Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with Barney Harford, President and CEO of Orbitz Worldwide. The company is calling for an end to the U.S. ban on travel to Cuba.

Low profile for new EU leaders

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The European Union’s has a new president and a new foreign minister. They are not high-profile politicians, and some wonder if that’s good or bad for the E-U. The World’s Laura Lynch reports.

More soccer hand-wringing

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Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with The World’s soccer aficionado. William Troop, for the latest on the hand-ball shocker that sent France to the soccer World Cup next year.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz we asked where Islam ranks among the many religions of India? The answer is SECOND…right after Hinduism. And for extra credit? India’s 170-million Muslims make up just about 13 percent of the total population. Now one of India’s conservative Muslim groups has declared that the country’s beloved national song is un-Islamic. The BBC’s Chris Morris has the story.

Global Hit

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The World’s Marco Werman tells us about a big benefit concert this weekend in Las Vegas. It’s an unusual one for Vegas. It features top musicians from Algeria, Syria and Iraq.

Tech Podcast 268: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Returns!

By Clark Boyd ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Tons of fun in this week’s podcast. The highlight is the return of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Eoin Colfer, who you may know as author of the Artemis Fowl series, has taken on the task of writing Book Six of Three in the H2G2 universe. It’s called And Another Thing… and we’ve got an interview with Colfer on this week’s podcast! We also hear about expert windmill builder, William Kamkwamba.

Spelling Obama in Chinese, oratory, and chop suey love

By The World ⋅ November 20, 2009 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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In this all-Chinese pod, how to spell Obama in Chinese. Then, the contrasting oratorical styles of presidents Hu and Obama. That’s followed by something on a type of Chinese idiom known as chengyu. Then to the UK, where Confucian philosophy infuses Chinese language classes in five public schools. Finally, poet Marilyn Chin on why she loves the expression chop suey.