Thailand protests near showdown

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A series of explosions in the Thai capital Bangkok is reported to have killed at least three people and injured scores more. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said grenades had been fired from a camp of anti-government protesters. The explosions followed rising tensions in the stand-off between police and opposition demonstrators in the city. We get an update from the BBC’s Vaudine England in Bangkok. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Thailand’s red and yellow shirts
• On The World: Thai leader under rising pressure

Juan Gabriel’s music school

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When the Mexican border city of Juarez is in the news, it’s almost never for a good thing. One of the city’s biggest problems is a lack of social institutions that prevent young people from being recruited into organized crime. This was an issue one of Juarez’s most famous artists – Juan Gabriel – noticed 22 years ago when he founded a music school for boys. Reporter Monica Ortiz Uribe visited the school. Download MP3 (Photo:Monica Ortiz Uribe)

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Science podcast: Volcanic ash’s health effects

In the latest science podcast, Rhitu Chatterjee explores potential health impacts of ash from the Icelandic volcano with the difficult-to-pronounce name. Also, news about the future of U.S. space exploration and the puzzling health problems cropping up among the survivors of the Haiti earthquake. >

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SEC charges Goldman Sachs

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The Security and Exchange Commission has charged the investment bank Goldman Sachs with defrauding investors in several countries including those at a German bank called IKB. Financial Times columnist John Gapper tells host Jeb Sharp how the SEC will try to prove its case.

China’s richest man on trial

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Anchor Jeb Sharp speaks with The World’s Mary Kay Magistad about the case of Chinese tycoon Huang Guangyu. Once the richest man in China, he went on trial today, accused of insider trading and bribery.

Mexico’s markets going mainstream

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Mexico’s open food markets are giving way to US style supermarkets with produce and meat wrapped neatly in plastic. Reporter Mary Stucky finds out what’s behind the trend.

Women’s golf champ announces retirement

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Mexico’s top woman golfer Lorena Ochoa has shocked fans with her announcement that she’ll retire at the ripe old age of 28. Anchor Jeb Sharp gets details from Carlos Nava, sports editor for “Al Dia”, the “Dallas Morning News”‘ Spanish language newspaper.

US slighted in South Korean film

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There’s a new film that’s opened in South Korea about the No Gun Ri massacre of civilians in the start of the Korean War. Most Koreans don’t know about No Gun Ri. But some American veterans say the movie fans anti-American sentiment. Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzle.

Geo Answer

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For today’s Geo Quiz — we ask how long it takes for light to travel the 93 million miles from the Sun to the Earth: The answer is approximately 8 minutes and 19 seconds. The surface of the sun come into focus in some dazzling never before seen images taken by a NASA probe. Anchor Jeb Sharp gets details from John Leibacher, an astronomer at the National Solar Observatory in Tuscon, Arizona.

Music Heard on Air for April 22, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For April 22, 2010. Artists featured are Lamine Konte, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, MNO, Strength in Numbers, Nguyen Le.

Solar flares

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The Sun — as it’s never been seen before. One of NASA’s newest space probes is called the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The SDO has been taking some stunning images of the Sun. Scientists say they are the most detailed ever taken of the Sun’s stormy surface… Download MP3

See the Sun photos from NASA

Entire program – April 21, 2010

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Today on The World: South Africa is opening its doors for the soccer World Cup in June, but some foreign workers are feeling less than welcome; Airlines lost more than a billion dollars from the volcanic ash flight disruptions; and China holds a day of mourning for the victims of last week’s earthquake.

Europe reopens most of its airspace

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European airports have reopened for business, almost a week after a cloud of ash from an Icelandic volcano paralyzed the air travel industry. About 75% of European flights are due to operate on Wednesday, according to air traffic agency Eurocontrol. But delays are expected, as airlines try to cope with the backlog from the cancellation of 95,000 flights. The World’s Clark Boyd reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Video: Long wait to get home for Brits stuck in US
• How are you affected by the flight chaos?
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Living with South Africa’s foreign workers

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As South Africa prepares to host the World Cup in just under two months, it’s promising a warm welcome for tourists from around the globe.But the welcome mat isn’t out for everyone – particularly foreign workers from countries like Zimbabwe. The World’s Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Laura Lynch)

• Illustrated transcript
• Laura’s photos from South Africa
• Laura Lynch on ANC Youth leader Julius Malema