Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Geo answer

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The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is the Loop Current, a warm ocean current that comes up from the Caribbean. There’s concern that it may play a role in spreading the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Eric Chassignet of the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies at Florida State University.

Music Heard on Air for May 19, 2010

Tunes Spun On The World Between Our Reports For May 19, 2010. Artists featured are Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Ensemble FizFuz, Kila, Jesse Cook, Mongo Santamaria.

A fast-moving current

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For today’s Geo Quiz, we want the name of a strong, fast-moving current in the Gulf of Mexico. Download MP3

Entire program – May 18, 2010

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Today on The World: France denies it struck a prisoner exchange deal with Iran; Also, three American moms ask Iran to release their children; Plus, residents of Mexico’s most dangerous city block their own streets to keep crime out.

France frees Iranian assassin

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A French court today ordered the release from prison of an Iranian man who was serving a life sentence for murder. He’ll be allowed to return to Iran. Ali Vakili Rad (pictured left) was convicted of the 1991 murder of Iran’s last prime minister before the 1979 Iranian revolution. Here’s what strikes some as suspicious about Vaili Rad’s release: Clotilde Reiss (pictured right), a French teacher whom Iran had held on charges of spying was allowed to fly home just two days ago. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Guardian coverage

John Burdett’s Bangkok

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The stand-off in the southeast Asian nation of Thailand continues today. Leaders of the so-called “red shirt” demonstrators said today they’re ready to accept mediation from a group of Thai senators. But the government says it won’t negotiate with the red shirts until they end their rally in the capital. Marco Werman talks to British novelist John Burdett about the story behind the headlines from Thailand. Burdett’s series of crime thrillers are set in Bangkok. Download MP3

• The World’s coverage on the Thailand protests
• John Patrick Burdett’s website
• John Burdett’s Amazon page

Protecting themselves in Juarez

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In one of the most dangerous city in the world, there is safety in numbers. Residents in the Mexican border city of Juarez are increasingly forming neighborhood associations and blocking off streets in an effort shield themselves from ongoing drug violence. This strategy doesn’t always work and it can create problems for emergency responders. But as reporter Monica Ortiz Uribe discovered the trend is uniting neighborhoods. (Photo: Lorne Matalon) Download MP3

• Monica Ortiz Uribe’s coverage on Mexico
• Lorne Matalon’s “Mexico Stories”

“Erasing David”

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British filmmaker David Bond spent one month on the lam last year to see how effective video surveillance and private investigators would be at catching up with him. We hear more on today’s show. (Photo: Erasing David film) Download MP3

• Watch the trailer of “Erasing David”
• “Erasing David” Facebook page

Moms of detained US hikers travel to Iran

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The mothers of three American hikers detained in Iran are heading to Tehran today to appeal for the release of their children. The mothers are asking for compassion from the Iranian government. The World’s Jason Margolis reports on the role of governments — both American and Iranian — in cases like this.

French find they need cooking lessons

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The French value fine cuisine, but it turns out they don’t cook that much anymore. And they’re buying a lot of their meals ready-made at supermarkets. So the city of Paris is offering cooking lessons. Genevieve Oger reports from Paris.

Search for missing Mexican politician

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Alfredo Corchado, who covers Mexico for the Dallas Morning News, about the disappearance of former Mexican presidential candidate Diego Fernandez de Cevallos. Fernandez was reported missing this past weekend. His abandoned vehicle was found near his ranch. The government has launched a nationwide search for Fernandez.

Cacao crops waning

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Cacao plantations have been a mainstay for farmers in the Mexican state of Chiapas. But farmers have started to abandon these crops for the more lucrative sugar cane and oil palm plants. Fearful of losing the traditional cacao, conservationists are trying creative ways to sustain those crops. Murray Carpenter reports.

Geo Quiz

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Our daily geography puzzler.

Chico Trujillo

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Our Global Hit today is a retro twist on a Latin style. We’ve presented various interpretations of Colombian cumbia in recent years. Now, along comes a cumbia band from Chile called Chico Trujillo.