2011 January | PRI's The World

Archive for January, 2011

Entire program – January 31, 2011

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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How the news from Egypt is filling TV screens throughout the Middle East; Also, Uganda’s gay and lesbian community reacts to the murder of a prominent gay activist; Plus, a group of young writers in Haiti works to find a new way forward for their devastated country. Download MP3

Egypt protesters step up pressure

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Tens of thousands are protesting in central Cairo for a seventh day, defying the start of a new curfew and calling for a general strike. President Hosni Mubarak has now announced a new cabinet that removes Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, who is widely despised by protesters. They want the president to step down after 30 years in power and are planning a huge march for Tuesday. More from The World’s Matthew Bell in Cairo. (Photo: Matthew Bell) Download MP3
Live video stream from the BBC

How Egypt’s neighbors view the protests

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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People throughout the Middle East are glued to their TV screens, watching the events in Egypt unfold live. Ben Gilbert reports from Lebanon, where televisions in bars and shops are constantly broadcasting the news from Egypt. Download MP3
Al Jazeera coverage

Young Haitian writers look to the future

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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The World’s Jeb Sharp visits a youth writing group in Port-au-Prince formed in the wake of last year’s earthquake. They call themselves the Konbit des Jeunes Penseurs or The Gathering of Young Thinkers. They meet weekly, salon-style, to read Haitian literature and share their own writings and talk about a new way forward for Haiti. Download MP3
Website for the Gathering of Young Thinkers
Read and listen to Assephie Petit-Frere’s poem here

Istanbul’s world heritage sites in neglect

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Julia Rooke reports on the sorry state of many of Istanbul’s historic treasures. The city linking Europe and Asia features architectural gems dating from Roman times to the Ottoman empire. But many are in such bad shape that Istanbul may lose its status as a UN World Heritage Site. Download MP3

Turkey’s World Heritage sites
Istanbul’s Unesco World Heritage status under threat

Ugandans react to Kato murder

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Last week, prominent gay activist David Kato was killed in his home in Uganda. Police say it was a robbery, but many in the gay and lesbian community are frightened. Gays and lesbians were already persecuted in Uganda. But after the killing, a few are saying they won’t hide anymore. Dennis Porter reports from Kampala. Download MP3

Egyptians make their voices heard online

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Last Friday, the Egyptian government shut down most access to the Internet. In this week’s tech podcast, you’ll hear how Egyptians, with some help from folks outside the country, are still making their voices heard. Download MP3 (25:17)

How the Arab media is covering the protests

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The World’s Marco Werman surveys Arab TV coverage of the protests in Egypt. Download MP3

Reactions from the streets of Cairo

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Marco Werman talks to Ahmed El Gaddar, one of the protestors who has been on the streets of Cairo in Egypt, and to Egyptian writer Ahdaf Soueif, who was also there. Download MP3

Israel looks on with anxiety

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Egypt’s neighbor, Israel, has been watching the protests in Cairo with increasing anxiety. Daniel Estrin has that story from Jerusalem. Download MP3

Washington’s view of the Cairo crisis

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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The crisis in Egypt has left Washington struggling to come up with an effective policy. So far the administration has stopped short of calling on President Mubarak to step down, but it’s hardly a ringing endorsement. Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to six secretaries of state, argues that Washington should not try to get ahead of the curve. He speaks with anchor, Marco Werman. Download MP3

South American baseball nation

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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It’s a little early to talk baseball – at least in the US – but not in the country we want you to name for the Geo Quiz. We’re looking for a South American nation that is a top source of talent for Major League Baseball. Download MP3

Music Heard on Air for January 31, 2011

By Ann Lopez ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Tunes spun on The World between our reports for January 31, 2011. Artists featured are The Cure, Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder, Jamal Porto, Toumani Diabate, Euphoria.

Views from Egypt: life on hold

By The World ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

How is the ongoing unrest in Egypt affecting the day-to-day lives of Egyptians and how do they see the future of their country? BBC Arabic speaks to a number of Egyptians to find out.

World Books Debate: The Best Translated Book Awards

By World Books ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

Here’s the 25 book long list of the fiction finalists for the 2011 Best Translated Book Awards for listeners and readers to comment on, augment, and generally kick around. The point of the BTBA is not simply to recognized high merit (in fiction and poetry), but to expand the consciousness of the reading public. This is one of the few prizes in the country that honors original works in translation; at the very least, it should stimulate conversation about the importance (and neglect) of literature in translation.
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