2011 January | PRI's The World - Part 6

Archive for January, 2011

Talking Travel: Aussie floods and your travel plans

By Carol Hills ⋅ January 24, 2011 ⋅ 4 comments ⋅ Transcript

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A president toppled and protests in the streets, mudslides rolling down mountains and killing villagers, and flood waters cresting through through the streets of a major city. Not exactly what Tunisia, Brazil and Australia (respectively) want during the height of their tourist season. American Airlines says ‘get lost’ to Orbitz and Expedia, and in the northern hemisphere, it’s still winter. How do you avoid getting stuck at the airport?

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Beautiful code, ugly fonts, and the architecture of diplomacy

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 24, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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In this week’s World in Words podcast, new research suggests that hard-to-read typographical fonts may help us remember the ideas they spell out. Also, an exhibit in Silicon Valley traces the origins of the language of computer programming. And the architectural grammar of the U.N. Security Council: the design layout of the council’s chamber and adjourning rooms is considered so important that replicas have been constructed during refurbishment.

Entire program – January 21, 2011

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Tunisia mourns those lost in the uprising, even as the protests continue; Also, the chances of seeing a political uprising in Sudan; Plus, we discuss the power, and limits, of social media to promote political change around the globe. Download MP3

Will there be a Tunisia effect in Sudan?

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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When the political tensions in Tunisia exploded onto the streets, the government toppled. Sudan seems calm but could be ripe for a similar popular uprising. Like Tunisia, Sudan has a large young population and high unemployment. But the government there is also more brutal. Matthew Brunwasser reports from Khartoum. (Photo: Sean Carberry) Download MP3

Clay Shirky and the political power of social media

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

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As Tunisia has shown recently, the use of social media provides a lot of benefits to those challenging the status quo. However, there are limits to what social media can accomplish in the political sphere. Anchor Marco Werman talks with Clay Shirky, the author of ‘The Political Power of Social Media: Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change’. It’s an essay that appears in the current issue of Foreign Affairs magazine. Download MP3
Video: Watch Shirky’s TED Talk

Blair ignored “provisional” advice on Iraq war

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Former British prime minister Blair has told the official British inquiry into the Iraq war that he disregarded a warning that attacking Iraq could be illegal without United Nations backing because it was “provisional”. Blair has been recalled to the inquiry to explain apparent contradictions between his public position in the run-up to the 2003 invasion, and legal advice from his Attorney-General. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3
BBC video: Blair testifies

Wild boar population soars in Europe

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Boar populations are skyrocketing nearly everywhere in Europe. The problem is especially bad in France, where the government estimates there are now more than a million of the beasts, and some are roaming towns and cities. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from the Alsace region of Eastern France.
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Video: Hunting for wild boar

Ivorian reggae singer Tiken Jah Fakoly

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Marco Werman takes us musically to the political standoff in Ivory Coast for today’s Global Hit. It is a song recorded last year by Ivorian reggae singer Tiken Jah Fakoly that translates as “Get out of office.” Download MP3

Video: Quitte le pouvoir
Video: Je ne veux pas ton pouvoir

Bombings in Iraq

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with the BBC’s Jim Muir in Baghdad about a spate of bombings targeting Shia Muslim pilgrims in Iraq this week. Download MP3

Analysis: Bombings highlight Iraq’s instability
Iraq’s security forces targeted in two attacks

Remembering the first Iraq war

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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This week marked the 20th anniversary of the start of the first Gulf War. Former President George H.W. Bush and top officials from his administration gathered at Texas A & M University yesterday to mark the occasion. We have some highlights. Download MP3

Daring raid on Somali pirates

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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South Korean special forces launched a dawn raid today in the Arabian Sea on a freighter captured by pirates. In a matter of hours, they had rescued 21 hostages, killed 8 pirates ad captured five more. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more about the daring rescue from James Holmes, a professor of strategy at the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Download MP3

Eight Somali pirates killed as South Korea rescues freighter crew

Being gay in South Korea

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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It’s very difficult to be gay in South Korea. Michael Rhee reports from Seoul on a group of young people who are banding together to they don’t have to go it alone. Download MP3

Tunisia’s political progress

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Tunisia begins three days of mourning today to remember those killed in the recent uprising that led to the fall of President Ben Ali. A new, interim government is in place and held its first cabinet meeting. Earlier this week, members of the transitional government said political prisoners have been freed. Borzou Daragahi of the Los Angeles Times is in Tunis and speaks to anchor Marco Werman. Download MP3

Connecting Venezuela and Cuba

By The World ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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An undersea fiberoptic cable runs through today’s Geo Quiz. This weekend, an operation begins in Venezuela to lay down a fiberoptic cable all the way to Cuba. That means Cuba is about to get plugged in to high-speed Internet for the first time. We want to know where in Venezuela will the undersea cable start its journey and where will it come ashore in Cuba? Download MP3

Music Heard on Air for January 21, 2011

By Ann Lopez ⋅ January 21, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Tunes spun on The World between our reports for January 21, 2011. Artists featured are Nostalgia 77, U-cef , Amina Annabi, Silina Musango, AfroCubism, Silina Musango, Etran Finatawa, Chicha Libre.