2011 January | PRI's The World - Part 9

Archive for January, 2011

“The Great Game” goes to Pentagon

By Laura Lynch ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

The World’s Laura Lynch profiles “The Great Game: Afghanistan.” It is a seven hour long play about the history of conflict in Afghanistan. The play is scheduled to head to Washington D.C., where it will be performed for high level Pentagon officials.

Self-immolation as protest

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ 10 comments ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on the history of politically-motivated self-immolation, a protest technique that has recently emerged in Tunisia and Algeria. Download MP3

We’re interested in what you think about these extreme acts of protest. Is is morally justifiable to commit an act of self-immolation? Share us your thoughts here.

US-China energy talks

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A little more than a year ago, the US and China agreed to work on an array of joint research projects for clean energy. Today, that good will and mutual cooperation seems to have fizzled. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Derek Scissors, China specialist at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, about US-China energy cooperation.Download MP3

Slideshow: China’s solar solution
BBC slideshow: Chinese state visits to US

Sheep theft rises with British meat prices

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

As the price of meat rises, incidents of sheep rustling are increasing in Britain. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Carl Hudspith, a spokesman for the northwest region of Britain’s National Farmers Union, about what’s behind the rural crime wave. Download MP3

Political wrangling continues in Tunisia

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Anchor Marco Werman gets an update on the latest protests and political wrangling in Tunisia from the BBC’s Lyse Doucet in Tunis. Download MP3

New government leaders quit ruling party

Tunisian free speech activist becomes minister

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tunisian free speech activist, blogger and tech entrepreneur, Slim Amamou has been named the country’s new Minister for Sport and Youth. Amamou was arrested a few days ago and was released not long after President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country. Download MP3

Tunisian dissident blogger takes job as minister

Antarctic lake

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

For today’s Geo Quiz, we’re looking for a very big and very cold lake.

This lake is roughly the size of New Jersey and it lies 2 miles below the ice sheet that covers east Antarctica. And scientists are trying to reach it by drilling down through ice. Download MP3

“French Elvis” makes a comeback

By The World ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Johnny Hallyday, dubbed the “French Elvis,” is making a comeback after a near-death experience. The 67-year-old rocker has released a new single and fans are scooping it up. The World’s Gerry Hadden has more. Download MP3

Video: Johnny Hallyday’s Jamais Seul

Music Heard on Air for January 18, 2011

By Ann Lopez ⋅ January 18, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

Tunes spun on The World between our reports for January 18, 2011. Artists featured are Bela Fleck, Ali Akbar Kahn, Habib Koite & Bamada, Shankar, Moriba Koita, Paul Hamner.

Entire program – January 17, 2011

By The World ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The political trouble continues in Tunisia after Friday’s overthrow of its president, the street level protests are inspiring some people in the Arab world to take action against their own governments; also, a Swiss banker who says he’s got details on 2-thousand tax evaders is threatening to send them to Wikileaks; and, how Sudan’s vote to split the country might affect the MUSICAL unity of that nation. Download MP3

Tunisia forms national unity government

By The World ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Tunisia has formed a national unity government, reports say, days after a popular revolt ousted the country’s president. The government will be led by incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, and aims to prepare Tunisia for elections. The announcement came hours after new street violence flared in Tunis. Anchor Marco Werman gets details from Los Angeles Times reporter Borzou Daragahi who is in Tunis. Download MP3
Borzou’s tweets from Tunisia

Initial Sudan results show support for secession

By The World ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Sudan may soon be split into two separate nations now that a vote for southern independence is over. Preliminary results from last week’s referendum showed huge support for secession by south Sudanese voters. Matthew Brunwasser has more. Download MP3

Slideshow: South Sudan referendum

Sudanese musicians bridge national divide

By The World ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

A secession of South Sudan seems almost certain and the two parts of the country are distinct: Most northerners are Arabic-speaking Muslims, while the south is made up of numerous different ethnic groups who are mostly Christian or follow traditional religions. The BBC’s Fergus Nicoll asked Sudanese musicians whether their art could help bridge national divide. Download MP3
BBC video: Musicians bridge national divide

Microinsurance grows in Colombia

By The World ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Some insurance companies are offering microinsurance for the poor, especially for health matters, meant to protect the poor against financial disasters caused by illness, death or crop failure. One of the places where microinsurance is taking off is Colombia. Reporter John Otis has the story from Barranquilla, Colombia. Download MP3

Political language before and after Tucson

By Patrick Cox ⋅ January 17, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

In this week’s World in Words podcast: after the Tucson shootings, we hear from Dutch and German journalists about political discourse and violence in their countries. Also, Obama’s oratory in Tucson gets high marks from commentators on both left and right. Plus, an exploration of the term “blood libel.” If Sarah Palin had known exactly what it meant, would she still have used it?