2011 February | PRI's The World - Part 8

Archive for February, 2011

The World(02/17/2011: Daniel Estrin, Ursula Lindsey, Rastamouse)

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

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In Bahrain, a pre-dawn crackdown on protestors leaves the country in shock; Then in Germany, trouble for the defense minister as accusations of plagiarism taint a promising political career; also, how Egypt’s revolution may be paving the way for a political future for the Muslim Brotherhood. Download MP3

Pharaohs, Cantonese and the Gang of Four

By Patrick Cox ⋅ February 17, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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In this week’s World in Words podcast: why did British band Gang of Four name themselves after China’s notorious cultural revolutionaries? Also, was Hosni Mubarak Egypt’s last pharaoh? Or is that just a cute turn of phrase? And is Cantonese, once the lingua franca of Chinatowns around the world., imperiled by the steady march of Mandarin?

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Muslim world protests, February 12-18, 2011

By Carol Hills ⋅ February 17, 2011 ⋅ 3 comments ⋅ Transcript

In the wake of Egypt’s successful political revolution, pro-democracy protests continue across the Middle East and North Africa. From Bahrain to Libya, citizens are taking to the the streets and using social media to communicate and coordinate.
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Libya’s Gaddafi faces ‘Day of Anger’

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Hundreds of anti-government protesters have clashed with police and supporters of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya’s second city, in the latest display of unrest in the Arab world. Dozens of people are said to have been hurt in the clashes in Benghazi. The unrest comes a day before planned anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, dubbed ‘Day of Anger,’ which are being organized via internet social networks. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC’s Rana Jawad in Libya. Download MP3
Read tweets about Libya

Tough job for Egypt’s finance minister

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The World’s Ben Gilbert reports from Egypt on the country’s finance minister Samir Radwan. He was appointed by Hosni Mubarak in the midst of the protests that eventually swept the president out. Now, Mubarak is gone, and Radwan remains. But he’s trying to make a difference for Egypt in these trying times and relishing the revolution the country’s youths have brought. Download MP3
Egypt coverage on The World

The library at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Airline passengers are not used to getting something for free. But Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport has its own library. Travelers can now kick back with one of its 1,200 books – for nothing – while they wait for their next flight. The World’s Clark Boyd reports. Download MP3
Video: Librarian Dick Van Tol gives his book recommendations

Diplomatic gaffe at the UN

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Last week India’s foreign minister made his UN debut with a speech in front of the Security Council. The only problem is, he read the speech of the Portuguese foreign minister. Anchor Lisa Mullins talks to Colum Lynch, who covers the UN for the Washington Post and Foreign Affairs. Download MP3
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna’s wrong speech in United Nations

Indian singer Sona Mohapatra

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Indian singer-songwriter Sona wanted her label, Sony, to record more of her songs. Sony said wait. Sona went to Nokia instead. The World’s Marco Werman tells us about Sona’s attempts to market her music differently in a country dominated by Bollywood. Download MP3
Video: Mohapatra’s jingle for Close-Up

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Jordan looks to Egypt

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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The World’s Matthew Bell looks at what the events in Egypt mean for government-reform forces in Jordan. The Islamists there view this as the greatest gift to their movement in decades. Download MP3

Bahrain protests grow

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Thousands of anti-government demonstrators continue to occupy the main square in Bahrain’s capital. Maryam Al Khawaja of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights speaks with anchor Lisa Mullians about the protestors demands for regime change. Download MP3

Demonstrators occupy Pearl Square

Palestinian parliament resigns

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Daniel Estrin reports on the resignation of the Palestinian parliament. Members of the ruling Fatah party hope the move will give them more credibility ahead of scheduled legislative and presidential elections in September. Download MP3

Afghan government to take over women shelters

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Since the fall of the Taliban, non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan have operated 11 women’s shelters, mostly in Kabul. Now the Afghan government says it’s taking over their management in order to rein in costs. But some see the move as a nod to conservative Afghans who oppose the very existence of the shelters. The BBC’s Quentin Somerville in Kabul takes us on a visit to a local women’s shelter and speaks with anchor Lisa Mullins about the Afghan government’s intervention. Download MP3

Afghan women’s lives ‘in danger’

Central Asian desert

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The Geo Quiz visits a Central Asian country that features a rocky, flat desert and considers the Akhal Teke horse a national emblem. Do you know the name the desert that covers much of Turkmenistan? Download MP3

The World (02/16/2011 : Muammar al-Gaddafi, SM Krishna, Sona Mohapatra)

By The World ⋅ February 16, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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More unrest in the Arab world – this time it’s in Libya; Also, why the Afghan government is taking control of womens’ shelters – and what that could mean for women looking for protection from domestic violence; Plus, reading provides a respite from travel stress at Amsterdam’s airport. Download MP3

Iran’s beleaguered opposition

By The World ⋅ February 15, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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What began in Tunisia and spread to Egypt may now be energizing the beleaguered opposition in Iran. Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied yesterday in central Tehran. It was the first major show of strength from Iran’s opposition in more than a year but hardline members of Iran’s parliament are determined to avoid a repeat of what happened in Egypt. Karim Sadjadpour follows Iran at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He tells anchor Lisa Mullins the regime’s resolve to crush the opposition is a short-term strategy. Download MP3