2011 April | PRI's The World - Part 7

Archive for April, 2011

Local transport minister in Britain won’t play it safe

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ 18 comments ⋅ Transcript

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A hard-headed government minister in Britain is stirring up trouble. He is the junior Transport Minister responsible for cycling safety. But Norman Baker refuses to wear a helmet. The World’s Laura Lynch invited Mr. Baker for a ride. She, however, does wear a helmet. Download MP3

Video: British safety minister takes a ride

Kesang Marstrand’s version of Tunisian anthem

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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Kesang Marstrand is an American folk singer living in Tunisia. Lisa talks to Kesang about how and why Kesang’s version of the Tunisian national anthem became a hit in that country. Download MP3

Video: Kesang Marstrand sings the National Anthem of Tunisia

Social media in Syria

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with the BBC’s Feras Kilani, who has been monitoring the social media out of Syria, about what Syrians are posting about growing anti-government protests there. Download MP3

Ugandan women abused in scheme

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Countries like Uganda have been sending thousands to work on US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. But as well as creating opportunity, this has opened up a channel for exploitation. Anna Cavell reports from Uganda on the women who, far from working on American bases, ended up abused by Iraqi households. Download MP3

Shirin Ebadi’s “Golden Cage”

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ 5 comments ⋅ Transcript

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Iranian human rights lawyer and Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi about her new memoir, The Golden Cage.
Download MP3

Cold-water diving

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments ⋅ Transcript

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We’re looking for the name of a large island in the Pacific northwest. The Queen Charlotte Strait separates this 300-mile long island from mainland British Columbia. At the northern end of the island is God’s Pocket Marine Provincial Park. Scuba divers flock there as the cold-water diving season gets underway. Download MP3

PRI’s The World(04/20/2011: Clark Boyd, Kesang Marstrand)

By The World ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The month-long protests in Syria escalate despite efforts by the government to defuse them. Then outcry in Malaysia over a camp that is designed to keep teenage boys from becoming gay. And a Danish company that is got high hopes for turning straw into fuel. Download MP3

Music Heard on Air for April 20, 2011

By Ann Lopez ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Tunes spun on The World between our reports for April 20, 2011. Artists featured are: Soul Brothers, Orquestra Do Fuba, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Harouna Samake, AfroCubism, Kaya Project, Silvia Perez Cruz, Ravid Goldschmidt.

World Books Review: An Authoritative Gathering of Modern Chinese Drama

By World Books ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

Minor translation issues aside, “The Columbia Anthology of Modern Chinese Drama”‘s excellent selection, colloquial and stage-friendly translations, and illuminating introduction undoubtedly make the volume the authoritative choice in teaching and reading modern Chinese drama for the foreseeable future.

English-only in the US, translating tweets in Japan and satire in Egypt

By Patrick Cox ⋅ April 20, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

The English Only movement in the United States is always active during times of high immigration. Now, the movement has got a shot in the arm from the Tea Party. It may help convince lawmakers and voters in the 19 remaining states that don’t yet have a law on their books declaring English to be the official language [...]

Britain to send military advisors to Libya

By The World ⋅ April 19, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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British military officers will be sent to Libya to advise rebels fighting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces, the UK government has said. Foreign Secretary William Hague said the group would be deployed to the opposition stronghold of Benghazi. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3
Libya crisis

Media campaign of Libya’s rebels

By The World ⋅ April 19, 2011 ⋅ One comment ⋅ Transcript

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As The World’s Ben Gilbert reports from Benghazi, Libyan rebels are struggling on the battlefield, but they’re also working furiously on their media campaign. Download MP3

Follow Ben Gilbert on Twitter

Making Peru’s national anthem more upbeat

By The World ⋅ April 19, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Peru has a violent, depressing national anthem. At least that is true of the first verse. So one Peruvian has started a campaign to replace the lyrics with something more upbeat. John Otis has more. Download MP3

Bhutan’s tough tobacco laws

By The World ⋅ April 19, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is tough on tobacco. There is a ban on smoking in public places and it is illegal to import or grow tobacco. Anyone caught smuggling it in could face a three-year term. As The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports, many Bhutanese are wondering if the government is going too far. Download MP3

Glimpses of Bhutan

Sierra Leone’s Independent Radio Network

By The World ⋅ April 19, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅ Transcript

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Lisa Mullins talks with Ambrose James, Sierra Leone Country Director for Search for Common Ground, about the Independent Radio Network in Sierra Leone.
Slideshow: independent radio in Sierra Leone