Latest Editions
Retro-Style Jazz Music from Dutch Singer Caro Emerald
Retro-style jazz sounds from Dutch singer Caro Emerald. Her music recalls the days of big band and jazz divas of the 1940s and 50s.
PRI’s The World: 02/06/2013 (Mali, Israel, Mexico)
New fighting in Mali even as French troops contemplate an exit. Also, what Israelis expect from President Obama’s visit next month. Plus, why mariachi music is making inroads in schools in Texas.
French Troops Gird for More Battle in Northern Mali
Fighting is flaring around the northern Mali city of Gao, despite reports that rebels had ceded the territory to the incoming French troops. CBC reporter Laura Lynch just returned from Gao. She tells host Marco Werman that local residents want to French to stay put.
Mali’s Festival in the Desert Wins a Freedom of Musical Expression Award
Though canceled this year, the Festival in the Desert and its Malian Touareg leader Manny Ansar were honored Wednesday with the Freemuse Award for their work on “freedom of musical expression.”
John Brennan Expected to Face Scrutiny Over America’s Drone Strategy in Senate Hearing
John Brennan, President Obama’s pick to take over as director of the CIA, faces a confirmation hearing in the Senate on Thursday, and it’s all but certain he will be quizzed about drones.
Low Expectations in Israel for Obama Visit
Barack Obama is heading to the Middle East in March. The president’s first overseas trip of his second term will include stops in Israel, the West Bank and Jordan. The administration says Iran, Syria and the long-stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process are on the agenda.
New Israeli MasterChef a German-Born Convert to Judaism
The Israeli version of the reality show MasterChef just wrapped up. The grand finale was the highest rated TV program ever in Israel. It featured a run-off between an Orthodox Jew, an Israeli-Arab and a German convert to Judaism – three people who in regular life wouldn’t be near each other.
Husband from the US, Wife Entered Illegally, Now Barred from Returning Home
Changes are being made to a 1996 immigration law that aimed to crack down on illegal immigration and thwart bogus marriages. In reality, it also ended up penalizing legitimate couples, forcing them to live apart. And even with a relaxation in the policy, set to take effect in March, many families will remain split. Reporter Amy Isackson, in collaboration with the California Report and Center for Public Integrity reporter Susan Ferriss, brings us one family’s story.
High-Tech Manufacturing Driving Economy in Mexico
Mexico was once known for cheap manufacturing. But as that sort of business has fled to Asia, Mexico has concentrated on auto manufacturing and other higher-tech industries.
Irish Government Admits Role in Magdalene Laundries
The Irish government has acknowledged that it played a major role in running the infamous Magdalene Laundries. Thousands of women and girls were locked up against their will, and forced to perform unpaid labor in workhouses managed by Catholic nuns. The popular notion was that many were prostitutes or unwed mothers. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Mary Fenton. She was just 16 when she was sent to the Magdalene Laundries.
US Post Office’s Southernmost Branch at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
For our Geo Quiz, try to come up with the zip code for the southernmost post office in the world at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
Mariachi Music Gaining Credibility in Texas Schools
Mariachi music is a quintessential sound of Mexico. But in Mexico, it’s a style of folk music that’s never been taken all that seriously and certainly not among music educators. It’s considered bar music, unworthy of academic study. But it’s becoming different story just north of the border in Texas.
PRI’s The World: 02/05/2013 (Mexico, Mali, Jamaica)
A Justice department memo makes the legal case for killing American cities who are senior al-Qaeda leaders. Also, we speak with the actor who played Osama Bin Laden in the film “Zero Dark Thirty.” Plus, we meet Mexico’s premier bat biologist and hear why he thinks bats need more protection in his country.
Justice Department Memo Makes Legal Case for Killing Americans Abroad
A leaked Justice Department memo is the talk of the town in Washington, and around the globe, Tuesday. The memo, obtained and published by NBC News, sets out the Obama Administration’s legal case for the targeted killing of American terrorism suspects abroad.
Israeli Legal Expert: Lack of Judicial Oversight in Targeted Killings a ‘Recipe for Disaster’
Amos Guiora gave legal advice on targeted killings to the Israeli Defense Force in Gaza in the 1990s. He’s troubled by the vague language in the leaked Justice Department memo, and tells anchor Marco Werman why he thinks the lack of judicial oversight in targeted killings is a ‘recipe for disaster.’
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