01/08/2013
PRI’s The World: 01/08/2013 (Australia, Haiti, Ghana)
In Israel, a far right wing politician is a big hit with the settlement crowd and increasingly with younger Israelis. Also, Mexican teachers study English to communicate with students who had to leave the US. And the prospects for car sharing in China.
Chinese Mayor Apologizes for Delayed Reporting of Chemical Spill
The mayor of a Chinese city is apologizing for waiting five days to report a chemical leak at a local factory. By then nearly nine tons of a toxic chemical had spilled into a local river and contaminated the water supply of a neighboring city.
Could Car Sharing Work in a Place Like China?
As millions of more Chinese enter the middle class, many are demanding a key passport to that lifestyle: a car. Millions throughout the developing world have the same demand. The world can’t sustain this. One possible solution: car sharing.
In Kenya, Violent Elephant Poaching Increases at an Alarming Rate
The New York Times’ Jeffrey Gettleman talks about the latest massacre of 11 elephants — killed by poachers for their ivory tusks in Kenya. He said that as a pound of ivory can fetch upwards of $1,000 in Beijing, there is little chance this violent and illegal trade will slow down anytime soon in Central Africa.
Burmese Migrant Workers on Edge in Thailand
Migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos make up about 10 percent of Thailand’s workforce. But now that Thailand has increased its minimum wage, it’s also making it harder for immigrant workers to stay.
Improved Economy, Cultural Ties are Bringing Entrepreneurs Back to Africa
As the economy improves in some countries in Africa, many Africans who live abroad are aching to return home.
Israeli Political Candidate Naftali Bennett Pushes Debate to the Right
With Israeli elections just two weeks away, polls suggest that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party are in good shape to win. But there’s a new political personality who’s keeping the campaign interesting.
Mexican Teachers Adapt to Their American-Raised Students
Many Mexican migrants are leaving the US and returning to Mexico. Their children often speak better English than Spanish. So back in Mexican schools, many struggle. In order to help these kids, some teachers in Mexico are now learning English.
Wildfires Scorch Australia
Australia’s southeastern region is suffering from soaring high temperatures and hundreds of scattered bushfires that are burning thousands of acres of forests and farmland.
Farewell, Fred Voodoo: A Letter from Haiti
Amy Wilentz has a new book about Haiti called Farewell, Fred Voodoo. She tells anchor Marco Werman about the themes of the book, including the disappearance of everyday objects that used to be made in Haiti.
David Bowie Breaks Decade-Long Musical Silence
After a 10-year musical silence David Bowie is back. Early this morning he released a new single and video online. A new album is on its way in February. The news comes on the British singer’s 66th birthday.
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