02/15/2013
PRI’s The World: 02/15/2013 (Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran)
A meteor exploded over central Russia, shattering windows and causing hundreds of injuries with sonic blasts. Also, why Chicago’s Crime Commission is calling a Mexican drug lord “public enemy no. 1.” Plus, we ride along on a new family activity in car-crazy China: the holiday road trip.
Meteorite Explodes Above Russia’s Ural Mountains
A meteor estimated to weigh about 10 tons entered the earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 33,000 miles per hour over Russia’s Ural Mountains and caused a shockwave that shattered windows and damaged walls in the town of Chelyabinsk.
Red Letter Day for Meteorite Curator
The meteor explosion in Russia comes on the same day as an asteroid passes unusually close to Earth. Anchor Carol Hills speaks with Denton Eble, curator of meteorites at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Eble calls the two events a cosmic coincidence.
Azerbaijan: Bounty Money Offered for Author Akram Aylisli’s Ear
The State Department this week called on the government of Azerbaijan to protect author Akram Aylisli. The respected elderly author became the subject of protests and threats of violence, because of his latest book.
Mali’s Future Not Bright Despite French Military Action
The al-Qaeda militants who took over northern Mali imposed their harsh brand of Sharia law, even though senior leaders urged them not to. The common wisdom is that the militants’ behavior alienated most Malians. But that’s not the whole story, as the CBC’s Laura Lynch reports.
Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman Replaces Al Capone as Chicago’s Public Enemy No. 1
How did Mexican drug lord, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman become Chicago’s Public Enemy Number One? Anchor, Carol Hills talks with AP’s legal reporter Michael Tarm in Chicago.
Now at Law School, Veterans Work to Bring Those Left Behind to US
A network of Americans, including a growing number of veterans, are now helping those who have worked with America’s military get US visas. It is urgent work, especially as US troops prepare to leave Afghanistan and their interpreters behind, many of whom will live in danger for the work they have done. The World’s Monica Campbell reports.
Buddhist Morality at Myanmar’s Monastic Schools
Myanmar is getting high marks for reform. political and otherwise. Among the government’s flurry of activities is a wide-ranging review of its education system. Schools run by Buddhist monks – monastic schools – are likely to play a large part in education reform, as Bruce Wallace reports.
Why Did Iran Ban Pistachio Exports?
What’s behind Iran’s latest decision to ban pistachio exports? Kamran Dadkhah, an economist at Northeastern University, says the temporary ban is a government effort to bring down the high price of pistachios in Iran’s deflationary economy.
Traveling Home for the Chinese New Year, By Car
It’s Chinese New Year, and millions and millions of Chinese are traveling home — and back — for the holiday. It’s a massive migration, and most people do it in planes, trains or buses. But this year, Rebecca Kanthor and her Chinese husband are doing what more and more people in China are doing. They’re driving home for the holiday.
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