02/20/2013
PRI’s The World: 02/20/2013 (Morocco, Norway, Italy)
Another day of drama at the bail hearing for Oscar Pistorius in South Africa. Also, the race to buy and sell Russian meteorite fragments. Plus, a young rapper becomes the voice of women in Morocco.
Second Day of Court Drama in Pistorius Case
The bail hearing against Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius will go into a third day after another hearing filled with drama. A witness heard gunshots, screaming, and then more shots fired at Pistorius’ home on the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed, a police officer has said.
Pistorius Murder Case: The OJ Simpson Trial of South Africa?
Some news agencies are already saying the Pistorius trial could be South Africa’s very own OJ Simpson-style trial. Host Aaron Schachter speaks with journalist Des Latham, news editor of SummitTV in Johannesburg to find out if the Pistorius case dredges up issues of culture, class and race in South Africa.
Ethiopia’s Economy Benefits from Returning Diaspora
As Ethiopia’s economy grows, Ethiopians who had moved abroad are now returning home. Some have come back out of a sense of patriotism, while others have returned to make money.
The Race for Space Rocks: Meteorite Hunter Travels the Globe
After the dust settled last week in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, the race began to collect pieces of the meteorite that fell in the nearby Lake Chebarkul. Rock collectors from around the globe have contacted one man in search of their own little bit of space.
Space Mining with Robots
Scientists and business leaders have harbored fantasies of mining asteroids for decades. Near-Earth approaching asteroids could be a valuable source of minerals, energy, and water. Now scientists in Australia are discussing advances in space robotics that might make those dreams come true.
Former Communist Pier Luigi Bersani Leads Polls in Italy’s Election
Italy elects a new prime minister this weekend. And the economy is very much on the minds of Italian voters, after a year of massive budget cuts and tax hikes. The current front runner is Pier Luigi Bersani, leader of the left-leaning Democratic Party, and a former communist.
Italian Adaptation of ‘The Full Monty’ Features Real-Life Unemployed Workers as Cast Members
As Italian politicians campaign for national elections this weekend, the sad state of the economy and politics in Italy are the subject of a new stage adaptation of “The Full Monty.” It features two real-life unemployed workers as cast members.
Art in the Buff in Vienna
For Wednesday’s Geo-Quiz, we take you to Vienna, in search of a famous museum. Recently, this museum featured a special exhibit featuring nude men. And, it turns out, quite a few people wanted to see the exhibit…in the nude.
Resilient Damascus: An Expat’s View of Life in Syria at War
A mortar bomb struck a soccer match taking place in Damascus Thursday, killing a player. The incident highlights a stark truth about the two-year old civil war in Syria.
Norway’s Reality TV: A Fire Burning for Hours
Nearly a million Norwegians tuned in to a TV show devoted to a fire. The live program featured people stacking wood, sitting around a fire and then the fire burning for hours. The man behind this slow burning hit is Rune Moeklebust.
Soultana: ‘The Voice of Women’ Raps in Morocco
Wednesday, marks the two-year anniversary of Morocco’s version of the so-called Arab Spring. It didn’t unseat a dictator, but Morocco’s King did offer a few reforms. Little has changed, though, for most of Morocco’s youth and now they’re voicing their protests in rap.
Additional funding for PRI's The World is provided by:
