11/02/2012
The Presidency, the Middle East, and the Arab Spring
The Middle East may have been gripped by the Arab Spring over the last two years. But the next phase of change in the region could be heavily influenced by whoever wins the White House Tuesday. The World’s Marco Werman is in London, and speaks with two Libyan writers about the role of the US presidency in their country’s revolution.
PRI’s The World: 11/02/2012 (Climate, Haiti, Canada)
Watching the US election campaign – through a Middle East prism. Also, where the candidates stand on climate change, now that Sandy has forced the issue back onto the election agenda. Plus new music from Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, inspired by a recent humantarian trip to Africa.
Does the US Election Matter to Mid-East Peace Process?
One foreign country that’s been mentioned a fair bit during the presidential campaign is Israel. Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have gone out of their way to profess their commitment to Israel’s security. What they haven’t talked about much is the moribund Middle East peace process.
Hurricane Sandy Gets New Yorkers on their Bikes
Transportation has been a huge challenge for New Yorkers this week. Storm flooding shut down parts of New York’s subway system. Roads have been blocked by fallen trees and motorists are scrambling to find gas. But many New Yorkers have been getting around on bikes. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Caroline Samponaro Director of Bicycle Advocacy at Transportation Alternatives in New York City.
Is Language Holding Back New York’s Bengali Voters?
We visit a Bangladeshi-owned barbershop in post-Sandy New York. Tuesday’s ballot was supposed to have been translated into Bengali– a requirement under the Voting Rights Act– but election officials missed the deadline. In the barbershop, though, voters are as divided between Obama and Romney as the country is.
With Climate Change Suddenly on the Agenda, a Look Back at the Candidates’ Positions
“Superstorm” Sandy has suddenly thrust climate change into the middle of the presidential election campaign. Neither major party candidate has wanted to say much about the issue up to now, but there are real differences in their policies on climate change.
The Energy Costs of Oil Production
How much does it cost to produce a barrel of oil? Ask an oilman and he’ll likely give you a dollar amount. Ask somebody who studies what’s called biophysical economics, which combines the disciplines of biology and economics, and you’ll get a more nuanced response.
In Haiti, Success Isn’t Enough to Keep Innovative Energy Program Alive
A model project, which put local youth to work cleaning up a Port-au-Prince slum and turning paper trash into cooking fuel, has been closed down for lack of funds. In a follow-up to a story she first reported two years ago, The World’s Amy Bracken explores the reasons for the demise of a program that everyone seemed to love.
India’s Real ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is Spending His Money Wisely
You may remember the 2008 Oscar Winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” set in India. Well last year, India had a real Slumdog Millionaire. 28-year-old Sushil Kumar won a million dollars on India’s version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. But he still lives in a small house with ten other family members and said he is spending his money wisely.
North Korea’s Ryugyong ‘Hotel of Doom’
Our Geo Quiz today takes us to North Korea’s capital where construction of the Ryugyong skyscraper hotel has been underway for 25 years. Rumor has it the spaceship-like, pyramid-shaped, and, according to some, “hideously ugly” hotel won’t be ready for a few more years. Hannah Barraclough leads tour groups to North Korea and recently had the chance to take a tour herself of the Ryugyong Hotel.
Nelly Furtado’s ‘The Spirit Indestructible’ Draws Inspiration from Africa, the Arab Spring and More
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado has a new album out called “The Spirit Indestructible.” Furtado tells anchor Lisa Mullins that the songs on the album were inspired by a trip to Africa, the Arab Spring and more.
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