Foreign-trained doctors kept out of practice in US

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As the baby boom generation in the US ages, demand for medical care will grow. One possible solution would be to allow more foreign-trained doctors to work in the US. Many are ready and willing to practice, but the US system for residency keeps them out of the running. Marina Giovannelli of WLRN-Miami has more. Download MP3

US resumes deportation of Haitians

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The United States is resuming its policy of deporting Haitians. This month will be the first time they’ve deported people since before the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Marina Giovannelli reports from Miami.
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Venezuela’s energy crisis

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Rolling blackouts have been a daily reality for 25 million Venezuelans since last winter. That’s when a prolonged drought began to cut the output of the hydroelectric dam that provides 70 percent of the country’s electricity. The World’s Marina Giovannelli reports. Download MP3

• Venezuela’s gas guzzlers
• Natural gas platform sinks off Venezuela

Huntington’s Disease and international research

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Ten years ago this month, President Bill Clinton announced a milestone in genetics. American scientists had created the first draft sequence of the human genome. They had learned the order of the three billion letters that make up our DNA code. But today, the medical revolution that many thought would follow has not arrived. In some ways, genetic discoveries have made things more complex for doctors and patients. In Venezuela, American scientists conducted a landmark genetic study nearly three decades ago. As the World’s Marina Giovannelli discovered, the subjects of the study are still waiting to benefit from that research. Download MP3 (Photo: Marina Giovannelli)

• Join Science Forum: Genetic Testing
• Hereditary Disease Foundation
• Mayo Clinic: Huntington’s Disease

Venezuela’s gas guzzlers

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In many parts of the world, fuel economy has become the gold-standard for cars. But not in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where old gas guzzlers are still prized for their sturdy frames and powerful engines. The World’s Marina Giovannelli brings us the story of one such car and its loving owner. Download MP3 (Photo: Marina Giovannelli)

• Photo of Mr. Lopez and his green Chevy Impala
• Venezuela’s sinking town

Venezuela’s sinking town

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Massive oil extraction is literally reshaping the earth. The World’s Marina Giovannelli has the story of a small town in Venezuela that’s literally sinking after a long history of oil extraction.

Census 2010

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The 2010 census seeks to count everyone. That’s not easy in immigrant communities where some are suspicious of government officials. The World’s Marina Giovannelli reports on efforts to overcome cultural gaps to get the most accurate census count.

Haiti quake opportunity to restore rural ecology?

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The January earthquake in Haiti was not as powerful as the one in Chile, but it was much deadlier. Haiti was more vulnerable than Chile, in part because of the environmental degradation in its rural areas. Now, development specialists say that a key to creating a resilient Haiti is to restore the country’s ecological infrastructure. The World’s Marina Giovannelli has our story. (photo: Melinda Miles) Download MP3

• Audio slideshow: Reforesting Haiti
• BBC coverage
• On The World: How to fix Haiti’s economy

Rebuilding Haiti

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Haiti’s infrastructure for things like clean water and sewage disposal was primitive before last week’s earthquake. Now, out of tragedy arises the opportunity to rebuild it up to modern standards. But will the country be able to take advantage of the opportunity? Marina Giovannelli has our story. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• You can help through these aid organizations

Bebel Gilberto

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New York born Brazilian artist Bebel Gilberto has released her sixth studio album All in One. A few tracks from the album were recoded and produced in Jamaica and the Island’s tropical feel floats though the album. The World’s Marina Giovannelli takes a listen. Download MP3(Photo: Henrique Gendre)

• Bebel Gilberto homepage
• Global Hit Archive

Climate activists get creative

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Activists are already staging creative demonstrations at the climate change summit in Copenhagen. The World’s Marina Giovannelli looks at how different protest groups are vying for a spot on the international stage, and whether or not their efforts will sway the outcome of the negotiations. Download MP3 Photo: ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images

• Website for Climate Justice Action
• Video performance by The Institute for the Art and Practice of Dissent at Home

Clean power by osmosis?

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We’re keeping the focus on climate and energy in our Geo Quiz today. We’re looking for a northern European country that’s home to the world’s latest experimental carbon-neutral power plant.