Another Oil Pipeline Runs into Political Debate in Canada

There is a political battle in Canada over a proposed pipeline that would go west from Alberta through a remote wilderness area to an isolated stretch of coast in British Columbia.

Obama Decides to Hold Off Deciding on Massive Pipeline

President Obama decides to hold off deciding on a massive pipeline that would carry oil from Canadian tar sands in Alberta through six states before reaching Texas’ Gulf coast. Canadian cartoonist Gary Clement thinks he knows why.

Abuse in ICE Detention Facilities

Few people associated the candidacy of Barack Obama with a “get tough” approach to illegal immigration. But the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, has stepped up deportations under President Obama and at the same time, a network of detention facilities has expanded to house illegal immigrants. Correspondent Maria Hinojosa from our partner program PBS-FRONTLINE, along with the Investigative Reporting Workshop spent the last year exploring the hidden world of immigration detention.

Japan’s Zukuna Sisters impress SXSW crowd

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The World’s Marco Werman tells anchor Lisa Mullins about the Japanese girl group Zukuna Sisters who played a poignantly uplifting version of “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong at the South by Southwest music festival. Download MP3

Video: Japan nite at SXSW

Japan tragedy looms at South by Southwest fest

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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with The World’s Marco Werman at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Marco met with a couple of attendees from Japan, and spoke to them about the tragedy and nuclear crisis unfolding in their country right now. Download MP3

Video: Beautiful by Oh Sunshine

Super Bowl ad considered offensive

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Sunday night’s Super bowl broadcast featured the usual array of “over-the-top” TV commercials. But one of those ads may have crossed the line, offending many people throughout the globe. The World’s Jason Margolis explains. Download MP3

Video: Groupon 2011 Super Bowl Commercial Ad

Mexican journalists seek asylum

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Four Mexican journalists seeking political asylum in the United States pleaded their case at a news conference in El Paso, Texas Tuesday. At least 22 Mexican journalists have been murdered since 2006. Drug cartel gunmen are suspected of the killings. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Carlos Spector, the attorney who represents the four journalists.

Pakistani radio in Texas

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Texas is home to one of the fastest growing Pakistani communities in the United States. In the Dallas area alone, there are at least three places on the radio dial where you can get news and music in Urdu. And on two popular South Asian talk shows, the Pakistani-American hosts address the problem of Muslim extremism. Shomial Ahmad listened in. Download MP3

• Radio Hot Pepper

SXSW – All Music Is World Music

The presence of international artists at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas has steadily grown in recent years. A few years ago, The World’s Marco Werman began wondering what made those musicians from around the world who come to SXSW different from musicians who fall into the “world music” category. Listen to all of the previous SXSW’s podcasts:

Bilingual puns sell meals

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Juan in a Million, Thai Me Up, and Pho Shizzle: reporter Nina Porzucki visits Austin, Texas, where playing with your food has taken on a whole new meaning. Download MP3 (Photo: Nina Porzucki)

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• The World in Words podcast

The big state

For our Geo Quiz today, we’re looking for the Big State. The Big State in this case is not the biggest US state, Alaska. Nor is it Texas — the biggest state in the lower 48.

Fearful Mexicans flee deadly city

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Juárez is Mexico’s deadliest city with 2,000 murders so far this year. Some residents are breaking the law to save their lives. They’re fleeing north to Texas on tourist visas and they intend to stay. Correspondent Monica Ortiz Uribe has the story.