http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus“Worldfocus” – the nightly newscast syndicated to television stations nationwide – delivers in-depth international news that American audiences would be hard-pressed to find on commercial broadcast networks. The 30 minute program moves beyond crisis reporting to explore the connections between issues unfolding abroad and developments in the U.S. Hosted by veteran news correspondent Martin Savidge and produced by Creative News Group for PBS flagship station Thirteen/WNET, “Worldfocus” was launched in October 2008. The newscast’s companion BlogTalkRadio series, “Worldfocus Radio,” launched January 13, 2008. Also hosted by Savidge, the live, weekly half-hour series goes even further in-depth into stories covered on “Worldfocus,” while opening up the conversation, via phone calls and text chats, to people throughout the globe. enCopyright World Focus (C/O Blogtalkradio)Tue, 25 Jun 2019 08:00:00 GMTThu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMTNewsBlogTalkRadio Feed v2.0https://dasg7xwmldix6.cloudfront.net/hostpics/65a89a97-09ec-4a86-a193-2aa03cc9f50bwf2.jpghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus“Worldfocus” – the nightly newscast syndicated to television stations nationwide – delivers in-depth international news that American audiences would be hard-pressed to find on commercial broadcast networks. The 30 minute program moves beyond crisis reporting to explore the connections between issues unfolding abroad and developments in the U.S. Hosted by veteran news correspondent Martin Savidge and produced by Creative News Group for PBS flagship station Thirteen/WNET, “Worldfocus” was launched in October 2008. The newscast’s companion BlogTalkRadio series, “Worldfocus Radio,” launched January 13, 2008. Also hosted by Savidge, the live, weekly half-hour series goes even further in-depth into stories covered on “Worldfocus,” while opening up the conversation, via phone calls and text chats, to people throughout the globe. feeds@blogtalkradio.comBlogTalkRadio.comnews,worldfocus,martin savidge,international news,china,economy,africa,israel,india,argentinaWorldfocusno“Worldfocus” – the nightly newscast syndicated to television stations nationwide – delivers in-depth international news that American audiences would be hard-prepisodichttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/18/small-islands-big-climate-changesNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/18/small-islands-big-climate-changes/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/18/small-islands-big-climate-changesThu, 18 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMTSmall Islands, Big Climate ChangesIn December, delegates from most of the countries around the globe gathered in Copenhagen to discuss how to slow the pace of climate change. While no full-scale agreement was reached, a political accord emerged from the conference, which China and India endorsed just last week. But rather than discussing the big greenhouse gas emitters, we want to look deeper at the immediate consequences of climate change on small islands — from the Caribbean to the South Pacific. Joining Martin Savidge are Ronald Jumeau and May Boeve to discuss: * Copenhagen conference: results, shortcomings and lessons * Best/worst-case scenarios: small islands, climate change and the future * U.S./wider world: regulation and Obama’s policies.00:45:00Worldfocusnoclimate change,greenhouse gases,global warming,AOSIS,350In December, delegates from most of the countries around the globe gathered in Copenhagen to discuss how to slow the pace of climate change. While no full-scalehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/12/demographics-of-the-arab-worldNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/12/demographics-of-the-arab-world/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/12/demographics-of-the-arab-worldFri, 12 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMTDemographics of the Arab WorldThe Arab world has over 350 million people and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Unified by a common Arabic culture and history, these 25 countries are at varying levels of economic and political development. But there seems to be a set of demographic issues that apply to many — if not all — of the nations of the Arab world. We take a deeper look at high birth rates and gender inequality and then compare them to other regions of the world. Martin Savidge hosts Magda Abu-Fadil and Bernard Haykel to discuss -- Youth bulge: jobs for young people, emigration, political instability; Gender gap: young women, variation across Arab states, political power; and Big picture: comparisons to other regions, replacement level, demographic transition. http://worldfocus.org/blog/2010/03/11/worldfocus-radio-demographics-of-the-arab-world/10034/00:45:00WorldfocusnoArab world,Demographics,Population Explosion,Arab,Youth BulgeThe Arab world has over 350 million people and stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf. Unified by a common Arabic culture and history, these 25 chttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/04/fear-and-loathing-in-las-malvinasNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/04/fear-and-loathing-in-las-malvinas/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/03/04/fear-and-loathing-in-las-malvinasThu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:00 GMTFear and Loathing in Las MalvinasWith just over 3,000 inhabitants, this small island archipelago in the South Atlantic recently made it back into the headlines, as Argentina and the U.K. dispute sovereignty issues surrounding oil exploration by a British firm. Known in English as the Falkland Islands and in Spanish as Las Malvinas, we want to look at why this little-known place brought two influential nations to war in 1982 — a conflict that now threatens to reignite. Martin Savidge hosts Juanita Brock and Professor Maria Victoria Murillo to discuss -- Falklands history: 1982 war, Argentinian claims, British control; Current dispute: Nationalism, oil resources, trade relations; U.S./Big Picture: Hillary’s visit, Latin American diplomacy, American intervention.00:45:00WorldfocusnoFalkland Islands,Falklands,Las Malvinas,Argentina,BritainWith just over 3,000 inhabitants, this small island archipelago in the South Atlantic recently made it back into the headlines, as Argentina and the U.K. disputhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/25/rwanda-as-regional-powerNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/25/rwanda-as-regional-power/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/25/rwanda-as-regional-powerThu, 25 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMTRwanda as Regional PowerThe East African nation of Rwanda has come a long way since a horrific genocide 16 years ago resulted in the death of around 800,000 Tutsis, as well as “moderate” Hutus who opposed the genocidaires. President Paul Kagame’s Tutsi-dominated government has achieved economic, political, and military stability at a time when many surrounding governments face major crises. Many Western admirers look at the Rwandan president as a model leader in the developing world. Martin Savidge hosts journalist and author Stephen Kinzer and human rights activist Noel Twagiramungu to discuss post-genocide politics, ethnic divisions, regional rivalries, and Obama's policies in the region.00:45:00WorldfocusnoRwanda,genocide,Paul Kagame,Tutsi,HutuThe East African nation of Rwanda has come a long way since a horrific genocide 16 years ago resulted in the death of around 800,000 Tutsis, as well as “moderathttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/18/burmese-political-changeNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/18/burmese-political-change/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/18/burmese-political-changeThu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMTBurmese Political ChangeThe country formerly known as Burma — now called Myanmar — has found itself on President Barack Obama’s long list of countries deserving of direct diplomatic engagement. Many international observers are hopeful that the Southeast Asian nation of 48 million people will not only respond to overtures by the U.S. — but will also hold a free and fair parliamentary election in fall 2010. Yet, the date has not been announced, and critics aren’t holding their breath. “Joshua” and Suzanne DiMaggio join Martin Savidge to explore: * Junta background: military rule, media crackdown, & ethnic oppression * 2010 elections: fair vote, Constitution, & Aung Sang Suu Kyi * U.S. interests: high-level talks, economic engagement, & policy shift 00:45:00WorldfocusnoBurma,Myanmar,Election,Democracy,JuntaThe country formerly known as Burma — now called Myanmar — has found itself on President Barack Obama’s long list of countries deserving of direct diplomatic enhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/11/iraqi-refugee-crisisNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/11/iraqi-refugee-crisis/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/11/iraqi-refugee-crisisThu, 11 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMTIraqi Refugee CrisisAlmost 7 years after the start of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, the international community still struggles to help the 2 million refugees and almost 3 million internally displaced persons who have not been able to return home. Under the U.S. Refugee Admission Program, 19,000 Iraqis were offered sanctuary and resettled -- in 2009 alone. Yet, critics allege that these refugees have not been afforded decent opportunities in their new home — and that resettling thousands may be just a drop in the bucket. This show addresses the post-invasion situation, humanitarian progress and the U.S. future in Iraq.00:45:00WorldfocusnoIraq,refugees,Iraq War,resettlement,IRCAlmost 7 years after the start of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, the international community still struggles to help the 2 million refugees and almost 3 million intehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/04/future-of-caste-in-indiaNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/04/future-of-caste-in-india/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/02/04/future-of-caste-in-indiaThu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMTFuture of Caste in IndiaCaste has existed in India for over 3 millennia, and many people view caste - in addition to curry and the Taj Mahal - as one of India’s defining features. With several thousand castes that each contain sub-castes and even smaller groups, the system varies according to geography and language. Martin Savidge will host Vivek Kumar and Corey Washington to discuss: caste discrimination, the reservation system, reverse casteism, Dalit political parties and the global anti-racism movement.00:45:00Worldfocusnocaste,caste system,casteism,Dalits,IndiaCaste has existed in India for over 3 millennia, and many people view caste - in addition to curry and the Taj Mahal - as one of India’s defining features. Withhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/27/north-koreas-economic-catastropheNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/27/north-koreas-economic-catastrophe/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/27/north-koreas-economic-catastropheWed, 27 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMTNorth Korea’s Economic CatastropheThe North Korean economy is one of the most isolated on earth and still relies on heavy industry and military spending — in addition to huge amounts of food and fuel aid. Experts on the Hermit Kingdom base their understanding on a mix of theories, scattered anecdotes from defectors — and scant hard facts. In terms of per capita GDP — $1,800 — North Korea is East Asia’s poorest country. But we know little about the country’s black markets. And we struggle to find accurate statistics on the nation’s true standard of living. Martin Savidge hosts Barbara Demick and Leon Sigal.00:45:00WorldfocusnoNorth Korea,China,South Korea,currency,economyThe North Korean economy is one of the most isolated on earth and still relies on heavy industry and military spending — in addition to huge amounts of food andhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/21/haiti-and-dr-unequal-neighborsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/21/haiti-and-dr-unequal-neighbors/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/21/haiti-and-dr-unequal-neighborsThu, 21 Jan 2010 22:30:00 GMTHaiti and DR — Unequal NeighborsIn the aftermath of last week’s earthquake in Haiti, the Dominican Republic has expressed solidarity with its neighbor. Though Haiti and the DR share the island of Hispaniola, their histories, cultures and economies greatly differ. Racial tensions, stateless children and immigrant violence have created tensions along the border. Martin Savidge hosts Marselha Gonçalves Margerin of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights and Michele Wucker of the World Policy Institute to discuss these unequal neighbors.00:45:00WorldfocusnoHaiti,Dominican Republic,Martin Savidge,race,violenceIn the aftermath of last week’s earthquake in Haiti, the Dominican Republic has expressed solidarity with its neighbor. Though Haiti and the DR share the islhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/14/yemens-multiple-warsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/14/yemens-multiple-wars/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2010/01/14/yemens-multiple-warsThu, 14 Jan 2010 17:30:00 GMTYemen's Multiple WarsYemen has dominated the news recently, since U.S. authorities learned that the alleged Christmas Day bomber trained with al-Qaeda in Yemen. Mutallab purportedly has links to radical imam Anwar al-Awlaki, the cleric known to have contacted alleged Ft. Hood shooter Nidal Hassan. Martin Savidge will host Christopher Boucek and Sudarsan Raghavan. We’ll examine the situation with al-Qaeda in Yemen and then address additional angles of the shifting circumstances there. The show will analyze the background of three different ongoing conflicts: * al-Qaeda in Yemen (current activities, terror threat, government efforts) * Houthi rebels in North (independence goals, Iran v. Saudi, Shia minority) * South Yemen separatists (historical roots, central government weakness, clans) 00:45:00WorldfocusnoYemen,al-Qaeda,Iran,Saudi Arabia,Martin SavidgeYemen has dominated the news recently, since U.S. authorities learned that the alleged Christmas Day bomber trained with al-Qaeda in Yemen. Mutallab purportehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/18/the-stans-in-transitionNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/18/the-stans-in-transition/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/18/the-stans-in-transitionFri, 18 Dec 2009 16:00:00 GMT‘The Stans’ in Transition‘The Stans’ refer to the five post-Soviet Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — with similar historical, political and cultural roots. ‘The Stans’ are protecting their cultural identity by proposing ethnic language policies — potentially banning the use of the Russian language. In Kyrgyzstan, there’s a proposal to make Kyrgyz the official language of diplomacy and in Tajikistan, there’s another to ban the use of Russian in public institutions and official documents. We’ll examine relationships with post-Soviet Russia, and how China and the United States are vying for ‘The Stans.’ This week, Chinese President Hu Jintao opened a new gas pipeline that extends from Turkmenistan to north-west China — the first without Russia’s Gazprom. Martin Savidge hosts William Fierman, a professor of Central Asian studies at Indiana University, and Nikolai Petrov, a scholar at The Carnegie Moscow Center.00:45:00WorldfocusnoCentral Asia,China,Russia,Martin Savidge,The Stans‘The Stans’ refer to the five post-Soviet Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — with similar historical, phttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/11/red-china-goes-greenNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/11/red-china-goes-green/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/11/red-china-goes-greenFri, 11 Dec 2009 01:00:00 GMTRed China Goes GreenThis week, world leaders from almost 200 countries are meeting to discuss the future of our planet. From Tonga and Mauritius to Japan and Brazil, the community of nations hopes to enact lasting change. While a host of difficult decisions often scare business leaders, voters and politicians, global pressure continues to mount. China and India, as well as the U.S. and E.U., have already committed to significant cuts in the release of harmful greenhouse gases. Will China accept lower growth, stricter rules and higher energy costs that could result? While virtually no one in China denies climate change, debate focuses on the speed of the shift to renewable energy. We want to take a closer look at how China is developing alternative energy as part of its rapid greening.00:45:00Worldfocusnoalternative energy,China,greenhouse gases,climate change,renewable energyThis week, world leaders from almost 200 countries are meeting to discuss the future of our planet. From Tonga and Mauritius to Japan and Brazil, the communityhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/03/chiles-growing-painsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/03/chiles-growing-pains/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/12/03/chiles-growing-painsThu, 03 Dec 2009 17:00:00 GMTChile's Growing PainsChile’s economic “miracle” has lifted many Chileans from poverty and become a fiscal model for Latin America. Since the 1980s, Chile’s has halved the number of people below the poverty line. But while the middle class grows, the divide between rich and poor deepens. Moreover, middle-class Chileans are under more stress and working longer hours than before. Martin Savidge hosts Peter Winn and Victoria Hurtado to discuss the underside of Chile’s prosperity, focusing on the middle class, growing inequality and the younger generation.00:45:00WorldfocusnoChile,poverty,global economy,middle class,inequalityChile’s economic “miracle” has lifted many Chileans from poverty and become a fiscal model for Latin America. Since the 1980s, Chile’s has halved the number ofhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/19/jerusalem-united-or-dividedNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/19/jerusalem-united-or-divided/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/19/jerusalem-united-or-dividedThu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMTJerusalem United or Divided? In one of the world’s most contentious cities, there are two conflicting claims to sovereignty over holy places and residential neighborhoods. East and West Jerusalem are divided along ethnic and religious lines — in addition to the separation fence that Israel built to secure the city. Palestinians claim the eastern sections of the city as the capital of a future Palestinian state. While successive Israeli prime ministers have announced support for a two-state solution, there is ambivalence about how and when to alter the city’s political fabric. Martin Savidge hosts Mustafa Barghouti and Gershon Baskin on Worldfocus Radio discussing Jerusalem United or Divided? 00:45:00WorldfocusnoIsrael,Palestine,Jerusalem,Jewish settlements,Mustafa BarghoutiIn one of the world’s most contentious cities, there are two conflicting claims to sovereignty over holy places and residential neighborhoods. East and West Jerhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/12/lgbt-politics-and-gay-asylumNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/12/lgbt-politics-and-gay-asylum/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/12/lgbt-politics-and-gay-asylumThu, 12 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMTLGBT Politics and Gay AsylumFrom human rights abuses to political progress, the gay rights movement is at different stages throughout the world. We’ll take a comparative look at the progress of LGBT politics and the gay rights movement in different countries and explore the U.S. and Canada as safe havens for gay asylum seekers. Martin Savidge hosts David Rayside and Rachel Tiven on Worldfocus Radio. 00:45:00WorldfocusnoLGBT,immigration,gay rights,homosexuality,gay marriageFrom human rights abuses to political progress, the gay rights movement is at different stages throughout the world. We’ll take a comparative look at the progrehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/06/worldfocus-radio-philippines--the-forgotten-terrorNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/06/worldfocus-radio-philippines--the-forgotten-terror/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/11/06/worldfocus-radio-philippines--the-forgotten-terrorFri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMTThe Philippines -- the Forgotten Terrorist FrontMartin Savidge hosts Filipino peace negotiator and Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado and security analyst Zachary Abuza when Worldfocus Radio explores the forgotten terrorist front in the Philippines. Since 9/11, the U.S. has stationed 500 to 600 troops in the Philippines to strengthen military forces there. The U.S. counter-insurgency efforts in the Philippines have been applauded as success stories for its mix of military might and soft power diplomacy. The U.S. is also pouring aid into the Philippines, which has one of the largest USAID packages in the world. But how deep or lasting is this counter-insurgency success? Does it solve the root problems of poverty, low literacy and crippling infrastructure? And, if the U.S. pulls out, is the Philippines prepared to stop the tide of terrorism?00:45:00Worldfocusnoal-queda,terrorism,Philippines,Martin Savidge,counter-insurgencyMartin Savidge hosts Filipino peace negotiator and Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado and security analyst Zachary Abuza when Worldfocus Radio explores the forgottehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/29/entrepreneurship-in-ethiopiaNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/29/entrepreneurship-in-ethiopia/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/29/entrepreneurship-in-ethiopiaThu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMTEntrepreneurship in EthiopiaLast year, the Economist magazine slotted Ethiopia as the fourth fastest economy in the world, ahead of China. The World Bank report “Doing Business 2010” ranks Ethiopia in the top 10 African nations in terms of the ease of doing business. The Ethiopian government is trying to strengthen local and regional businesses and attract foreign direct investment. Martin Savidge, Ethiopian businessman Ermyas Amelga and economics professor Phillip LeBel discuss how easy it is to do business in Ethiopia, who’s investing and what this means as Ethiopia moves from an agrarian society to a more urban society. The entrenched poverty hinders the robust investment environment, saddling the country with drought, food shortages and inadequate infrastructure.00:45:00WorldfocusnoEthiopia,foreign investment,post-conflict economies,poverty,WorldfocusLast year, the Economist magazine slotted Ethiopia as the fourth fastest economy in the world, ahead of China. The World Bank report “Doing Business 2010” rankshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/22/turkey-torn-between-east-and-westNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/22/turkey-torn-between-east-and-west/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/22/turkey-torn-between-east-and-westThu, 22 Oct 2009 16:00:00 GMTTurkey torn between East and WestMartin Savidge hosts Gareth Jenkins and Mustafa Akyol to discuss whether Turkey is leaning West or moving East. They discuss the country's growing Islamicization, strained relations with Israel and the limbo of European Union admission.00:45:00WorldfocusnoTurkey,Islam,secularism,European Union,IsraelMartin Savidge hosts Gareth Jenkins and Mustafa Akyol to discuss whether Turkey is leaning West or moving East. They discuss the country's growing Islamicizatiohttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/07/guatemala-behind-the-famineNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/07/guatemala-behind-the-famine/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/10/07/guatemala-behind-the-famineWed, 07 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMTGuatemala: Behind the FamineLast month, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a "state of calamity" to shunt mass hunger and the worst drought in 70 years. More than half of Guatemala's 13 million inhabitants live below the poverty line and 50 percent of children are malnourished. But these are only the surface casualties of a vulnerable nation ravaged by 36 years of civil war, genocide and now, theencroaching drug war spilling over from Mexico's northern border. Worldfocus special correspondent Martin Savidge explores the current eroding conditions, the promise of the Peace Accords and the sanctity of land.00:45:00WorldfocusnoGuatemala,Martin Savidge,Alvaro Colom,drug war,famineLast month, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom declared a "state of calamity" to shunt mass hunger and the worst drought in 70 years. More than half of Guatemalahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/21/failed-statesNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/21/failed-states/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/21/failed-statesTue, 21 Jul 2009 22:30:00 GMTFailed StatesSomalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan topped the list of failed states this year — rankings based on human rights, governance, economic activity and other indicators. Also among the top 10 are Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Poverty is endemic in many failed or failing states; in others, the government has lost legitimacy and control. As economic pressures increase with the global financial crisis, and environmental pressures contribute to water and food shortages, even more countries are at risk of failure. But these dire conditions have implications far beyond individual borders, as failed states — with their high rates of poverty and violence — may serve as breeding grounds for terrorists with global ambitions. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show will explore what it means for a state to fail, from the impact on daily life to widespread geopolitical ripple effects. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests. Tune in on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.00:45:00Worldfocusnofailed states,Worldfocus,Martin Savidge,Somalia,ZimbabweSomalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan topped the list of failed states this year — rankings based on human rights, governance, economic activity and other indicators.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/14/media-battles-in-hondurasNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/14/media-battles-in-honduras/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/14/media-battles-in-hondurasTue, 14 Jul 2009 22:30:00 GMTMedia Battles in HondurasPolitical upheaval continues in Honduras, after liberal leader Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup in late June. Zelaya and his replacement, Roberto Micheletti, have now agreed to talks mediated by the president of Costa Rica, as competing protests divide Honduras. It is a battle that has played out not only in the streets of Honduras, but also on television screens and over radio waves across the world. Some, including U.S. President Barack Obama and the Organization of American States, have condemned the ouster of the democratically-elected president, saying it was unconstitutional, illegal and a threat to democracy. Others point out that Zelaya was pushing ahead with a referendum on term limits that Honduras’ Supreme Court had ruled unconstitutional, and consider his removal the result of healthy checks and balances. The Honduran military has clamped down on pro-Zelaya channels in the country and blocked the signal of Telesur, a left-leaning television network based in Venezuela. Other state-run media across Latin America have broadcast programs in support of Zelaya. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore the coup in Honduras and how Latin America’s media industry — from state-run stations to independent websites — has become a political battleground.00:45:00WorldfocusnoHonduras,media,Hugo Chavez,Manuel Zelaya,coupPolitical upheaval continues in Honduras, after liberal leader Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a military coup in late June. Zelaya and his replacement, Robertohttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/07/uygher-unrestNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/07/uygher-unrest/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/07/07/uygher-unrestTue, 07 Jul 2009 23:30:00 GMTUighur unrest in ChinaAt least 140 people were killed and more than 800 injured in China, where tensions between ethnic Uighurs and Han Chinese turned deadly, according to state-run media. Rioters stoned police and set vehicles on fire. The government responded swiftly to riots, reportedly locking down parts of the city of Urumqi and disabling communication tools like Twitter, but protests spread to other cities. The ethnically Muslim Uyghurs live in the oil-rich Xinjiang region, north of Tibet. The Chinese government has imposed restrictions on the Uighurs’ religious practice in this autonomous region and many Uighurs resent Chinese rule and complain of discrimination.00:45:00WorldfocusnoUighur,China,Muslim,riots,WorldfocusAt least 140 people were killed and more than 800 injured in China, where tensions between ethnic Uighurs and Han Chinese turned deadly, according to state-runhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/30/sudan-beyond-darfurNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/30/sudan-beyond-darfur/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/30/sudan-beyond-darfurTue, 30 Jun 2009 22:30:00 GMTSudan, Beyond DarfurWhile the conflict and bloodshed in Sudan’s Darfur region have received much attention from the international press and human rights groups, other conflicts in the country — in the north, the south and in the central Nuba Mountains — have largely remained outside the spotlight. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show will explore tensions in South Sudan, the site of a two-decade civil war between the Muslim north and mostly Christian south that killed more than 1.5 million people. The south is also home to 80 percent of Sudan’s oil. The war came to an end in 2005 with the signing of a peace agreement that exempted the south from Islamic Sharia law and established a regional southern government as well as a system of shared oil revenues. But with increasingly deadly tribal violence in South Sudan and a humanitarian crisis that could soon eclipse that in Darfur, trouble is brewing once more. In a conference on Sudan in Washington this week, leaders from the north and south pledged to avoid a return to war. South Sudan is set for a referendum on independence in 2011 and many in the region hope that the vote will allow a break from Khartoum once and for all, creating a new African nation. Others remain wary, pointing to corruption and incompetence on the part of South Sudan’s government and accusing leaders of squandering oil revenues. Our online radio show on Tuesday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore the roots of conflict in South Sudan and the movement for secession, looking at the dire conditions in the south and connections between other conflicts in the country.00:45:00WorldfocusnoSudan,Worldfocus,Martin Savidge,Darfur,AfricaWhile the conflict and bloodshed in Sudan’s Darfur region have received much attention from the international press and human rights groups, other conflicts inhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/23/statelessnessNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/23/statelessness/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/23/statelessnessTue, 23 Jun 2009 22:30:00 GMTStatelessnessImagine you have no birth certificate, no passport and no legal rights. You’re trapped in the country where you were born, but no document indicates that you even exist. The state doesn’t recognize you, so you can’t vote, you can’t access education and you can’t obtain formal employment. This is a worst-case situation, but across the globe, between 12 and 15 million people live in various stages of statelessness, which means they lack citizenship in any country. Some of the most notably stateless people include the Palestinians of the Middle East, the ethnic Tutsis of Central Africa, some Roma in Europe and Haitian children in the Dominican Republic. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore the common themes that surface among stateless people — economic discrimination, social exclusion, identity and the feeling of invisibility. As the world turns its attention to the plight of refugees this weekend for World Refugee Day, we’ll take a look at these vulnerable sub-groups. We’ll also examine the political climates and security issues surrounding the ruling governments that keep these groups stateless.00:45:00WorldfocusnoWorld Refugee Day,statelessness,Roma,Worldfocus,Martin SavidgeImagine you have no birth certificate, no passport and no legal rights. You’re trapped in the country where you were born, but no document indicates that you evhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/16/argentinas-farm-politicsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/16/argentinas-farm-politics/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/16/argentinas-farm-politicsTue, 16 Jun 2009 23:30:00 GMTArgentina’s Farming CrisisThe debate over agricultural policy in Argentina could pave the way for political transformation. The country was once the world’s biggest exporter of beef and was known as the “bread basket” of South America. But Argentina may be forced to import beef next year, and many of the country’s farmers blame government restrictions on exports. In recent months, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has refused to lower hefty export taxes despite continued protests. She and her supporters face an uphill battle in this month’s Congressional elections, with an approval rating of roughly 30 percent. Tensions have been exacerbated by the looming economic crisis and a severe drought, the worst in some 70 years, which has devastated crops. Some farmers are now planning to run for election, hoping to leverage public support and pave the way for a new congressional majority that could lower taxes. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore the state of Argentina’s farms and what the future holds for the country’s economy and leadership.00:45:00WorldfocusnoArgentina,farm politics,economy,Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner,electionsThe debate over agricultural policy in Argentina could pave the way for political transformation. The country was once the world’s biggest exporter of beef ahttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/09/Bosnias-delicate-balanceNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/09/Bosnias-delicate-balance/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/09/Bosnias-delicate-balanceTue, 09 Jun 2009 22:30:00 GMTBosnia’s Delicate BalanceMore than a decade after the war’s end, Bosnia and Herzegovina may once more be on the brink of conflict. The 1992-1995 war in Bosnia left approximately 100,000 dead and divided Muslim, Serb and Croat communities. Though the U.S.-brokered Dayton peace agreement brought an end to the war, the country remains divided, and officials worry that the peace agreement could soon collapse. In late May, U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden visited Bosnia and voiced concerns, saying “To be very blunt with you, I personally, and the leadership of my country is worried…about the direction of your country and your future.” Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore the roots of conflict and Bosnia’s fragile peace, looking at life on the ground in the tension-filled country. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests.00:45:00WorldfocusnoBosnia,Biden,Worldfocus,Savidge,conflictMore than a decade after the war’s end, Bosnia and Herzegovina may once more be on the brink of conflict. The 1992-1995 war in Bosnia left approximately 100,0http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/02/lebanons-electionsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/02/lebanons-elections/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/06/02/lebanons-electionsTue, 02 Jun 2009 22:30:00 GMTLebanon's ElectionsLebanon will head to the polls on June 7 in an election that could alter the political fabric of the country, with Hezbollah and its allies poised to make significant gains. Hezbollah is pitted against the current anti-Syria majority. The robust campaign has split Lebanese voters. On a visit to Lebanon in late May, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden – the highest-level U.S. official to visit Lebanon in over two decades – warned that U.S. aid would be dependent on the outcome of the elections. Hezbollah is backed by Iran and Syria, while the U.S. and its allies support the current parliamentary majority, who came to power in the previous election after Sunni leader and former prime minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated in 2005. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will examine the issues and implications of Lebanon’s election, looking back to the country’s turbulent history and forward to a potentially new political landscape. 00:45:00WorldfocusnoLebanon,Hezbollah,Syria,Sunni,Joe BidenLebanon will head to the polls on June 7 in an election that could alter the political fabric of the country, with Hezbollah and its allies poised to make signihttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/19/polar-politicsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/19/polar-politics/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/19/polar-politicsTue, 19 May 2009 23:30:00 GMTPolar PoliticsOnce considered a frigid wasteland, the Arctic is melting faster than any other region on earth and revealing its hidden treasures in the process, from oil to new shipping routes. A race for control has broken out as the Arctic emerges as a region of vital economic and military importance. It is estimated that the Arctic holds nearly a quarter of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas reserves. Nations are furiously mapping seabeds, vying for sections of continental shelf in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, set up to determine offshore boundaries. The U.S. has not ratified the Law of the Sea and therefore cannot file claims. But in addition to nations’ self-interests, the complex environmental, business and governance questions surrounding the Arctic may also necessitate more international cooperation. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore polar politics. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests: McKenzie Funk is a writer for National Geographic and Harper’s Magazine who has reported extensively from the Arctic region. Jessica Shadian is a senior research fellow at the High North Center for Business and Governance at the Bodø Graduate School for Business and Governance in Bodø, Norway. Oran Young is a professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara.00:45:00WorldfocusnoWorldfocus,Arctic,politics,environment,oilOnce considered a frigid wasteland, the Arctic is melting faster than any other region on earth and revealing its hidden treasures in the process, from oil to nhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/12/Urban-slumsNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/12/Urban-slums/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/12/Urban-slumsTue, 12 May 2009 22:30:00 GMTUrban slumsThe year 2007 was a turning point for the world, marking the first time when the majority of the global population lived in cities rather than in the country. The world’s population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050, and increasing urbanization will push the urban-rural divide even further. Do the world’s cities have the jobs, infrastructure and space to support this kind of growth? The answer might be found in the explosion of world slums over the past decade. The United Nations predicts that 2 billion people worldwide will live in slums by 2030. In his 2006 book “Planet of Slums,” urban historian Mike Davis paints a dark picture of the future to come, writing: The cities of the future, rather than being made out of glass and steel as envisioned by earlier generations of urbanists, are instead largely constructed out of crude brick, straw, recycled plastic, cement blocks, and scrap wood. Instead of cities of light soaring toward heaven, much of the twenty-first-century urban world squts in squalor, surrounded by pollution, excrement and decay. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore urbanization and the rise of slums, examining how such deplorable conditions might be addressed, even as the global economic crisis looms. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests, including Erhard Berner, Mary Wiltenburg and Robert Neuwirth.00:45:00Worldfocusnoeconomic crisis,QA,slums,social justice,urban slumsThe year 2007 was a turning point for the world, marking the first time when the majority of the global population lived in cities rather than in the country.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/05/russias-population-in-perilNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/05/russias-population-in-peril/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/05/05/russias-population-in-perilTue, 05 May 2009 23:30:00 GMTRussia’s population in perilEnvironmentalists and others may balk at the world’s rapid population growth, as the global population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050 – but in Russia, the opposite is true. Facing dual threats of low birth rates and soaring mortality rates, the Russian population is aging and dying, according to a recent report from the United Nations Development Programme.00:45:00WorldfocusnoRussia,News,International News,Worldfocus,PopulationEnvironmentalists and others may balk at the world’s rapid population growth, as the global population is expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050 – but in Russia,http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/28/the-business-of-iraqNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/28/the-business-of-iraq/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/28/the-business-of-iraqTue, 28 Apr 2009 23:30:00 GMTThe Business of IraqIraq’s massive oil reserves, the third largest in the world, are well-known. But small businesses represent about 90 percent of the country’s businesses. More than a quarter of young men in Iraq are jobless, according to the United Nations, and this high rate of unemployment and lack of prospects can often contribute to instability. Some 450,000 people will enter the workforce in Iraq this year — but only a fraction of them will find jobs. The country is also not immune from the global financial crisis, and dropping oil prices represent a threat in a country where oil accounts for about 95 percent of the government’s revenue. As the new administration in Washington prepares to scale down the U.S. presence in Iraq and the world’s focus shifts to Afghanistan, Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore the state of the Iraqi economy, from small shoe shops to large oil corporations. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests: Ali Alnaemi was born in Baghdad, Iraq. He worked as a freelance reporter for the BBC and Voices of America in Iraq, and from 2004-2007 worked as the newsroom manager for The New York Times’ bureau in Baghdad. Ali’s main interests include politics and issues that affect minorities in the U.S. Eric Davis is a professor of political science at Rutgers University and past director of the University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies. His research has included the study of the relationship between state power and historical memory in modern Iraq and the impact of oil wealth on the state and culture in Arab oil-producing countries. His publications include “Memories of State: Politics, History and Collective Identity in Modern Iraq,” among others. Robert Looney is a professor of national security affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School. He has been an adviser to the governments of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Panama, Jamaica and Mexico. Robert’s regional interests are government b00:45:00WorldfocusnoWorldfocus,World Focus,Martin Savidge,Iraq,EconomyIraq’s massive oil reserves, the third largest in the world, are well-known. But small businesses represent about 90 percent of the country’s businesses. Morehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/21/sri-lankas-bloody-civil-warNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/21/sri-lankas-bloody-civil-war/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/21/sri-lankas-bloody-civil-warTue, 21 Apr 2009 23:30:00 GMTSri Lanka's Bloody Civil WarThe United Nations has warned of a possible “blood bath” as the Sri Lankan military encroaches on the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who are now cornered in a small piece of coastal territory — along with up to 150,000 civilians. The Tamil Tigers have long fought for an independent state for Sri Lanka’s Tamil ethnic minority, which is often at odds with the majority Sinhalese community. Seen by some as a prototype for modern terrorism, the Tamil Tigers pioneered the suicide bomb jacket and the use of women in suicide attacks. The civil war is one of Asia’s longest-running conflicts, and the U.N. estimates that more than 60 civilians are killed every day – caused by firing from both sides. The conflict was more deadly than the war in Afghanistan last year. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore the root causes of conflict and if this is indeed the “final confrontation“ that the U.N. says it may be, examining the humanitarian consequences and broader implications for global terrorism. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests.00:45:00WorldfocusnoSri Lanka,Tamil Tigers,rebels,civil war,terrorismThe United Nations has warned of a possible “blood bath” as the Sri Lankan military encroaches on the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who are nowhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/14/african-women-in-powerNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/14/african-women-in-power/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/04/14/african-women-in-powerTue, 14 Apr 2009 23:30:00 GMTAfrican Women in PowerDuring the past several decades, women politicians have made strides in Africa. The share of parliamentary seats held by women increased from 7 percent in 1990 to 17 percent in 2007. The Rwandan parliament is a world leader in terms of female political participation, with 56 percent of its seats held by women. Liberia now has Africa’s first elected woman president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Watch Worldfocus’ signature story and an extended interview with Sirleaf: Africa’s first elected female president lifts Liberia. But this heightened gender equality in government has not necessarily translated into equality in everyday life for the majority of African women, who still face disproportionate poverty, violence and challenges in accessing education. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore the political, economic and social implications of the rise of women power players in Africa. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests: Micheline Ravololonarisoa is the chief of the Africa Section at the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). She has more than 25 years of experience as a sociologist, feminist and activist specializing in African development and women’s issues. Micheline began her activist career with a student movement in her native Madagascar and was forced to leave the country in 1974 because of this work. She has served as program director at the Agency for Cooperation Research and Development (ACORD) and remains a member of several African and international women’s networks, including Akina Mama wa Afrika and ABANTU for Development. Lynn Sherr is an award-winning journalist and author who has contributed to Worldfocus reports from Liberia, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua. She is a former correspondent with ABC’s “20/20? and covered a wide range of stories, specializing in women’s issues and social changes, as well as investigative reports. Lynn is the author of “Failure00:45:00WorldfocusnoAfrica,feminism,Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,Rwanda,LiberiaDuring the past several decades, women politicians have made strides in Africa. The share of parliamentary seats held by women increased from 7 percent in 1990http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/31/resources-in-the-developing-worldNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/31/resources-in-the-developing-world/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/31/resources-in-the-developing-worldTue, 31 Mar 2009 22:30:00 GMTResource Wars in Developing WorldCompetition for natural resources often lies at the heart of human conflict, from oil and water in the Middle East to contested coltan in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In today’s economic environment, the demand for some resources may be declining, but the importance of who controls natural resources like oil and water — and how they control — is of pressing importance as supplies of these resources dwindle. This proves particularly true for developing countries, where the right decisions can lead to a strong infrastructure and international influence, and the wrong decisions can lead to social strife, war or environmental destruction. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show will explore the state of natural resource use, opportunities and dangers for resource-rich developing countries and the role played by the U.S. in this global issue. Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge will host a panel of guests.00:45:00Worldfocusnoenvironment,international news,worldfocus,brazil,swedenCompetition for natural resources often lies at the heart of human conflict, from oil and water in the Middle East to contested coltan in the Democratic Republihttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/24/violence-in-northern-irelandNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/24/violence-in-northern-ireland/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/24/violence-in-northern-irelandTue, 24 Mar 2009 22:30:00 GMTViolence in Northern IrelandFollowing two recent attacks by Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter groups, Northern Ireland is on edge, fearing a return to the “Troubles” — the decades of violence that killed more than 3,300 people until the 1998 Good Friday peace accord. In the first attack, the Real IRA gunned down two British soldiers — the first British troops killed in Northern Ireland in 12 years. The following day, the Continuity IRA killed a member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Both groups have vowed to continue their operations until Northern Ireland is no longer part of the United Kingdom. The attacks shook the province’s coalition government of Protestants and Catholics, many of whom disagree on who should rule Northern Ireland — Ireland or the United Kingdom. In the wake of the attacks, thousands have gathered for peace rallies across the country. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. EDT will explore the history of violence in Northern Ireland and the current political and security situation there, examining life in the conflict-torn province and prospects for the future.00:45:00WorldfocusnoNorthern Ireland,IRA,Ireland,violence,peaceFollowing two recent attacks by Irish Republican Army (IRA) splinter groups, Northern Ireland is on edge, fearing a return to the “Troubles” — the decades of vihttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/17/the-bahai-faith-and-irans-changing-societyNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/17/the-bahai-faith-and-irans-changing-society/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/17/the-bahai-faith-and-irans-changing-societyTue, 17 Mar 2009 23:30:00 GMTBaha’i Faith and Modern IranIran arrested seven leaders of the religious Baha’i community last year, charging them with espionage and alleging that the five men and two women are spies for Israel. Baha’i headquarters are located in Israel. Iranian leaders view the religion as heresy and it has been banned since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Many followers of the Baha’i faith in Iran have been arrested, imprisoned or executed. The Baha’i faith is a monotheistic religion with origins in 19th-century Iran. Baha’is are considered Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, with about 300,000 members. The U.S. has condemned Iran for its persecution of the Baha’is, calling the detainment of religious leaders “baseless.” Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. EDT will explore the background and history of the Baha’i faith, religious persecution in Iran and the arrest and forthcoming trial of the seven Baha’i leaders.00:45:00WorldfocusnoBahai,Iran,religion,Israel,WorldfocusIran arrested seven leaders of the religious Baha’i community last year, charging them with espionage and alleging that the five men and two women are spies forhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/10/mexicos-drug-warNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/10/mexicos-drug-war/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/10/mexicos-drug-warTue, 10 Mar 2009 23:30:00 GMTMexico's Drug WarDuring the last year, more than 6,000 people have been murdered in Mexico’s drug wars. It's estimated that the drug violence in Mexico is even deadlier than the war in Afghanistan. The show will focus on the U.S.-Mexican drug war, widen to narco and gang culture and explore the prospects for U.S.-Mexican relations.00:45:00Worldfocusnonarco culture,drug war,Mexico,border,drugsDuring the last year, more than 6,000 people have been murdered in Mexico’s drug wars. It's estimated that the drug violence in Mexico is even deadlier than thehttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/04/canadas-role-in-afghanistanNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/04/canadas-role-in-afghanistan/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/03/04/canadas-role-in-afghanistanWed, 04 Mar 2009 00:30:00 GMTCanada's Role in AfghanistanWorldfocus will explore Canada's role in the war in Afghanistan. We'll look at Canada's eight-year commitment to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and the dilemma in which the world's peacekeeper currently finds itself.00:45:00WorldfocusnoCanada,Afghanistan,war,peace,peacekeepersWorldfocus will explore Canada's role in the war in Afghanistan. We'll look at Canada's eight-year commitment to U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and the dilemma inhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/25/behind-hugo-chavezNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/25/behind-hugo-chavez/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/25/behind-hugo-chavezWed, 25 Feb 2009 00:30:00 GMTBehind Hugo ChavezVenezuelans recently voted for a referendum to end term limits, which could potentially extend President Hugo Chávez’s term indefinitely. Chávez is a darling of news headlines worldwide with his colorful, often anti-American rhetoric and socialist agenda, but Worldfocus’ online radio show will look at what the headlines miss.00:45:00WorldfocusnoHugo Chavez,Chavez,Venezuela,Latin America,International NewsVenezuelans recently voted for a referendum to end term limits, which could potentially extend President Hugo Chávez’s term indefinitely. Chávez is a darlinghttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/18/china-in-africaNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/18/china-in-africa/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/18/china-in-africaWed, 18 Feb 2009 00:30:00 GMTChina in AfricaChinese President Hu Jintao ended his tour of four African nations this week, having promised to deepen ties with the continent. A lot of chatter has surrounded China’s interests in Africa. Media have branded China’s role in Africa as an invasion or an era of neo-colonialism with ulterior motives of pillaging Africa’s raw materials. Rhetoric from Chinese and African leaders includes words like “friendship,” “partnership” and “brotherhood,” stressing a shared history and common experience. Some of this trade, however, involves countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe, where human rights abuses have been cited. Some also criticize the flood of cheap Chinese goods because it has eliminated Africans’ jobs. Worldfocus.org’s weekly radio show examined the roots of the China-Africa relationship dating back 50 years, exploring what it means for Africa and China and whether the U.S. has become an uncomfortable third wheel.00:45:00WorldfocusnoChina,Africa,Hu Jintao,China-Africa relationship,China in AfricaChinese President Hu Jintao ended his tour of four African nations this week, having promised to deepen ties with the continent. A lot of chatter has surrouhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/10/icelands-collapseNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/10/icelands-collapse/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/10/icelands-collapseTue, 10 Feb 2009 23:30:00 GMTIceland's Economic MeltdownJust over a year ago, many in Iceland praised Prime Minister Geir Haarde for strengthening the country’s economy and Iceland was rated the “best place to live” by the United Nations. Then the global financial crisis hit, and the country’s three largest banks failed in October. In late January, Haarde resigned following weeks of public pressure and the coalition government collapsed. Up to 32,000 people have participated in protests – more than 10 percent of the country’s population.00:45:00WorldfocusnoIceland,International news,economy,government,recessionJust over a year ago, many in Iceland praised Prime Minister Geir Haarde for strengthening the country’s economy and Iceland was rated the “best place to live”http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/04/reverse-brain-drain-and-the-us-economyNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/04/reverse-brain-drain-and-the-us-economy/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/02/04/reverse-brain-drain-and-the-us-economyWed, 04 Feb 2009 00:30:00 GMTReverse brain drain In a phenomenon known as reverse brain drain, highly skilled immigrants and foreign students in the U.S. are returning to their home countries — nations like India or China whose industries might seem attractive as U.S. unemployment rises and visa restrictions come into effect.00:45:00Worldfocusnonews,international news,China,India,economyIn a phenomenon known as reverse brain drain, highly skilled immigrants and foreign students in the U.S. are returning to their home countries — nations like Inhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/28/Cubas-Past-Future-The-US-Cuban-RelationshipNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/28/Cubas-Past-Future-The-US-Cuban-Relationship/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/28/Cubas-Past-Future-The-US-Cuban-RelationshipWed, 28 Jan 2009 00:30:00 GMTCuba and the USHalf a century after the Cuban revolution, Worldfocus looks back to the roots of U.S.-Cuban relations and forward to the potentially changing relations under President Obama. Worldfocus.org and anchor Martin Savidge will discuss what Americans don’t know about Cuba and the history of American policy.00:45:00WorldfocusnoCuba,Castro,Obama,international news,newsHalf a century after the Cuban revolution, Worldfocus looks back to the roots of U.S.-Cuban relations and forward to the potentially changing relations under Prhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/21/lawlessness-in-somaliaNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/21/lawlessness-in-somalia/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/21/lawlessness-in-somaliaWed, 21 Jan 2009 00:30:00 GMTLawlessness in SomaliaNews of sea piracy off the coast of Somalia has dominated headlines worldwide. A power vacuum and conflict between warlords and insurgents have displaced over 800,000 Somalis and left millions hungry. Lawlessness and instability are the norm in a country where no functioning central government has existed since 1991.00:30:00WorldfocusnoSomalia,Africa,Ethiopia,international news,current eventsNews of sea piracy off the coast of Somalia has dominated headlines worldwide. A power vacuum and conflict between warlords and insurgents have displaced over 8http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/14/The-roots-of-the-war-in-GazaNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/14/The-roots-of-the-war-in-Gaza/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2009/01/14/The-roots-of-the-war-in-GazaWed, 14 Jan 2009 00:30:00 GMTRoots of the war in GazaBeginning today, January 13, Worldfocus – the nightly news series that’s syndicated to PBS stations nationwide – debuts its companion program, Worldfocus Radio, here on BTR. Hosted by Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge, the 30-minute show will air every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tonight’s maiden edition examines the escalating war in Gaza, and its historic roots. Guests include Ehud Eiran, research fellow at Harvard University, Ghassan Shabaneh, professor of international studies at Marymount Manhattan College, Wendy Pearlman, political science professor at Northwestern University, and Charles D. Smith, professor of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona. Worldfocus was launched in October 2008 by WNET.ORG, the parent of New York City-based PBS stations Thirteen/WNET and WLIW21, and boasts a team of seasoned journalists and production professionals who tap the resources of reporters throughout the globe. 00:45:00WorldfocusnoGaza,Israel,Palestine,Middle East,NewsBeginning today, January 13, Worldfocus – the nightly news series that’s syndicated to PBS stations nationwide – debuts its companion program, Worldfocus Radio,http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/17/Crisis-in-CongoNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/17/Crisis-in-Congo/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/17/Crisis-in-CongoWed, 17 Dec 2008 00:30:00 GMTCrisis in Congo ‘Worldfocus’ Wins RFK Journalism Award for Congo Series In October 2008, Worldfocus traveled to eastern Congo as fighting in the decade-long civil war there – which has been called the deadliest conflict since World War II – intensified. The two-man crew was comprised of correspondent Michael J. Kavanagh and cameraman and producer Taylor Krauss. Two months later, Worldfocus anchor Martin Savidge would take to the PBS airwaves with one story about the displace- ment of hundreds of thousands of Congolese, and another detailing the use of rape as a political weapon in the Congo. Now, in recognition of the Michael, Taylor, executive producer Marc Rosenwasser and producer Lisa Biagiotti’s efforts to expose these war-wrought horrors, the nightly news program has been honored with a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Crisis in the Congo: The Story of Pascal and Vestine. BlogTalkRadio congratulates the entire Worldfocus team for its outstanding work. To learn more about the RFK Journalism Awards, click here. 00:30:00WorldfocusnoRobert F Kennedy Jou,Congo Africa,Martin Savidge,Civil war,BlogTalkRadios World‘Worldfocus’ Wins RFK Journalism Award for Congo Series In October 2008, Worldfocus traveled to eastern Congo as fighting in the decade-long civil warhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/10/Kashmir-with-Martin-SavidgeNewshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/10/Kashmir-with-Martin-Savidge/#commentshttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldfocus/2008/12/10/Kashmir-with-Martin-SavidgeWed, 10 Dec 2008 00:30:00 GMTKashmir with Martin SavidgeMartin Savidge, host of Worldfocus, speaks with experts about the history and conflict of Kashmir.00:45:00WorldfocusnoKashmir,India,PakistanMartin Savidge, host of Worldfocus, speaks with experts about the history and conflict of Kashmir.