Newz of the World

NEWZ050 The Berlusconi Effect

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:22:19 +0000

After a few weeks off Tim and Mark are reviewing some of the major stories that we missed recently starting with the factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed 1100 people. In Libya there have been various protests against the government and militias related to a new law regarding former Qaddafi government workers. The US continues to debate getting involved in Syria and what their involvement should be. Over in Pakistan the latest elections have brought back the once ousted Nawaz Sharif as president. Iceland's latest votes have kicked out the center left, brought on the center right, and set back hopes of a new constitution. In keeping with politics, Flattr and Piratebay cofounder (and friend of this show) Peter Sunde has announced he will run for European Parliament in 2014 as a member of the Pirate Party in Finland. Our NEWZ Source for this week is a very old and very useful scientific research magazine - NATURE.

NEWZ049 These Are Not The Tuaregs You Are Looking For

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:37:33 +0000

This week Mark and Tim are looking at various newz around the world: Human Rights Watch has published a report accusing the Syrian government of war crimes. Close by in Lebanon a "power ship" is extending daily power supply of the country by two hours a day. The Malian government announces elections to be held this year. Novartis loses a drug patent case in India. The US supreme court ist about to decide if the Human Genome can be patented at all. Facebook guy Mark Zuckerberg starts a political action group in the US. We close by providing another NEWZ source: opensecrets.org and giving an update on upcoming travels and talks by Mark and Tim.

NEWZ048 Not A Tourist Accident

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:32:34 +0000

Unlike the rest of the internet today, we at Newz of the World are sticking with the facts, mostly. Starting with the riots in Myanmar that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands. Meanwhile a very complex list of proposals is being disputed for the Southern European gas pipeline route. Doctors in the UK say a new health policy that starts today will dismantle the public healthcare system. Down in Egypt, divers were caught snipping cables in the Mediterranean. Today's Newz Source is a one stop shop for policy and society news on the European Union level: Euractiv.com.

NEWZ047 Try To Take Over The World!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:59:46 +0000

A rebel coup has sent the President of the Central African Republic into exile. While the IMF and the EU agree to a deal to bailout Cyprus. Old Guatemalan strong man Rios Montt faces a genocide trial for his actions in the 80's. We wonder if even with the new constitution, Robert Mugabe might be President when he is 100 years old. Riot police in Rio carry out more evictions as part of World Cup and Olympic preparations. And our NEWZ source of the day is the mighty Arms Control Wonk.

NEWZ046 Frankie The First From The End of the World

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:26:22 +0000

People in the Vatican City went nuts last night as Pope Frank #1 was unveiled. Meanwhile we catchup on the death of Hugo Chavez and the cult of personality syndrome in Venezuela. Kenya counted up their ballots and declared a new president, while China skipped the ballots and declared Jinping the new guy in charge. Dennis Rodman went to North Korea and made many Americans angry (or frustrated as they couldn't understand a word he says). PRX launches a new media storage system for the internets. And our featured Newz Source for today is an audio podcast: The World.

NEWZ045 Europe’s Facepalm

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 13:23:00 +0000

It is election week on Newz of the World as this week we dive into the anticipated Kenyan general elections that are coming up and the disappointing Italian elections that just occurred. We also join the US Supreme Court in debating what good DNA sampling can do or not do. Elsewhere the word from southern Thailand is peace, but what does it mean for people of those three provinces long terrorized by an under-reported war. And finally India has announced a new fund focusing on safety for women. Rounding it all off is another edition of Newz Sources where this week we take a look at AllAfrica.com. In conclusion we discuss some possible features of the upcoming Re:publica13 conference in Berlin where we will both be speaking.

NEWZ044 Non-Aligned Podcast Movement

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:24:46 +0000

This week we look at the reelection of Ecuador's president Rafael Correa and roll the dice if the report on "Blackmailed Gay Clergy" at the Vatican might be related to the Pope's recent resignation. Marks reports from a visit to a refugee church in Amsterdam this week, home to 127 refugees that the Dutch government wants to send home. We also discuss problems with Nuclear waste at Hanford (US) and Asse (Germany) and the general unsolved problems of the remains of Nuclear power production worldwide. We conclude with a brief look at the second anniversary of the Libyan revolution and point to another excellent NEWZ source: Informed Comment by Juan Cole.

NEWZ043 A New Pope

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:26:54 +0000

This day we get in touch with all kinds of Higher Powers that reign our earthly being as God decides to let go his direct representative and sends lightning and meteorites to hit earth to make a point. We also look at the assassination of a Tunesian opposition leader that makes clear that Arab Spring revolution is far from over. Then we look at how companies and governments plan to look at us via social media and we present another Newz Source that delivers exactly what its name implies: breaking news.

NEWZ042 The Former News Magazine

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:44:37 +0000

This week our NEWZ attention is focused on the environment in places like Colorado where there is a hot debate over drilling on public land. While in the Brazilian state of Pará the world's 3rd largest dam is having a huge impact on everything. In the realm of science the EU Commission has awarded some big funds to major research projects. Reporters Without Borders has released a very grim 2012 report. And speaking of difficult conversations, Madge Weinstein released a special podcast on the Algerian Hostage Crisis which we talk about. The week's Newz Source is Der Spiegel International, listen to find out why!

NEWZ041 Paving the Way With Bombs

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:18:24 +0000

This week we focus on some heated conflicts in Nothern Africa. After France has moved in to support the Maliean troops they are making quick progress retaking most of the towns and villages in Nothern Mali. But things might not be as easy from now on with the islamic fighters hiding in the desert. In Egypt we look at the return of violent public protest in the streets just in time for the second anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution. In other newz, we find that Cuba has a new Internet cable now but not yet pass along the packets to its citizens. The US is making headlines because they are about to allow women to join the front lines of their war zones. As a bonus for the dear listener of this fine show, we present the second NEWZ source: the electronic magazine Jadaliyya.

NEWZ040 Bad Hair League

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:54:13 +0000

We start off this week by looking at the cruel hostage situation in Algeria that is a result of France joining the Mali conflict. From there we take a look at the prison situation in Afghanistan now that many foreign forces are gone and find that torture is widespread. A new study of US academic institutes presents research done on the overall health situation in the US and the state of the US health system in general (does not look good) and we take a peek on the upcoming elections in Israel where Benjamin Natanjahu is expected to continue his reign over the jewish country. Apart from just digging through the daily news flow we are also starting a new section on Newz of the World. From now on we will point out interesting newz sources for you to use and evaluate yourself and to explain where all our material is coming from and how it's being used, searched and extracted. Because we want you to become good citizen reporters too.

NEWZ039 Bunch of Weed Hoarders

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:17:19 +0000

This week's newz kicks off with an update and a new rape case from northern India. Then we get into Northern Mali, as France takes action, who are the armed groups in the country? Aaron Swartz and his life's work remembered. The first ever Global Atlas for Renewable Energy has been launched. And with the beginning of the new year, the Netherlands has amended their new weed policy in ways that make us go.. hmmmm. All this and more on yet another memorable edition of Newz of the World!

NEWZ038 Porn Stars and Comedians

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:06:38 +0000

After a long hiatus over the holidays we return to the stage with the first real NEWZ show after we covered Marks trip to Tunesia, Egypt and Lebanon in detail in the last two shows. This time we look at the rebel situation in Congo that still dominates the news from this central African state. Then we turn our eyes on Hugo Chavez who is supposed to begin his next term as president but is unable to do so because he is treated for cancer in Cuba. We look at Italy's ever revolving wheel of fortune for the next president after Mario Monti has stepped down. Finally Tim reports on the most recent 29th Chaos Communicaton Congress in Hamburg that Mark was unable to attend.

NEWZ037 A Tub Of Hummus

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:23:32 +0000

This week we feature another update from Mark's journey through Tunisia, Egypt, and Lebanon, this time with a special focus on the latest developments in Cairo and observations from Beirut. Since our last program things in the Egyptian capital have continued to stay interesting as protestors have been regularly surrounding the Presidential palace demanding he resign, while pro-government supporters and police have also converged on the site resulting in street battles that caused over 400 injuries and 6 deaths. What will happen next? Meanwhile after a visit to Lebanon our focus shifts to the social and political reality in that country and the pressure being felt from neighboring Syria. We also discuss the harsh reality for Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Mark shares what he learned about living conditions and civil rights while attempting to visit a refugee camp in Tyre. Next week we will return to our traditional NEWZ format with multiple topics and discussion.

NEWZ036 We Need To Stay Mad

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:17:55 +0000

We haven't been able to kick out a new episode for a while because Mark has been super busy on his trip to Tunesia, Egypt and Lebanon interviewing people and generally enjoying the strange atmosphere in the Mother of all cities: Cairo, the capitol of Egypt. We talk about the city, Egypt, the remains of the revolution and the current events regarding president Mursi trying to claim new power and the people's reaction to it. We also talk about the implications of the Gaza conflict on Egyptian politics and other interesting stuff happening.

NEWZ035 This Is What Adults Do

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 01:28:43 +0000

This week's Newz has the added bonus of Tim reporting from Bogota, with an update about things he has seen and things going on in Colombia. Then its time for Hurricane Sandy aftermath stories courtesy of Mark's family and friends in NJ. Vote stealing is explored and UN observers will be back in the US next week. No agreement reached on protecting a chunk of the Antarctic, while a NYTimes piece tells the story of China's largest professional exodus in a decade. The Arab Artists trip begins now, updates coming on the next edition of Newz of the World.

NEWZ034 Outdrilling the Republican

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:20:48 +0000

This week we kick things off with the bizarro second US Presidential Election Debate. From there its on to constitutional struggles in Egypt. Over in South America, Uruguay becomes the third nation to legalize abortion. The people of Portugal take to the streets and surround parliament. While the EU agrees on a Eurozone Bank Supervisor arrangement. Speaking of the Nobel Prize winning Union, we look back on the decision last week. Looking ahead, Tim is Colombia bound!

NEWZ033 I Want a Computer Pen

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:55:16 +0000

This week the Newz team begins back in Venezuela to discuss what happened with the elections over the weekend. From there we go over to Brazil where the first Black Supreme Court President has been appointed. Some terrible news from Nigeria where students were massacred last week. While up near the Syrian border, the US Military is concerned about chemical weapons and has deployed a force to Jordan. Following up on the South African Mining Strikes, workers have rejected the latest offer from the major gold companies. And finally today, it is Nobel season, so Tim and Mark are making their Peace Prize predictions.

NEWZ032 Terrorists consist of 60% water

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 10:18:18 +0000

This week Mark reports in from Stockholm as we start off with the escalating Turkey-Syria conflict. Over in the Balkans, Serbia bans another gay pride celebration. A man named Capriles is challenging Chavez in the Venezuelan presidential election this weekend. While this past week the world watched as the Georgian Dream party beat President Saakashvili's party. Finally today we look at a new bomb detecting gate coming to an airport near you very soon.

NEWZ031 That’s Not What I Paid For

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 15:10:34 +0000

This week we look at a recent arrest of a man named Basseley said to be connected to the infamous Mohammed-George film. Followed by a discussion of the delay in deployment of multinational force for Mali. Meanwhile on the main stage in NYC, the Israeli PM shows off a bomb diagram. In Portugal a recent court ruling sets a major precedent that file-sharing for personal use is not a crime. And what about local news habits and preferences? - We look at a recent PEW survey.

NEWZ030 Anonymous Al-Qaida Iran Experts

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 09:08:36 +0000

We start this week in newz with the aftermath of the video protests and some new related developments including the withholding of big money to Egypt. Hans Blix, respected expert best known from the Iraq sanctions days is making headlines with his criticism of the Iran-sanctions strategy. Suspicion as Shell and Gazprom cancel arctic drilling and exploration for 2012. USAID pulls out or gets kicked out of Russia. And around the world Chinese people are protesting Japan's purchasing of Senkaku islands. Finally we wrap it up with a big thanks as the crowdfunding goal for Egypt and Tunisia has been reached!

NEWZ029 React or Don’t React

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 06:49:38 +0000

This week the Boyz of Newz get into the infamous so-called film that has sparked violence in the Middle East. Then come the results of the latest elections in the Netherlands where the far-right in no longer trending. Looking east it looks like Bulgaria will not be building a new nuclear power plant, much to Russia's chagrin. We're excited about peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC which begin next month in Oslo. Speaking of excitement, after 35 years in space, Voyager 1 may soon leave our solar system. And finally, Mark unveils a kickstarter mission to do a podcast series with celebrated podcaster Christopher Lydon in Egypt and Tunisia this November.

NEWZ028 Drill Baby Drill

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 13:46:44 +0000

This week Tim is on the road with Indiana Jones so we start off with trouble in the amazon where conflicting reports say illegal miners have committed some terrible crimes. Over in Portugal another round of big austerity measures are announced including a proposal to shut down public broadcasting. The White House meanwhile has opened the door to drilling in the Arctic as the Democrat Party convention comes to a close. The World Bank has released a report on Morocco citing extreme unemployment among youth as the prelude to another arab spring revolt. Finally a disagreement between Wikipedia and Phillip Roth brings back the looming issue of an ongoing decline in editors and administrators for the book of knowledge. Mark has big news coming up, tease tease.

NEWZ027 Talking to a Chair

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:55:15 +0000

While the rest of the world is busy finding solutions for the big problems, an actor in America is talking to a chair and creating a new meme, therefore making it impossible to ignore for the Newz of the World team. In other newz, we discuss the death of Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi and the interesting project in Libya where former prison inmates become the guards of their old torturers. We look at a study that analyzes the shift in employment in the US and we review a less invasive method for retrieving oil that could replace the problematic fracking. Finally we discuss vegetables from space, freshly mutated by cosmic rays by beloved China. Bon appetite.

NEWZ026 Imitating the Dead

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 09:20:38 +0000

Today on the program we jump into Mexican health news as that nation's healthcare reform has been declared a success. Over in Burma the government has taken the healthy step of ending censorship of local media. In Russia, Pussy Riot was sentenced to 2 years, Kasporov may get 5, and zombies were arrested in Omsk. We help spread the word about Swedish hacker documentary Hackitat. Australia expands their contreversial welfare card program. And major Dutch pensions lose millions of dollars from having invested in facebook stocks.

NEWZ025 We Have Failed As A Nation

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:37:08 +0000

The program was almost back to normal, but then Mark messed up his audio settings and this week we get newz plus some shaky sound on his side. Despite these setbacks this week we start with Olympics talk. From there its bad news from Iran with the latest twin earthquakes. This month also marks the beginning of deep sea mining around the world, starting in Papua New Guinea. In the US one wealthy white guy has chosen another wealthy white guy as his Vice Presidential candidate. Commerzbank of Germany takes itself out of the food speculation game. Rival unions in South Africa continue their violent clashes while the mining sector is also in an odd state. Uruguay is set to become the first country to both produce and distribute marijuana legally. And to wrap it all up we discuss the call for more debate or disagreement on the program. Hooray!

NEWZ024 Soviet Space Graveyard

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 08:28:32 +0000

After taking their respective vacations the Newz of the World duo is back and this week we start with the latest defections and battles in Syria. Then we get into the shootings in the US over the past weeks. Drug dealers are re-appearing on the streets of the Netherlands while a UK bank is accused to laundering money together with Iran. Pussy Riot is on trial and up on Mars there's a new Rover in town and we're very curious about it.

NEWZ023 Not Remembered As A Visionary

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:26:56 +0000

As the high point of the summer draws near, Tim and Mark get into the restarting of a nuclear reactor in Japan. While Europe gets closer to a continent-wide patent system, down in Timbuktu an extremist militia has decided that ancient treasures must be destroyed. The CEO of Exxon pleads poverty. Same-sex marriage will be legalized in France next year. Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva appears in a documentary worth checking out. Peter Sunde appeals to the people and asks for a pardon.

NEWZ022 Bring Your Own Science

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:53:18 +0000

After a slightly larger interval we continue our newz discussion program with Tim still in Berlin and Mark having moved to Portugal to help out with things. Today we discuss Syria shooting down turkish planes, Paraguay toppling its president due to failure to maintain social harmony, Brazil's impressive track record with renewable energy, North Carolina going nuts and Egypt having a new president. We finish off by looking at a nice little project trying to help endangered languages.

NEWZ021 Chase a Banker

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:41:50 +0000

As more banks get bailed out and football madness rages across Europe, Tim and Mark are back to pick through the news of the week. We start with the massively under reported financial scandal involving Swiss financial firms in Portugal. Over in Pakistan negotiators have left the table as they can't seem to make an agreement on re-opening NATO supply routes to Afghanistan. Dilma is proud of the rainforest while Tim tries to find a country equal to the size of the amount of forest that has been lost. Are cooperatives the answer to the financial turmoil of our time? What about storify- is this tool useful for journalism in the future? Lots of questions to be answered, and of course we end it all by playing with a chart with odd colors and graphics.

NEWZ020 Extraordinary Rendition

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:35:26 +0000

This week's newz features Mark in a panic room somewhere in Amsterdam. We discuss Greece's inability to pay the power bill as well as Canada's torture policy. Officials in South Sudan have stolen $4bn this year according to the cowboy hatted president. Is IKEA cutting old growth wood in Russia? We round it all off with an American twitter survey fun and a review of the latest comment discussion.

NEWZ019 No More Love From Hitler

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:54:48 +0000

Another exciting week full of NEWZ has passed and it is your beloved newz team that again comes together to discuss, explain and complain about what the world has coming to. This week we take a look at most recent events in space exploration by commercial endeavors, discuss the latest development of the crisis in Syria, discuss penis paintings of South African prime ministers and talk about the EU pretending that white is black and natural gas is a "green". Finally we discuss the fact that Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf copyright is about to expire and what Germany does about that.

NEWZ018 The Intrepid Reporter

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:46:02 +0000

As Newz marches on, Tim and Mark suffer the effects of a heatwave and a hoarse throat. In other newz: The US Senate won't give Pakistan part of its $1 Billion. The perplexing math of the Lord's Resistance Army. A breakdown of the student protests in Quebec. Juan Cole's Egyptian election analysis. And a France update about presidents, partners, cyclists and journalists. We end by shamelessly plugging our recent talks at re:publica 12.

NEWZ017 It’s A Spire!

Tue, 15 May 2012 10:21:59 +0000

So it us again after Mark's trip to Berlin to see and speak at re:publica 12 we are finally where we belong: in front of our screen reading the Newz to you. Among those this week: the arrest of Sea Shepherd mastermind Captain Paul Watson in Germany; victims of NATO attacks on Libya speaking up; the Netherlands being the first to bring net neutrality to law in Europe; the arrest of one of the leaders of Joseph Kony's LRA. To sum it up we ramble a bit more about building sizes and measurement styles around the world.

NEWZ016 Royal Family of Fascism

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:35:27 +0000

It's our 1st of May Newz of the World so Tim and Mark are setting fire to the latest headlines and throwing around world events. We start with the re-awakening of the occupy movement that is being called for in 125 cities around the world. Over in France we are days away from the second round of presidential elections, which reminds us of LePen stories from previous French elections. Afghanistan and the US have signed an agreement for activities after 2014. As the first few episodes of Julian Assange's new show are out, we talk about the good, bad and the weird of this non-aligned style program. Lastly a listener suggestion regarding EU maritime regulation.

NEWZ015 We Could Really Use A Government Now

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:34:58 +0000

This week Charles Taylor goes down for aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone while back in Liberia a nation gets confirmation on what it already knew. Greg Palast has evidence that BP execs destroyed evidence showing they knew the Deepwater Horizon could blow. The ruling coalition of the Netherlands has fallen, now we can enjoy some temporary government action. Sending your data to the cloud? - Greenpeace has set their sites on data centers powered by dirty energy. Mark is pleased to see the One World Trade Center will become the tallest building in New York this coming week. Underwater cable-mania continues, we look at two new maps and why they are cool. Tim reveals his curiosity for the infamous Pitcairn Island, where the internet just got boosted up to 512kbps (actually in June officially).

NEWZ014 Mutually Assured Destruction

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 20:53:10 +0000

We keep coming back to certain topics but continually bring up new ones too but more than anything we appreciate alert listeners who not only find the errors but also report them. So we put in some feedback in as it allows us to talk more about North Korea, our most favorite dictatorship. Apart from that we ramble on about the UN and Syria on their never ending quest to find common ground and we report on India's successful embarking into the cold war of the 21st century. We take a closer look at recent and upcoming developments around Africa's Internet connectivity and recommend others join the debate around Cory Doctorow's comments on the "war on computing".

NEWZ013 Rockets and Pipelines

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:49:10 +0000

This week North Korea is back on the newz list as their rocket hits the sea and the boy-president makes his first speech. Then we go to US politics where Santorum has announced he's out of money so Romney can be the candidate for the Republican party. The big stories for this week come from Africa where along the border between Sudan and South Sudan, an oil dispute is raging. While in Malawi the continent's second-ever female president,Joyce Banda, was sworn in. Over in the west there is more bad news this week as Guinea-Bissau's executive branch has been arrested by a military coup. Back in Germany the pirate party is once again turning heads and making headlines, what will become of this rising star of party politics?

NEWZ012 Kissing International Ass

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:26:51 +0000

We kick off this week's newz with an attempt at understanding the different parties and elements involved in the recent coup in Mali. From there its back to Syria where the former UN Secretary General has struck a peace deal that has yet to be respected by either side. Meanwhile its a new day in Burma, thats what many are thinking as Aung San Suu Kyi's party makes significant gains in the recent election. Paypal rolls out another weapon in their arsenal of alternative financial tools, this time its about swiping. And to round out the week, the admittedly pathetic but mildly amusing Consumerist award for worst American company.

NEWZ011 May Contain Traces of Ethics

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:05:38 +0000

This week Tim and Mark poke around the internet to try and understand what is happening with religion and Cuba following the Pope's visit. While back in Europa, Lithuania has made a new deal with a Hitachi to build a "next generation" nuclear plant - oddly inspiring an idea to visit Stendal. The Chinese company ZTE recently made big sale to Iran for some internet surveillance equipment, as we look at some other names that have sold or almost sold similar items to the Ayatollahs. A new documentary about Occupy has been released on Al Jazeera, one year since this global phenomenon, we reflect on the images and actions, as well as the possible legacy. Following up on last week's Foxconn-Mike Daisy debacle, the second most powerful Tim in the world is visiting the production facilities, while we share some slightly more informed opinions one week later. In a related story we get an update about the FairPhone project, to hear what the latest is from the quest to build more ethical mobile devices. Note: Tims audio track contains some annoying clicks we couldn't get rid of during editing. We apologize for the inconveniences.

NEWZ010 Ding Dong The Pope Is Dead

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:09:57 +0000

To kick off another hair-raising week of news we start off with Mark reporting this week from Tbilisi, Georgia about what the latest newz is from the old republic. In the latest dispatches from North Korea, nuclear inspectors are invited to visit, but the young leader also plans to launch a satellite to celebrate his father. The Australian government, meanwhile, makes a bold move introducing a big new tax on all mining companies. Mike Daisy might have a sweet boy's name, but this week we learned his apple story was not big in terms of truthiness. Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Christian Church died this week. An interesting man, with an impressive life, and fantastic headgear. In keeping with our commitment to newz updates, we also bring you an update on MegaKim, as well as uncle Kony and the 2012 campaign.

NEWZ009 Pirates!!!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:26:07 +0000

Kony Kony Kony, its the name that is all over the social media world, including Newz of the World! But what happens when the online campaign world goes head to head with the world of warlords? One year after the Fukushima disaster, 52 out of 54 Japanese nuclear power plants have been deactivated. How does a country with an immense need for power go from 1/3 nuclear to almost no nuclear in one year? Far-right Dutch political icon and MP Geert Wilders is encouraging people to report their East European neighbors via a website. How does Europe react to having groups of its citizens being targeted as potential criminals? In what continues to be a worrying situation, journalist and author Michael S. Moore has been in captivity in Somalia for over a month now. What are the options when a friend or a colleague gets kidnapped by pirates or criminals of the most notorious kind?

NEWZ008 Ayatollah Rock ’n’ Roll

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:34:56 +0000

Young Kim Jung-un probably doesn't like his haircut, but thankfully that didn't stop North Korea from agreeing to a new food for no-nucs deal with the US. While the largest Union in the UK is threatening massive strikes during the summer Olympics this year. We're less than 24 hours from the Iranian parliamentary election where the opposition is in jail and it has become a question of who's the coolest conservative in town. Then comes the case of LinkedIn and the legal issues the service has brought to current and former employees who are legally obligated to not keep their clients/contacts. And finally we get back into some Koran burning and whats going on behind the scenes in Afghanistan. All this and possibly more on this fresh edition of Newz of the World!

NEWZ007 Super Size My Lab Meat

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:03:47 +0000

This week on Newz of the World we start off with election news and make our way to porn. First on the list is Yemen, as presidential elections have been announced but unfortunately there is only one candidate. In Pakistan meanwhile, a new law declares domestic violence a crime punishable by jail time or a fine. Previously if a husband beat a wife there was no legal basis for the police to take action. Animal lovers may rejoice at the news that the first successful lab grown meat was announced this week. Paving the way for the inevitable animal-free burger Tim is not looking forward to eating. Always ahead of the curve in the world of technology, a recent report looks at how a growing number of woman are now in charge of some of the major internet porn companies. Finally this week we bring you another edition of Notes from America, where bridges, roads, tunnels and power systems seem to be crumbling and few people seem to notice. Will 2012 be the year of another bridge collapse? We hope not, which is why we talk about it all in this edition of Newz of the World!

NEWZ006 I Wanna Read the Newz with Somebody

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:02:37 +0000

As Mark is still on a trip through the US our schedule is a bit rocky but we've again managed to put together a show that takes a look at what's going on in the world. First we look at Greece that has passed the austerity plan that was forced on them by the EU while facing strong opposition on the streets by the people. Canada is about to launch a new data retention law and continues to baffle the world as the country still ranks high in perceived mental sanity but seems to be doing anything to combat this impression. Then we look at the USA, where Sarah Palin gets mic checked and the Americans seem to think they are facing a war with Iran less than 10 years after being duped into a war in Iraq. Looking into the future we report on ESA's successful launch of the new Vega space rocket and discuss the current situation of (inter-)national space programs.

NEWZ005 Halftime in America

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:45:36 +0000

As Clint Eastwood and President Obama announced this week, it's halftime in America. Fortunately, Tim and Mark are here to report on the second half, this week bringing you a transatlantic newz podcast. We start the rundown with Syria, where this week over 200 people were killed by government forces, part of the ongoing repression of those demanding the president resign. And while people are killed in the streets of Homs, we look at what role Russia plays when it comes to the international response. While back in Moscow the big story continues to be tens of thousands of protestors out in force against Putin and election fraud, demanding change. Then comes the story of the American Auto Industry which is the subject of a surprising amount of ads, political speeches and one very ominous Clint Eastwood Chrysler Commercial. Someone got punched in the face, and we're getting to the bottom of it here on Newz of the World!

NEWZ004 Frickin Dem0krazy

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:49:50 +0000

One year after the massive demonstrations that toppled a dictator and changed a nation, Tim and Mark are back to examine the media and read the fine print. Europe's own SOPA, known as ACTA, is the new target of frustrated netizens. Meanwhile the FBI is looking for someone to build them a social media monitoring application. And while the authorities try to track our interactions, Reporters Without Borders has been tracking the world's press, as they announced the good news and the bad news via their Press Freedom Index for the past year. From revolutions to censored tweets - whatever happens, the events of the past week will surely be written about in the history books; digital history textbooks that is. A beautiful future for the students of tomorrow? Newz of the World investigates.

NEWZ003 Delegado Zero

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:23:43 +0000

Not since the royal wedding have so many people been talking about PIPA. This week saw the massive international outcry over the proposed anti-piracy bill before the US congress. We also also watched a ship captain sail his way into a massive humanitarian and ecological fail. In Central America its a case of military power gone wild, while in Budapest the conservative government is carrying out its own constitutional obscenity. Just when you thought matters couldn't get any worse, Doctors Without Borders is abandoning ship in Somalia! What does it all mean? - Newz of the World will throw you a media-life preserver.

NEWZ002 Military Evacuation

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:25:24 +0000

After a week of surprising and some less than impressive developments around the world, Tim and Mark are back to dissect some of the stuff spit out by the news machine. Over in Afghanistan, the US military has a new Abu Ghraib embarrassment on their hands, with a new video of Marines urinating on dead bodies making headlines. Meanwhile another government on the other side of the world is engaging in some shocking behavior, the Canadian Federal Government is now arguing that thousands of same-sex marriages carried out since 2004 are actually illegal. Then comes the filtering, as the Dutch government tells ISP's to block The Pirate Bay, the Chilean government seems to have created a new filter for history books. What will become of the Pirate Bay and what's the difference between uncle Pinochet's dictatorship and his regime? All this and you never know what else, on this latest rundown by Newz of the World.

NEWZ001 Mic Check

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:31:32 +0000

The beginning of every new year brings reflection about the recent past and the typical desire to push forward with something new and exciting. It should therefore be no surprise that it is on this occasion, at this pivotal juncture in the history of the world, that we personal media creators and observers of all things life- should join forces and produce a new program focusing on events unfolding throughout the globe. Newz of the World, a curious and critical look at the information we have about the world around us. In this inaugural episode your hosts, Tim Pritlove and Mark Fonseca Rendeiro, introduce the previously mentioned concept and aim of this program. We then look back at 2011 and the news stories that captured a great deal of attention and in many ways can be tied together using common threads such as: global protest, arab spring, occupy, the financial crisis, the fukushima nuclear disaster, the growing DIY movement, and innovative efforts to design a better future. A mix of news review, personal reflection, and teaching ourselves along the way - we're kicking off this new endeavor under the title that took on new meaning in 2011 - MIC CHECK!!