Global Scan
PRI.org has a daily roundup and email newsletter that helps you find interesting perspectives on what's going on around the world. Sign up for a PRI.org account and subscribe to our newsletter to get it delivered to your inbox.
Global Scan
PRI's The World
August 24, 2015
From newlyweds who spent their honeymoon providing food for refugees in Calais, to what Jimmy Carter really wants to be known for, and how David Foster Wallace is remembered by his little sister. Thoughtful stories for the week ahead.
Global Scan
January 28, 2015
One day, Dean Parker was watching the news on TV. The next he was packing up body armor and preparing to fight with Kurdish forces against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria. Now he's looking for a flight home — and knows he has some explaining to do to the FBI and Homeland Security.
Global Scan
December 08, 2014
When British royalty comes to the US, Americans go a little nuts. But this trip by Prince William has the Brits scratching their heads. Meanwhile, at least one British parliamentarian is looking to the US for ideas on how to deal with anti-abortion protesters. And the Chinese government is hunting for a corrupt Chinese official who was obsessed with gold.
Global Scan
December 06, 2014
Nights during a blackout in a big city offer a scary vision to some. But this new video shows how London's architecture would be set off by the night sky, if city lights weren't obscuring the view. Meanwhile, across the Channel, France has decided to pay foreign victims sent to Nazi camps in French trains. And China asks for US help to crack down on corrupt fugitives, in this weekend's Global Scan.
Global Scan
December 04, 2014
More than five dozen Russian athletes are currently suspended from competition for using performance-enhancing drugs — and that may be the tip of the iceberg. Meanwhile in Canada, bear attacks may be on the rise due to climate change. And Americans are questioning the grand jury system that they inherited from England, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
December 03, 2014
Ever since NASA mothballed the Space Shuttle, it hasn't flown a spaceship. That will change on Thursday morning, when it test-launches the Orion space capsule, which is designed for possible Mars travel . Meanwhile, South Korea intends to rankle North Korea with another large Christmas tree in the DMZ. And a new ranking of government corruption gives the US middling marks.
Global Scan
December 02, 2014
More than a million Syrian refugees could face hunger and death in the near future because the UN is running critically short of funds to provide food relief. And today is Giving Tuesday around the globe —have you donated to a non-profit yet? And Iranian cyber-attackers have infiltrated dozens of Western businesses in 16 countries. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
December 01, 2014
For Indian women without a father in the picture, planning their wedding can be hard, and financially impossible. But a wealthy diamond tycoon is stepping in and helping out. Meanwhile, Saint Hoax has new protest images and an Australian journalist finds a way to clamp down on hateful comments from teenage boys.
Global Scan
November 26, 2014
Air conditioning is responsible for some 15 percent of building energy use. What if that could be eliminated completely — using mirrors? Scientists at Stanford University think they may have found a way. That story and more in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
November 25, 2014
China is the world's largest tobacco market — and that's partially because it's so cheap and easy to get. But now the country's government is looking to ratchet up the restrictions. That story and more in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
August 19, 2014
Updated
08/19/2014 - 9:00am
As the debate over gun control — and, now, the use of force by police — rages in the US and elsewhere, Britain offers a stark contrast. Police there rarely carry guns, fire them or kill anyone. Meanwhile, Beijing is getting machines that inspire people to both recycle and ride public transit. And Ebola is killing Liberians who don't even have the disease, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
August 20, 2014
Monuments showing heroic Soviet soldiers dot many of the former USSR satellite countries. And since the end of the Cold War, they have been refashioned by activists into political statements, infuriating Russian officials. In Africa, social media networks have been spreading a folk 'cure' for Ebola. And the Israeli government has kept independent human rights investigators out of Gaza. That and more, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
October 08, 2014
Ugandan men are apparently loathe to use condoms because the international issue, one-size-fits-all version isn't big enough for them. And while that might seem like bragging or an excuse, Uganda is seeing AIDs infection rates, once tamed, on the rise again. Meanwhile, a court in New York is considering whether chimps should have some "human rights." And eating healthy really does cost more. All that, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
September 23, 2014
It is the largest ancient burial site in Greece and, just a month after its announcement, it has brought new life to two small villages 60 miles east of Thessaloniki. But who was important enough to be buried there? Meanwhile in India, when some families are planning a wedding, the first to-do is to hire a marriage detective. And Russian President Putin decides to intervene in a children's show, all in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
August 20, 2014
The Mayan civilization thrived more than a thousand years ago. Many of its cities simply disappeared as jungle overtook them. One of them was found decades ago and then lost again, until now. We also report on why women may be bearing the brunt of Ebola's attack in West Africa, and how Syrian cyber-warriors are using viral clickbait to trap enemies of the Syrian regime. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
April 07, 2014
How do you let drone pilots dropping bombs by remote control know the consequences of their actions? Some Afghan artists are using a giant photo. And a journalist now claims the US didn't attack Syria's government after evidence of chemical warfare emerged because it may not have been Assad's fault. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
March 17, 2014
Updated
03/18/2014 - 3:30pm
California is a bellwether for the US and is about to become the second state with an Hispanic majority, joining New Mexico. But its politics will change more slowly. We look at a 20-cent ointment that can save an estimated half million babies. And in the UK, we see just how rich the very rich can be. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
July 08, 2014
Updated
07/08/2014 - 1:15pm
The drama has been intense on the field during the World Cup... and then there have been the games. The Wall Street Journal tallied up the theatrical moments of feigned injuries — and Brazil is the clear winner. At least in Brazil, women can attend the matches. Not so in Iran. And the US warns travelers away from visiting much of Africa, all in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
October 24, 2014
Canadians gathered along an Ontario highway Friday to say goodbye to the reservist who was shot and killed while standing guard at the country's War Memorial. That story and more in today's Global Scan.
Global Scan
May 09, 2014
Have you ever wanted to go to China, by train? Obviously that's not at all possible today, but what if you could in the future? And take the trip in two days — about the time it takes Amtrak to go from Chicago to Los Angeles. That story tops today's Global Scan.
NSIDCimages__SPclouds.2158.jpg
Global Scan
Antarctica is sending the equivalent of 9.8 quadrillion ice cubes into the oceans each year
May 19, 2014
The melting of the Antarctic ice sheet is happening far faster than anyone previously thought. New research suggests Antarctica is releasing enough ice each year to make 9.8 quadrillion one-inch ice cubs — and that's contributing to a major increase in sea levels. Meanwhile, the violence in Nigeria is getting worse and French Catholic leaders are looking for donors. That and more in today's Global Scan.
india-gang-rape.jpg
Global Scan
Another gang rape in India, with a complex twist
January 24, 2014
A woman was sentenced by elders to a public gang rape in her village in the West Bengal area to punish her for an affair. India's Supreme Court is investigating. A signal room in London's Underground gets flooded, with quick-drying cement. And an artist is painting and placing cut-outs of immigrant workers around LA. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
jr_kpk_full.jpg
Global Scan
This is a message for US drone pilots: we are not bugs
April 07, 2014
How do you let drone pilots dropping bombs by remote control know the consequences of their actions? Some Afghan artists are using a giant photo. And a journalist now claims the US didn't attack Syria's government after evidence of chemical warfare emerged because it may not have been Assad's fault. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
RTX147AH.jpg
Global Scan
Vladimir Putin would like you to know he too opposes fracking
June 19, 2014
Imagine the foes of fracking and you'd probably put Greenpeace at the top of the list. But add Vladimir Putin too — someone who rarely sees eye-to-eye with the environmentalists. But he has his own reasons, not tied to saving the Earth. Meanwhile, there's tension over US military actions in Iraq. Those stories and more in today's Global Scan.
Mt._Everest_from_Gokyo_Ri_November_5%2C_2012_Cropped.jpg
Global Scan
Please note, you have not 'conquered' Everest — if you used a helicopter to do it
May 28, 2014
Expeditions to climb Mount Everest were put on hold this year, after an accident killed 16 Sherpas. But a Chinese woman reached the summit, and officials suspect she may have inappropriately used a helicopter. Meanwhile, in China, officials are using public trials to send a message to Uighur separatists, and Norway's touted prostitution reform is under attack. All that in today's Global Scan.
Magic mushrooms.jpg
Global Scan
'Magic' mushrooms to treat depression? Some researchers think so
November 11, 2014
Hallucinogenic mushrooms are one potential treatment for depression. Another is hip hop music — it seems the dark lyrics might reach those who feel equally hopeless. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to the rescue of China's first lady and his gallant act gets erased by Chinese censors. And in Pakistan, a group of schools hold an "I am not Malala" Day. All that and more in today's Global Scan.
RTR3WAWZ.jpg
Global Scan
Brazil wins the title for most faked injuries in the World Cup
July 08, 2014
Updated
The drama has been intense on the field during the World Cup... and then there have been the games. The Wall Street Journal tallied up the theatrical moments of feigned injuries — and Brazil is the clear winner. At least in Brazil, women can attend the matches. Not so in Iran. And the US warns travelers away from visiting much of Africa, all in today's Global Scan.
251013-Steve-Bell-Angela--002.jpg
Global Scan
America may find itself without a friend in the world
October 25, 2013
Our knowledge of the reaches of the NSA spying program keeps getting greater and greater — perhaps to the detriment of our foreign policy. Meanwhile, UK police say they've found a gun created by a 3D printer, but have they? Today's Global Scan.
broelman-dec-11.jpg
Global Scan
Mandela brings people together, even in death
December 10, 2013
World leaders and regular people gathered Tuesday in South Africa to honor Nelson Mandela — a man who was labelled a terrorist by the US until 8 years ago, a friend of China and Cuba, and now a symbol of hope and reconciliation for millions. We also look at Saudi Arabia's interest in its own human genome project, one of the most extreme zipline rides in the world, and a video game where the villian is alcoholism. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.
ukraine-pic.jpg
Global Scan
Ukraine waits in suspense, and China blocks embarrassing details of secret bank accounts
January 23, 2014
Ukraine's protesters suspend clashes to negotiate with President Viktor Yanukovich, while China's leadership scrambles to block the web and keep their secret offshore bank accounts from being revealed to Chinese citizens. Curling gets fancy at the Sochi Olympics and South Korea welcomes Canadian hockey players in its bid to qualify for the next Winter Olympics. All that and more, in today's Global Scan.