After months of conflicting signals on its nuclear intentions, Iran formally moved forward today on a significant change in its uranium enrichment program. Patrick Clawson, deputy director for research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, joins Daljit Dhaliwal to discuss the issue. Worldfocus partner Deutsche Welle reports on the controversy.
Middle East
Iran moves steadily closer to nuclear power goals
Examining the motives behind traditional honor killings
In Turkey, there is an average of about one honor killing per week. To understand more about this troubling issue, Daljit Dhaliwal speaks with Gönül Tol, director of the Center for Turkish Studies at the Middle East Institute, about what she says is a growing trend in Turkey.
Turkish women fight against honor killings
Gizem Yarbil is an associate producer at Worldfocus who grew up in Turkey. She argues that Turkish immigrants may cling even more strongly to their customs-- including honor killings-- when faced with the difficulties of life in the West.
U.S. Congress bill threatens to crackdown on terror TV
Cari Machet, who has worked as a multimedia producer throughout the Middle East, writes about a new House bill that could sanction satellite operators if they contract their services to TV stations classified as terrorist entities by Congress. She argues it may prove to be a counterproductive crackdown on Arab press freedom.
Southern Eurozone countries risk defaulting on debt
Today there was another reminder of just how fragile the world economy remains. The budget deficits of Greece, Portugal and Spain -- nations that use the Euro -- exceed 8 percent of GDP and could impact the economic fortunes of countries far from Southern Europe. These governments risk defaulting on their debts by failing to control spending.
Smoking rates remain stubbornly high around the globe
According to the World Health Organization, while cigarette consumption is declining in some countries, the number of smokers worldwide is on the upswing. Those smokers also consume more cigarettes than ever. Explore our maps of smoking rates around the globe.
Court opens door to new charges against Bashir
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has traveled freely for months, despite the existence of an international warrant for his arrest from the International Criminal Court. Today an ICC ruling raised the possibility that genocide could be added to the charges against Bashir, reports Deutsche Welle.
Ahmadinejad’s compromise offer met with skepticism
Iran this week offered to accept a deal that would swap enriched uranium for nuclear fuel -- and launched yet another rocket into space. Daljit Dhaliwal speaks to Geneive Abdo of the Century Foundation for more about the implications of President Ahmadinejad's latest actions and the challenges faced by the U.S. as in refining its policy toward Iran.
Iranian leader declares readiness to honor nuclear deal
Iran's nuclear ambitions are again taking center stage. In a TV interview, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country is ready to honor a deal to curb its nuclear program. The agreement would require Iran to send uranium abroad to be processed for civilian use. But several countries involved in negotiations are skeptical. Nazanine Moshiri of Al Jazeera English has more.
Morocco shuts down magazine that criticized government
Aida Alami is a Moroccan freelance journalist who wrote for Le Journal Hebdomadaire until the magazine was shut down by the government last week. Worldfocus interviewed her about why the Moroccan government closed one of the country's most independent news outlets.