The World Cup and the Primary Elections
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Starting on Friday, almost a billion soccer fans will be watching the World Cup for the next month. We look at South Africa's preparations for a sporting event with worldwide cultural impact. Also, the UN passes its fourth resolution against Iran's nuclear program, and the results of yesterday's primary elections in 11 states.
Banner image: Local children play football in the Khayelitsha Township on June 9, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Making News
Security Council Passes New Round of Sanctions against Iran ()
The UN Security Council today passed its fourth resolution against Iran’s nuclear development program as demanded by the United States. President Obama said the sanctions are the most comprehensive Iran has ever faced. The vote was 12 to two with Brazil and Turkey voting no, Lebanon abstaining and both China and Russia voting with the majority. Veteran UN reporter Evelyn Leopold now writes for the Huffington Post.
Guests:
- Evelyn Leopold: Contributor, Huffington Post
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Main Topic
Dissecting the Primary Elections ()
Democrat Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Republican Bob Bennett of Utah both lost their re-nomination bids in party primaries this year. Democrat Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas was forced into a runoff, held yesterday. Despite predictions that angry liberals would give her the boot, she won. Did angry voters take it out on incumbents? Did Sarah Palin make any difference? Did the Tea Party do well anywhere outside Nevada? Will this be the year of the woman, especially in California?
Guests:
- Max Brantley: Political Writer, Arkansas Times
- Ezra Klein: Staff Writer, Washington Post, @ezraklein
- Jay Newton-Small: Political Reporter, Time magazine
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Reporter's Notebook
World Cup Preparations in South Africa ()
The World Cup has been held every four years since 1930, with two exceptions during World War II. The first was in Montevideo, Uruguay, and this is the first on the continent of Africa. South Africa, where soccer is the sport of the black majority, has spent almost $4 billion on preparations. But, in a country of widespread deprivation, there’s some resentment over the billions spent to build facilities that could become white elephants. Other than South Africans, Americans have bought more tickets than anyone else. How will the US team do in Saturday’s big test against England?
Guests:
- Scott Baldauf: Africa Bureau Chief, Christian Science Monitor
- Steven Goff: Soccer Writer, Washington Post
- Barry Glendenning: Reporter, Guardian, @bglendenning
- John Nauright: Director, George Mason University's Academy of International Sport
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