World Tour: Myanmar’s deadly earthquake

LINDSAY MAST, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: WORLD Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Oduah.

AUDIO: [Islamic prayer]

ONIZE ODUAH: A somber end to the Islamic Ramadan season in Myanmar, also known as Burma, after last week’s deadly earthquake.

The 7.7-magnitude quake centered mostly across the middle of the military-led country and has killed more than 2,700 people. At least 20 also died in neighboring Thailand.

The earthquake struck during the regular Friday Islamic prayers. Authorities said some 700 people died when mosques collapsed.

Sandar Aung lost her son. She ran to the mosque after the quake to look for him … but her husband later found him.

SANDAR AUNG: [BURMESE] There were so many patients at the hospital. They tried their best, but he passed away at night around 7:00 pm.

She says the doctors tried their best, but her son passed away that evening.

In the city of Mandalay, some 270 Buddhist monks were taking a religious exam when their building crumpled.

Authorities expect the toll to rise, since many areas still lack necessary rescue equipment and access.

AUDIO: [Government session]

Syria transitional government — Over in Syria, a transitional government assumed office over the weekend.

The swearing-in ceremony comes nearly four months after the ouster of longtime leader Bashar Assad and replaces the caretaker government led by Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

AHMAD AL-SHARAA [ARABIC]: This moment, in which we announce the formation of the first government, is a declaration of our shared will to build a new, strong, and stable state, one that places the interests of the nation and its citizens at the forefront of its priorities and works to restore life to every corner of our beloved country.

He says the leaders are committed to building a new, stable nation that prioritizes the people.

The 23-member Cabinet includes Sharaa’s close associates and some minority representation, like veteran Assad critic Hind Kabawat: a Christian minority and the new government’s first female appointment. Three other ministers also came from the Druze, Kurdish, and Alawite minority groups.

Clashes in Syria’s coastal region last month left more than 1,000 people dead. The violence targeted mostly Alawites and also included Christian victims.

AUDIO: [Protest]

Argentina protest — In Argentina, thousands of people crowded the streets of the capital, Buenos Aires on Saturday to protest elective abortions.

Demonstrators called on the government to abolish a 2021 law that allows abortions up to 14 weeks and later in some cases of sexual assault or when the mother’s life is at risk.

Amparo Medina leads a pro-life foundation in Ecuador.

AMPARO MEDINA: [SPANISH] Latin American children have the right to live, and women who are currently going through difficult times need help, not abortion. And we demand that President Milei keep his word. We are here to support him.

She says Latin American children have the right to live, while women in difficult situations need more help and not abortions.

Argentine President Javier Milei had pledged to review the legislation during his campaign before assuming office in 2023. But he has yet to act on it.

AUDIO: [Singing]

Bosnian pilgrim — We end today in the Balkan nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, where one pilgrim is praying across 620 miles for peace between the country’s three major communities.

The Bosnian War began in 1992 and lasted three years, leaving behind ethnically-fueled rifts among the Muslims, Orthodox Serbs, and Catholic Croats.

32-year-old Josip Jelinic hoists a nearly 18-pound cross on his shoulder as he walks across different towns and war memorials, praying for reconciliation.

His efforts have drawn reactions from locals, with some stopping to offer a hug or invite him into their home for a meal.

Jelinic says many families are still hurt by the effects of the war.

JOSIP JELINIC: [CROATIAN] I hope that these people will forgive their enemies and that peace will return to their hearts. Because unforgiveness is a poison that devours human beings.

He says he hopes they will forgive their enemies, and he called unforgiveness a poison that devours people.

Some Bosnian Serb leaders are increasing calls for secession. In February, the region passed a set of laws that bar the state judiciary and police from operating there.

Jelinic will end his pilgrimage on April 18th—Good Friday, two days before Easter Sunday.

That’s it for this week’s World Tour. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Onize Oduah in Abuja, Nigeria.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.