A mural depicts American hostages and wrongful detainees being held abroad, July 20, 2022, in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. At left is Siamak Namazi, who has been in captivity in Iran since 2015.

US and Iran exchange prisoners for unfrozen assets

Full Episode

A mural depicts American hostages and wrongful detainees being held abroad, July 20, 2022, in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. At left is Siamak Namazi, who has been in captivity in Iran since 2015.

Patrick Semansky/AP/File photo

The US and Iran have reached a deal that will see the release of Iranian American prisoners held in Iran in exchange for Tehran gaining access to its frozen assets. Also, authorities in Ecuador have arrested six Colombian suspects in connection to the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. We look at the possible role of organized crime in the shooting. And, to celebrate hip-hop turning 50, we look at women who are rocking the mic across the globe. Plus, the mystique around North Korea, the so-called “Hermit Kingdom,” has allowed officials to profit through restaurants across Southeast Asia, where customers can try the cuisine and watch North Korean waitresses sing and even dance. But now, many of them are closing down.

In This Episode

US reaches deal with Iran to release Iranian American prisoners
3 years after Beirut blast, no one has been held accountable
All 6 suspects arrested in Ecuador presidential candidate assassination from Colombia
Stories From The Stage: Sudanese refugee talks of lesson in kindness
Black woman performing on stage in white dress
Women rap artists a driving force as hip-hop turns 50
Special Coverage
Antakya’s Uzun Çarşı, a historic covered bazaar, was partially destroyed during the Feb. 6 earthquakes. Workers have cleared much of the debris from walkways and shopkeepers have reopened, sometimes directly across from piles of rubble.
In Turkey’s hardest-hit province, earthquake survivors adapt to a life without buildings
Special Coverage
North Korea’s overseas restaurants are fading away
Perseid meteor shower is back and better than ever