WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

Friday News Roundup - International

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:14:05 -0400

The brutal killing of a British soldier in London raises terror alarms. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Israelis and Palestinians. And the White House acknowledges drone strikes have killed four Americans overseas since 2009. A panel of journalists joins guest host Katty Kay for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

Friday News Roundup - Domestic

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:04:17 -0400

President Barack Obama says he wants to end the war on terror. In a major policy speech, he announced steps to narrow the scope of the U.S. drone program and reinforced his vow to close Guantanamo. The president plans a visit to inspect tornado damage in Oklahoma. Another IRS official is on the way out after refusing to testify about the agency's admitted targeting of conservative groups. Apple's CEO and lawmakers square off over taxes. An immigration reform bill moves to the Senate floor for debate. And the FBI shoots a man questioned in the Boston bombings. A panel of journalists joins guest host Katty Kay for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Khaled Hosseini: "And The Mountains Echoed"

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:43:19 -0400

The best-selling author of the novels "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" introduced millions of readers to Afghanistan. Khaled Hosseini's new book begins in Afghanistan, but then branches out as it follows characters from Kabul to Paris and California - reflecting the author's personal journey. Born in Kabul, Hosseini spent part of his childhood in Paris as the son of a diplomat. But his family was forced to stay in France after the 1978 coup. Later, they were granted political asylum in California, where Hosseini became a doctor, started writing fiction, and still lives today.

Prospects For Immigration Reform Legislation

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:33:24 -0400

Three Republicans joined ten Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee to pass broad immigration reform legislation. Next it goes to full Senate. The bill would bring the biggest changes in US immigration policy in years:There's a thirteen year path to citizenship for immigrants here illegally, plus more border security and new rules for both high and low skilled workers seeking jobs in this country. Critics of the bill say it gives illegal immigrants an unfair advantage over those who have played by the rules. They also say the changes will mean fewer jobs for American citizens. Please join us to discuss prospects for immigration reform.

Charles Moore: "Margaret Thatcher"

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:31:07 -0400

Charles Moore, the author of Margaret Thatcher's authorized biography, joins us to discuss his new book.

The Role Of The Federal Government In Disaster Relief

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:27:42 -0400

Following the devastating tornado in Oklahoma, the federal government is stepping in. A look at disaster assistance and the politics of relief.

Olympia Snowe: "Fighting For Common Ground: How We Can Fix The Stalemate In Congress"

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:17:34 -0400

For the last few years, Congress's approval ratings have been dismal. A Gallup poll last month showed only 15 percent of Americans approve of how Congress is doing its job. Seventy-nine percent disapprove. Olympia Snowe is fed up with Congress, too. After 18 years in the U.S. Senate, the Maine Republican called it quits. When she announced she would not seek re-election in 2012, she cited increasingly partisan politics as a major factor. In her new political memoir, she tells how she went from being an orphan at age 9 to a GOP lawmaker known for reaching across the aisle. Her take on what's wrong with Congress and how to fix it.

The Intersection Of Political Influence And Journalism

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:13:24 -0400

In recent years, federal funding for public broadcasting has fallen to record lows. Many broadcasters have turned to wealthy donors to fill the gap. In 2006, billionaire industrialist David Koch joined the board of WNET, New York's PBS affiliate. Last fall, the station aired a documentary titled, "Park Avenue: Money, Power and the American Dream," which contrasted ultra-rich residents of the Upper East Side with their Bronx counterparts. In an article for The New Yorker magazine out this week, investigative journalist Jane Mayer chronicles the fate of that movie and another documentary produced for PBS. Diane talks with Mayer about the questions her article raises about the influence of big money on public media outlets.

Jessica Buchanan & Erik Landemalm: "Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping Of Jessica Buchanan...

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:53:22 -0400

The rescue of an American aid worker kidnapped in Somalia. The story of her ordeal and why she intends to return to Africa.

Debate Over Ending Lifetime Alimony

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:43:20 -0400

Lifetime alimony payments may soon be a relic of the past. A growing number of states are considering laws that would generally end permanent spousal support. Instead, they would create formulas to determine the amount and duration of awards. Some proponents of alimony-law reform are seeking to make the elimination of permanent alimony retroactive. The proposals have triggered heated debate: payers who criticize what they call unjust and outdated awards are pitted against family law attorneys who say the measures are punitive to women. One twist: an increasing number of those seeking reform are women who out-earn their ex-husbands. Diane and her guests discuss the future of alimony.