Latest Content

Graffiti warning on a brick wall saying that the street is mined with the shadow of a person reflected on it.
August 14, 2018

A family separated, the Iraqi spy who infiltrated ISIS, and don't toss out that coffee cup

The Iraqi spy who infiltrated ISIS — Capt. Harith al-Sudani, a member of an Iraqi counterterrorism unit — spent months posing as an ISIS militant. The New York Times Baghdad bureau chief Margaret Coker tells host Carol Hills about Sudani and the intelligence unit he worked for. Also, we learn about the US government's history of separating children from their parents. Plus, what does a German biergarten have to do with recycling coffee cups?

A man leans on the counter to change money at a currency exchange office in Istanbul, Turkey August 13, 2018.
August 13, 2018

Turkey makes accusations about US, better to-go cups, the death penalty in Myanmar

There are a lot of ups and downs in the US-Iran relationship. Host Carol Hills speaks with reporter Thomas Erdbrink about what it's like to live in Tehran as one of just a few Western reporters left in the city. And, the latest on rising tensions between the US and Turkey. Plus, we learn about the life of Louisa Adams, the wife of President John Quincy Adams.

CIA Director Gina Haspel, wearing dark rimmed glasses, looks right in the medium cropped portrait.
August 10, 2018

CIA director authorized torture, Braille in the age of the internet, music in 1968

Newly declassified CIA memos written by current CIA director Gina Haspel reveal torture techniques at a secret US prison in Thailand. Also, the mother of Osama Bin Laden speaks out. And a look back at the songs that topped the charts during the first week of August around the world and through the decades.

August 09, 2018

Beat-the-heat, ice cream in Cuba, speaking Basque

It's been a long, hot summer with near record temperatures around the world. In Berlin, some are finding relief by going underground into old World War II bunkers. Plus, how ice cream in Cuba reveals the growing divide between rich and poor. Also, how the Basque language survived.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is shown in a black, zip-up shirt with several people behind him in Dallas, Texas, 2013.
August 08, 2018

Conspiracy theories across borders, third-culture kids, cannabis drinks in Canada

What is the appeal of conspiracy theories around the world? We compare Russia's fascination with such theories to that of the US. Also, the decision to keep or remove conspiracy theories on the internet differs from country to country. And, the challenges of language when you're a "third-culture kid."

A woman in a white hat takes a selfie at a sunflower field north of Bangkok, Thailand.
August 07, 2018

Canada and Saudia Arabia feud, the word 'hen,' sunflower selfies

A public spat between Canada and Saudi Arabia gets out of hand on social media. Also, one Mexican restaurant is offering relief for firefighters in northern California. And, the word "hen" has new meaning for a gender-neutral pronoun.

Wind-driven flames roll over a forested hill toward homes during near Lakeport, California, August 2, 2018.
August 06, 2018

Questions over alleged assassination attempt in Venezuela, the letter X, help for California firefighters

Monday marks the 73rd anniversary since the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. We meet one of the survivors who dedicated his life to finding the truth about the number of people who died in the bombing. Also, was it a coup plot behind an attempted assassination of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro? And, we learn about the letter X. It's all part of a week-long series on language and social change.

August 03, 2018

Not enemies of the people, Toastmasters Ramallah and drought during the Maya collapse

The UN warns that President Donald Trump's attacks on the media may trigger violence against journalists in the US. Also, climate scientists in Iceland venture out into some of the worst weather you can imagine, to learn more about a key part of our planet's climate system. Plus, we learn about "entre chien et loup," a unique French expression for "dusk."

A US Marine is shown from behind standing at attention in full uniform as caskets containing the remains of American servicemen from the Korean War.
August 02, 2018

Threats to the midterms, identifying remains from North Korea, Google and China

Leaders in the US intelligence community say Russia is still trying to interfere in American elections. Also, the long process of identifying the remains of American service members lost during the Korean War. Plus, Google is making moves to re-enter the Chinese market.

Cody Wilson shows off his 3D-printed handgun at his home in Austin, TX, 2013.
August 01, 2018

Sweden's plane protester, 3D-printed guns, 'This Is Iraq'

We speak to the Swedish activist who tried to halt the deportation of an Afghan man put on a plane. She tells us there's more to the story the media hasn't picked up on. Plus, courts have put a stop to the release of blueprints for a 3D-printed gun. It's a temporary measure, but how easy it is to print a 3D gun and what is the possible impact? And, we find out about the story behind the music video "This Is Iraq."

Pages

Pages