Search results for

Syria is one of the most important backers of the powerful Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. If the Assad regime falls, Hezbollah will face an uncertain future. New Yorker staff writer Dexter Filkins discusses what shifts in Syria could mean for the future of the Middle East.

April 18 marks the centennial of one of America's greatest catastrophes, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. In part one of our two-part re-examination of the events following the quake, we look at how bad luck and human error exacerbated the disaster. Our look at the disaster is brought to us by independent producer Jesse Boggs and the Hearing Voices radio project.

The Cat in the Hat, the book about a mischievous, irrepressible soul who always seemed kind of ageless, is 50 years old. At the time of its debut in 1957, the Cat was an instant success. The Dr. Seuss classic is still captivating to children and the adults who read to them.

Punishments, which were chosen by spinning a roulette wheel, included a "20 second Manny Pacquiao" in which suspects were punched for 20 seconds, according to Amnesty International. The practice allegedly was used on more than 40 detainees, mostly suspected drug traffickers.

In softcover nonfiction, the four-star general describes a culture gap between the military and civilian worlds, and Bridges explains how The Dude – of The Big Lebowski – is a kind of Zen master. In fiction, James Salter chronicles betrayal, Taiye Selasi looks at a grieving Ghanaian family and Philipp Meyer delivers a multigenerational family saga.

For decades, American companies have sent their manufacturing work overseas. Extremely low wages in Asia and elsewhere reduced costs. But as costs overseas go up, a growing number of American companies are rethinking that business model.

Alan Cheuse reviews George Saunders's first full-length novel, a political satire called The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil. At only 130 pages, including illustrations, the book is nonetheless a scathingly funny indictment of American politics.

We again feature THE JOHN PIZZARELLI TRIO discussing and performing several of Harry Warren's songs.We continue with PHILIP FURIA on Harry Warren's role in the evolution of the Hollywood musical in the 1930's.Harry Warren's music publishing company, Four Jays Music, is now headed by his grand-daughter, JULIA RIVA. She talks about her grandfather and his music.12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air. . . We begin our Monday encore presentations of our series on American popular song, with our tribute to Harry Warren. He wrote such songs as I Only Have Eyes for You, Lullaby of Broadway, We're in the Money, and The More I See You. Our guest performers will be the John Pizzarelli trio. Join us for the next fresh air.

For nearly three decades, until 1974, Lt. Hiroo Onoda lived in a Philippine jungle. During those years he continued to battle with villagers. As many as 30 people were killed. It wasn't until his former commander ordered Onoda to lay down his arms that he surrendered. Onoda died Thursday. He was 91.

Russell Johnson, the actor whose job it was to be the voice of reason and calm on an island of shipwrecked ninnies, reportedly died of natural causes at his home in Washington state. Johnson's role as the Professor on the 1960s comedy Gilligan's Island endeared him to audiences.