Libyan anti-Kadhafi fighters stand guard on a desert road some 30 kilometers before the eastern town of Brega on March 31, 2011. (ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images/Getty)
Rumors are flying in Tripoli about the future of the Gadhafi regime after two high-level defections yesterday; how a national tragedy is impacting April 1, the day young Japanese traditionally begin their careers; how a gender gap will play out as India out-paces China as the most populous country in the world; the State Department's new smart phone tool to help pro-democracy movements; answering your questions about paying for college; and, the cast and filmmakers behind the new documentary "Wretches and Jabberers" on how they hope to change the way the world sees autism and disability.
There are reports that another senior Libya official has been meeting with British authorities in London, this follows two earlier defections from Gadhafi's regime, including the country's foreign minister, Moussa Koussa. John Burns, London Bureau Chief for The New York Times reports.
April 1st is the traditional "entrance day" for classes of new employees in Japan. It's a time when hundreds of thousands of recent college graduates would have just finished their first day at work, a day full of official ceremonies and welcome parties. However, as the country struggles to cope with multiple recent crises, Japan's newest workers face an uncertain future.
For a nearly a week, four New York Times journalists working in East Libya were captured and held by pro-Gadhafi forces. They were tied up, often not permitted to speak, and beaten. "I have never been punched in the face before," journalist Lynsey Addario described. "This was the first time in my life I had a man look me in the eyes and punch me in the face — and especially when I was bound, hands and feet." Tyler Hicks, photographer for The New York Times, who was among the four held captive in Libya, tells his story.
India’s population has tripled in size in the last 50 years, hitting a record 1.2 billion in 2010. India is set to outpace China by 2030, even though the population growth is slowing. But the data has a disturbing side, the ratio of boys to girls has dropped again. For every 1,000 boys only 914 girls are born. The gender imbalance is a result of sex selection, and may have far-reaching adverse effects for the country.
Thursday was Opening Day for the 2011 MLB season. Outside in the cold weather, it was hard to imagine that spring was really in the air, but fans were rejoicing none-the-less. Baseball is a "very long soap opera" says Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin. The season is long (162 games) and slow, but attracts a dedicated following.
"Wretches and Jabberers" is a buddy movie, a road trip movie and a moving adventure. But this new film is different than your typical mainstream fare. The documentary stars two autistic friends and advocates who do most of their communicating through typing. The story follows Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher, as well as their assistants Pascal Cheng and Harvey Lavoy, as they travel around the world, meet other autistic people, and advocate for autism rights.
Another senior official defects from Col. Gadhafi's government. Does this mean that Gadhafi's regime is falling apart? Jonathan Marcus, BBC reporter, has more.
Speaking to Congress on Thursday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that he opposes arming the Libyan rebels. Gate's position is in line with the NATO forces, who have taken over command of Operation Protectorate, as the air attack on Libya is now being called. NATO commanders say they will enforce the arms embargo, no-fly zone and focus on protecting civilians – but not necessarily the rebels.
Around tax time, Absolute Return magazine publishes a list of Wall Street's biggest winners of the year. This year, while most of America continues to battle a financial recession and 9.5 percent of the workforce remains actively unemployed, the nation's top hedge fund managers took home staggering sums of money. Louise Story, finance reporter for our partner The New York Times tells us why and how these managers make billions each year.
As a part of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s push to expand Internet freedoms across the globe, the U.S. State Department is developing a smart phone app which will allow international activists to hit a “panic button,” wiping out their cell phone’s address book, contacts, text messages, and even emit emergency alerts to other activists. This app is designed to protect networks of pro-Democracy activists in the event that their phone is confiscated by police.
Gadhafi's forces have made gains in the struggle in Libya while U.S. forces have pulled back their mission, handing control over to NATO. This has lead to questions on Capitol Hill about U.S. policy in Libya. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen testified before Congress Thursday. Takeaway Washington correspondent, Todd Zwillich reports.
It’s the season of college acceptance and rejection letters, and all this week, we’ve been talking about college-related topics.
Today, we’re talking again with Beth Kobliner, Takeaway contributor and appointee to the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability. Beth was here on Tuesday to walk us through the ABCs of college loans, financial aid, and debt.
Beth is back today to answer all the listener questions that have come in since her appearance on Tuesday.
The New York Times' David Kirkpatrick is in Tripoli. He reports on the latest following several high profile defections by Libya's officials.
The battle for control of Ivory Coast may be in its final stages as forces loyal to the internationally recognized president, Alassane Ouattara, are fighting for the last area of the commercial capital, Abidjan. Abidjan is still held by supporters of Laurent Gbagbo. J. Peter Pham, director of the Ansari Africa Center at the Atlantic Council explains why the fighting may be coming to a close and what the future will look like for Ouattara.
Private employers, the backbone of the economy, drove nearly all of the gains last month, adding 230,000 new jobs. This comes on top of the 240,000 added in February and was the first time private hiring topped 200,000 in back-to-back months since 2006. There was good news about unemployment numbers too, as the unemployment rate dipped from 8.9 percent in February to 8.8 percent in March. The rate has fallen a full percentage point over the last four months, the sharpest drop since 1983. Charlie Herman, economics editor for The Takeaway and WNYC Radio, analyzes the news.
Although 230,000 jobs have been added and the unemployment rate has dropped, we're not seeing an increase in average hourly earnings. What does this mean for the economy? The Wall Street Journal's "Ahead of the Tape" columnist, Kelly Evans, explains what this means for Americans who are still struggling economically as food and energy costs continue to go up.
Today's Takeaway: Obesity Among the Homeless, Egyptian Elections, Morgan Stanley in Hot Water, and Have College Students Stopped Studying?
Why Increased Immigration is the Solution for America's Ailing Economy
Is the Private Era in Space Officially Upon Us?
Archer Records Keeps Vinyl and Detroit's Techno Scene Alive
Today's Takeaway: Over 50 and Unemployed, Texting in Class, The Future of Yemen, and Why It's So Hard to End Poverty in America
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with The BBC World Service, New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
