July 11, 2008 
North America, Business and Economy , Markets
Paulson, Bernanke mum on government takeover of floundering home loan companies
By John Hockenberry and Adaora Udoji
After another roller coaster of a financial week, senior Washington officials are trying to reassure investors that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have enough money to continue financing America's loans after the two lenders' stocks plunged to 17-year lows.
North America, National ,
California National Guard troops deployed to fight wildfires
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Corey Takahashi
California is still experiencing a wildfire crisis more than two weeks after an initial lightning storm ignited more than 1,700 fires. Authorities said more than 320 fires still were active Thursday. Thousands of Northern Californians continue to evacuate.
North America, Society, Health , Race
A long time coming: American Medical Association apologizes to black doctors
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Noel King
The American Medical Association has issued an apology to black doctors for a history of racial discrimination. But is it a case of too little too late? The Takeaway talks with Dr. George C. Debnam, who experienced the AMA’s racial prejudice firsthand as a young doctor in North Carolina in the 1950’s.
The Internet and Software, Television, Technology, Business and Economy , Advertising, North America, Culture, Arts and Entertainment , Humor, Celebrities
Big-time TV writers Whedon and MacFarlane create Web-exclusive shows
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Mary Elizabeth Williams, Jesse Baker
Joss Whedon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy"), two of television's most powerful showrunners, are taking their brands online. Whedon's "Dr. Horrible" will be an on-the-cheap supervillain musical. MacFarlane's "Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy" will be distributed by the advertising juggernaut Google, who just might be reinventing TV...
Engineering, Society, Technology, History
The revolutionary phones before the iPhone
Apple’s iPhone 3G goes on sale this morning. This iPod, GPS mapping system and wireless Internet telephone is generating some serious buzz. But is it worth all the hype?
North America, The Internet and Software, Employment and the Work Force, Culture, Arts and Entertainment , Shopping and Consumerism, Technology
The pawn-shop index, recession-proof stuff and the iPhone 3G
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Corey Takahashi, Kent DePinto
Is there such a thing as recession-proof stuff? If we’re all being tight with our wallets, then why, in this time of economic turmoil, are certain industries thriving? The Takeaway turns to Columbia business professor Cheryl Einhorn then goes to Stockton, Calif., (dubbed “the foreclosure capital” by 60 Minutes), where sometimes a bad turn can mean good business — for pawn shops.
North America, National , Congress and Lawmakers, Crime and Law Enforcement, Politics
The Merida Initiative: The United States takes the War on Drugs to Mexico
By John Hockenberry, Adaora Udoji, Jesse Baker
This year the drug trade's been in full bloom in Mexico. While US-Mexican relations have been a strained by illegal immigration issues, the two countries are renewing joint efforts to fight the seemingly escalating cases of drug trafficking. On June 30th, President Bush signed the Merida Initiative, which appropriates $465 million to help fight drugs in Mexico and Central America. We welcome David Johnson who's leading that fight.
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.
