New York Times
Correspondent for the New York Times and author of The Obamas
PROFILE
Jodi Kantor
Guest
FROM Jodi Kantor
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What's next for the Obamas? The Obamas have one week left at the White House. Author and reporter Jodi Kantor has covered the president and his family for the past eight years. She shares some insight into what the Obamas might do next.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Syrian refugees make new lives in Canada Despite the assassination of the Russian diplomat Andrei Karlov, Russia and Turkey today promised to continue their talks about the ongoing conflict in Syria. The two nations have been working together to evacuate civilians in the rebel-held parts of Aleppo. Millions have fled Syria since the war started. Canada is among the countries most willing to accept and aid these refugees. The country has accepted nearly 38,000 Syrians in the last year.
To the Point
Canada’s Really Large Welcome Mat for the World’s Refugees At last count, there are at least 21 million people currently displaced from their home countries, and nearly five million of them are Syrian. The reception Syrian migrants receive has been hot and cold to say the least. Greece shipped desperate migrants back to Turkey; Denmark confiscated their valuables; and here in the U.S. 5,000 refugees have been accepted for resettlement but not without becoming a heated political debate about protecting the nation from terrorists. In Canada, the problem is the opposite. The Canadian government has too many citizens who want to sponsor Syrian refugees and invite them into their homes. Jodi Kantor is a Correspondent for the New York Times and wrote the feature story about this in the paper today. "No One is Illegal" march in Toronto, Canada Photo courtesy: No One Is Illegal
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Robo-Scheduling Almost every major chain store now has traded in old-fashioned, pen-and-paper work schedules for computer-generated ones. They use special software that analyzes sales data, delivery schedules, and even local weather forecasts to spit out the most efficient plan for which employees should work, when. It’s great for the bottom line, but not so great for many workers. Yesterday, Starbucks announced it’s changing its system to give workers more regular hours. But does this mean anything for others in similar situations?
To the Point
Can Barack Obama Top Bill Clinton? For almost an hour, former President Bill Clinton had the delegates on their feet last night, mixing details about policy with warnings about a potential Republican victory. It was vintage Clinton — blistering Mitt Romney 's Republicans at the same time he was advocating cooperation. Even when he got wonkish, it was clear that both the audience and Clinton were having fun. Reporters, commentators and delegates all agree that he'll be a tough act to follow. We hear excerpts, informed analysis and predictions of what to expect tonight when the nominee for re-election finally takes the stage. We also ask delegates from several states to describe the convention experience. To the Point is broadcasting live from the Democratic convention all week. You can find extended interviews, pictures and more at KCRW.org/election2012 .
To the Point
The Day Before the Iowa Caucuses The presidency of the United States is up for grabs almost as never before. For the first time in 80 years, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party has an incumbent or a vice president in the running. Tomorrow, real people will get a chance to state their preferences in the Iowa Caucuses , which are happening earlier than ever before. However, when these ordinary voters finally start choosing the next president, the process will violate basic tenets of American democracy. Forget about the secret ballot or giving each person one vote. The Iowa caucuses don't work that way, especially for those who call themselves "Democrats." We find out how tomorrow's caucuses will work, and why they're getting more attention than ever before. What are the candidates saying and doing to stay alive for campaigns that may be over on the fifth of next month?
Recommended
Design and Architecture
Securing Public Spaces, Super Wealthy Asians Vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons, as seen in the London Bridge attack over the weekend and in New York’s Times Square last month. The Compton-based company Calpipe is designing security bollards to help make public spaces safer. And novelist Kevin Kwan satirizes the “crazy rich” Asian jet set and their luxurious tastes in his latest book, “Rich People Problems.”
Bookworm
Morgan Parker: There Are More Beautiful Things than Beyoncé Morgan Parker says that the poems in her book There Are Things More Beautiful than Beyonce take a stand against the clichés of the dominant culture.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gov. Jerry Brown: California and China will fight climate change together President Donald Trump reportedly wants the U.S. to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and he’s expected to announce a decision soon. California Governor Jerry Brown heads to China to strengthen climate and clean energy ties.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why did Jared Kushner want a back channel with Russians? News broke Friday that President Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, tried setting up a back channel between the Trump transition team and the Russian government. What are the consequences for Kushner, President Trump, and the investigation into Russian meddling?