Press Play with Madeleine Brand
U.S.-Cuba Deal, L.A. Nightclub Mogul Strikes Out in Vegas, and a Year in Hacks
The Obama administration announced a historic agreement with Cuba today, re-establishing diplomatic relations after decades of alienation. What are the details of the deal? We also take a look at a bizarre plot by the federal government agency USAID to infiltrate Cuba’s underground hip-hop scene.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenWe start with a look at the details of today’s historic agreement between the U.S. and Cuba, restoring diplomatic relations after decades of alienation. Also, a look at the bizarre, Cold War-esque tactics used by the federal government agency USAID in Cuba, including a plot to infiltrate the country’s underground hip-hop scene. Then, an L.A. nightlife mogul struck out with his plan for a hotel-casino in Las Vegas, due to revelations about his past drug use and financial ties. Next up, why are toys today more gender-specific than they were 50 years ago? And what are parents trying to navigate holiday shopping to do? Finally, we look back at the year in hacks, from Sony to Home Depot to JP Morgan.
Banner Image: Ministry of the Interior building on the Plaza de la Revolución, Havana
In this episode
6 storiesA Historic U.S.-Cuba Agreement
President Obama announced a historic agreement with Cuba today, thawing the longstanding diplomatic iceberg between the two countries. Under the deal the U.S. will open an embassy in Havana; ease travel, business and banking restrictions; and lift the cap on money sent back to the island from the U.S.
Read the story10 minUSAID’s Cold War Tactics in Cuba
Alan Gross, the American contractor now freed from a Cuban prison, worked for the government agency USAID. We take a closer look at USAID’s work in Cuba, including a bizarre plot to infiltrate Cuba’s underground hip-hop scene that was recently revealed by the Associated Press.
Read the story6 minLA Nightclub Mogul Sam Nazarian Strikes Out in Vegas
When Castro took over Cuba in 1959, the mafia left that country. They took their money and their casinos and headed for Las Vegas, their other home away from home. But Vegas isn’t run by the mob anymore. In fact, these days not even one of L.A.’s biggest nightclub owners is fit to run a casino.
Read the story7 minToys for Girls, Toys for Boys
If you’re shopping for a child this holiday season, there is a good chance you are looking into toys. And you’re not alone, the Toy Industry Association estimates $22 billion in toys were sold last year. But even as society has grown more accepting of new gender roles, toy marketers have not.
Read the story8 minActivist Legos, and Other Parenting News
Speaking of toys, the company behind Legos just announced that it’s reissuing one of its most popular toy lines. It’s called “The Research Institute.” It’s a laboratory scene, and all the figurines are women. The idea is to show girls that they, too, can grow up to be scientists. Is this a positive development?
Read the story7 minSony and the Year in Hacking
The theatrical release of the film The Interview has been cancelled. That’s the Seth Rogen movie that seems to have motivated the massive Sony Studios hack. But Sony wasn’t the only big cyber crime target of 2014. Target, Home Depot, and JP Morgan also got hit. We take stock of the year in hacking.
Read the story8 min
