Audio Reports

Daily podcast

( For November 06, 2009 )

Today:

Monitor Reports

Pat Murphy hosts today's podcast with Monitor reporters from around the world.

Audio Reporter

The latest unemployment figures for October push the US jobless rate over 10 percent.

11/06/2009

Nidal Malik Hasan case: Are Army psychiatrists overwhelmed?

The shootings at Fort Hood Thursday point to a military mental-health system stretched to the breaking point. The suspect is an Army psychiatrist, Nidal Malik Hasan.

Reporter Gordon Lubold talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about mental health services soldiers and veterans receive.

11/06/2009

Review: 'The Maid'

In this Chilean film, Raquel's brooding after decades of service reveals a complex character and a deep-set sadness.

Film critic Peter Rainer says not every foreign film is an "art film" and the Chilean movie 'The Maid' falls into that category.

11/06/2009

Review: 'Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" By Sapphire'

Sixteen-year-old Precious %u2013 illiterate, overweight, and pregnant again %u2013 is a study in quiet courage despite her nightmarish family life.

Film critic Peter Rainer discusses dramatic roles for comedians, such as Mo'Nique's in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

11/03/2009

Israel calls on Gulf states to aid Palestinians

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Arab countries needed to step up support. Meanwhile, Hamas test-fired a rocket that could reach Tel Aviv suburbs.

Reporter Ilene Prusher talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about remarks made Tuesday by Danny Ayalon, Israel's deputy foreign minister, regarding Arab cooperation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

11/03/2009

Karzai second-term goals: unity, stamping out corruption

Afghanistan President Karzai faces challenge of governing provinces that did not support him and where feelings of betrayal may run strong.

Reporter Ben Arnoldy talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about Afghan president Hamid Karzai and how he might approach governance, going forward.

11/03/2009

Mentors, Muses & Monsters

Well-known writers recall the big names they encountered on the way up – both those that helped them and those that hindered.

Monitor book reviewer Susan Comninos talks with editor Elizabeth Benedict.

11/02/2009

Monitor Books - Nov. 2, 2009

A Massachusetts prep school library goes digital and what kind of a mentor did you have?

10/30/2009

Iraq: US military contractor burns recyclables, violating contract

KBR was contracted to recycle cafeteria waste at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. Such spotty accountability is coming under new scrutiny; an Oct. 30 report reveals that transactions worth $10.7 billion are being audited.

Correspondent Tom Peter talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about the work that contractors do for both the US State department and military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

10/27/2009

Becoming Americans

Selections from 85 immigrants tell what it means to become an American.

Monitor book reviewer Geoff Wisner talks with editor Ilan Stavans.

10/26/2009

Iraq bombings: US military spokesman praises Iraqi response

Brig. Gen. Stephen Lanza lauds Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for focusing on rebuilding, rather than rushing to assign blame as he did in the wake of the Aug. 19 bombings.

Correspondent Jane Arraf talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about Sunday's suicide bombings of government buildings in Baghdad.

10/26/2009

Monitor Books - Oct. 26, 2009

Barnes & Noble's new e-reader, called the "Nook," and a look back at a different time.

10/23/2009

Review: 'Araya'

Gem of a documentary tracks the hard life of salt workers on a bleak Venezuelan peninsula in the late 1950s.

Film critic Peter Rainer says 'Araya' is a happily rediscovered documentary treat.

10/23/2009

Review: 'Amelia'

Biopic of Earhart's rise to fame is such a smooth ride the film lacks spark and edge.

Film critic Peter Rainer says 'Amelia' could be a tool to help the sleep deprived.

10/22/2009

Manhood for Amateurs

Novelist Michael Chabon surveys the emotional terrain of life as a husband, father, and son.

Monitor book reviewer Rebekah Denn talks with author Michael Chabon.

10/21/2009

Will Vatican lure Africa's Anglican anti-gay bishops to Catholic church?

Despite fierce opposition to homosexuality, African bishops say the Vatican's effort to bring more Anglicans to the Catholic church will falter, largely because of the autonomy that they enjoy.

Reporter Scott Baldauf talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about African Anglican clergy and church members possibly leaving the Church of England and switching to the Roman Catholic Church.

10/20/2009

Supreme Court to hear appeal of Uighurs still at Guant

The Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear the case of Uighur detainees remaining at the Guant

Reporter Warren Richey talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about the US Supreme Court agreeing to take the Uighurs case and how Justice Sotomayor is adapting to her new job.

10/20/2009

Balloon boy story and reality TV culture: What are parents thinking?

Parents' quest for reality-TV fame, from 'Jon & Kate' to balloon boy story, can be damaging to their children, say media watchdogs and child advocates.

Reporter Gloria Goodale talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about children working on television shows and movie productions.

10/19/2009

Saudi concern rises over Al Qaeda activity in Yemen

Two Yemen-based militants dressed as women, one of whom was a former Guant

Correspondent Caryle Murphy talks with CSMonitor.com's Pat Murphy about the former Guant

10/19/2009

Monitor Books - Oct. 19, 2009

Book price war between Wal-Mart and amazon.com. Also, becoming an adult.

10/15/2009

Spike Jonze takes "Where the Wild Things Are" from book to film

10/13/09 Monitor Books podcast

10/14/2009

Monitor reviews of National Book Award nominees

10/13/09 Monitor books podcast

10/14/2009

Monitor Books - Oct. 13, 2009

Nobel and Booker Prize winners are discussed. Also, the immigrant story in America is told.

10/14/2009

Hope for Animals and Their World

Famed naturalist Jane Goodall cries out on behalf of Earth’s animals.

Monitor reviewer Todd Wilkinson talks with naturalist Jane Goodall.

10/09/2009

Review: 'An Education'

A coming-of-age story about a precocious schoolgirl whose new older boyfriend turns out not to be all that he seems.

Film critic Peter Rainer says 'An Education' is one of the few 'coming-of-age' movies worth seeing.

10/09/2009

Review: 'Disgrace'

A spare, chilling post-apartheid tale of retribution that morphs into something more complex.

Film critic Peter Rainer enjoys how 'Disgrace' the movie follows the novel it is based on.