Here & Now
Here & Now

A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.

Airs on:
MON-THU 11am-12pm
25:27

Oil production dominates international climate conversations

This year's COP climate summit begins Thursday in Dubai. Nigel Purvis, a former U.S. climate negotiator and current CEO of Climate Advisers, joins us to talk about the controversy that will likely ensue when the summit gets underway. And, Oil production is expected to be a central point of discussion both at COP28 and the latest meeting of the OPEC+ group of oil-producing nations. MSNBC anchor and chief economic correspondent Ali Velshi joins us. Then, Henry Kissinger died on Wednesday at age 100. He had an instrumental role in forging relations between the U.S. and China in the 1970s. He also played a heavy role in the carpet bombing of Cambodia from 1969 to 1973. Journalist James Mann and professor at Harvard University Fredrik Logevall join us.
23:19

On college campuses, Israel-Hamas war spotlights free speech concerns

Juliette Touma, director of communications for the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency, talks about what is going on inside Gaza as the temporary ceasefire continues between Israel and Hamas. And, college campuses across America are reeling from heightened tensions, protests and polarizing views in light of the Israel-Hamas war. CEO of PEN America Suzanne Nossel explains the discord that's playing out on university campuses and how higher academia can address and resolve concerns over free speech on their campuses. Then, scientists, including those at NASA, are interested in studying UFOs. But there's a big challenge; it's difficult to collect the data to draw scientific conclusions. Alan Tu of WHYY's The Pulse reports.
25:52

How religious lobbyists made sure abortion bans stayed as strict as possible

During an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, White House officials expect more hostages to be released. Christoper O'Leary, the U.S. government's former director of hostage rescue and recovery, about tactics and strategies to release Americans and others still held. And, Amazon has become the top shipper in the U.S. surpassing the UPS. The feat has only heightened concerns about Amazon and monopolization. Roben Farzad, host of public radio's "Full Disclosure," joins us. Then, there have been debates in many states about what constitutes an exception to strict abortion bans. Very few exceptions have been granted, largely because of successful lobbying by anti-abortion religious activists.
27:34

One economic hurdle people with disabilities face? A limit on savings

As Palestinian prisoners return as part of the hostage exchange with Israel, The Washington Post's Louisa Loveluck tells us about it. And, Hagai Levine, head of the medical and resilience team for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, talks about working with the freed hostages. Then, it's been decades since the government set how much money someone with a disability can keep in savings and still be eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Now a bipartisan proposal in the Senate seeks to raise asset limits from $2,000 to $10,000. Disability rights advocate Patrice Jetter is supportive of the change, but says it's complicated.
46:05

'The Gun Machine' Ep. 8: Accounting for the true cost of gun violence

This final episode features a conversation about what it means to survive a shooting. And, host Alain Stephens discusses the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and how the federal government can better support survivors. Find the full podcast on Here & Now Anytime.
30:44

Make Thanksgiving leftovers taste even better the second time around

After spending much of Thanksgiving day cooking, you've probably got some leftovers taking up space in the fridge. From a vanilla pudding to a frittata, our resident chef Kathy Gunst offers recipes to transform those leftovers into something possibly even better than the first time you ate them. And, it's been 10 years since Kevin Kwan's novel "Crazy Rich Asians" hit bookstore shelves. The author joins us to break down the inspirations behind the book, the film adaptation that came after and Asian representation in media. Then, there are thousands of wild horses running free on Native American reservations. Tribal governments are left in charge of managing them. On the Spokane Reservation, one woman is working to rehome the animals. Ashley Ahearn reports.
33:27

Feast your ears on Dwight Garner's memoir about eating

Mark Kurlansky's new book "The Core of an Onion" includes the history, interesting facts and recipes including the allium. He tells us about it. And, if ever a book was meant to be savored, it's Dwight Garner's new memoir "The Upstairs Delicatessen: On Eating, Reading about Eating, and Eating While Reading." In it, the New York Times literary critic takes readers on a journey through his food and book-obsessed childhood. Then, "Magic: the Gathering" released a huge new product inspired by Aztec, Mayan, and Olmec history. Guatemalan-American art director Ovidio Cartagena explains how he incorporated Mesoamerican cultures into "Lost Caverns of Ixalan."
35:06

Have we lost empathy amid war in the Middle East?

How does climate change shape wildfires? That's the question John Vaillant's book "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World" seeks to answer. He joins us to talk about fire and the warming planet. And, the war between Israel and Hamas has become increasingly polarized, leading some to question whether we've lost empathy altogether. Jamil Zaki, a psychologist who's devoted his career to studying empathy, joins us to discuss. Then, the new book "Critical Hits: Writers Play Video Games" features essays about video games from acclaimed writers. Authors and "Critical Hits" editors Carmen Maria Machado and J. Robert Lennon join us.