Here and Now

Doctor Who Described Asperger's Syndrome Had Nazi Ties, New Study Says

The Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger is known for his pioneering work describing the form of autism that now bears his name. But previously unexamined documents now show Asperger was also involved with a notorious euthanasia program run by Nazis in Austria.

Indian Government's Slow Response To Rapes Poses 'Existential Crisis,' Activist Says

Editor’s Note: This segment discusses rape and sexual violence, and contains audio that some listeners may find disturbing or offensive.

There have been protests in northern India this week over the rape and murder of an 8-year-old Muslim girl in January. The case has taken a political turn, because two officials from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party protested in favor of the accused men, who are Hindus. Those officials resigned last week.

Sense Of Mission 'Increasingly Difficult To Find' In Today's U.S. Military, Former Marine Says

U.S. troops are involved in combat, counterterrorism or combat support missions in Iraq, Africa, the Philippines and elsewhere. This year marks the American military’s 17th year in Afghanistan.

Philadelphia DA Wants To Dismantle Mass Incarceration From The Inside Out

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner once called himself “unelectable.” Yet the 57-year-old attorney, known for being as outspoken as he is progressive, was sworn into office in January after winning the November election in a landslide.

'I Completely Turned My Back On Music': A Violist's Journey With Hearing Loss

The list of aging rock ‘n’ roll musicians who have damaged their hearing after a long career on stage is growing.

Huey Lewis and the News canceled its 2018 tour last week after Lewis told fans that he “can’t hear music well enough to sing.”

Eric Clapton told the BBC this year that he is going deaf.

Arrest Of 2 Black Men At Philadelphia Starbucks Sparks Outrage, Protests

A video that has garnered more than 9 million views on Twitter shows two black men being arrested at a Starbucks in Philadelphia. There have been large protests at the store.

Here & Now‘s Eric Westervelt (@Ericnpr) speaks with WHYY’s Peter Crimmins (@petercrimmins) for the latest.

Chemical Weapons Inspectors Denied Access To Syrian Sites

Inspectors with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons say they were denied access to the Syrian town of Douma, where a suspected chemical weapons attack on April 7 killed dozens and prompted U.S.-led missile strikes over the weekend.

Here & Now‘s Lisa Mullins speaks with NPR’s Michele Keleman (@michelekelemen).

Programs Like Medicare And Social Security Aren't To Blame For Deficit, Economist Says

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office predicts the federal deficit will balloon past $1 trillion in the next two years. That takes into account the Republicans 1.5 trillion dollar tax overhaul signed into law last year, and a $1.3 trillion bipartisan spending bill last month.

Markets React To Potential U.S. Military Response In Syria

The Dow opened down 200 points today after the President Tweeted that Russia should “get ready” because missiles “will be coming” at Syria.

Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd speaks with Michael Regan (@Reganonymous), senior editor at Bloomberg News.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Takes Questions From Senators Amid Data Controversy

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying before a joint Senate subcommittee hearing Tuesday, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Facebook’s role in the Cambridge Analytica data leaks.

Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd discusses the latest with NPR’s Miles Parks (@MilesParks).

Federal Deficit To Surpass $1 Trillion In 2020, CBO Says

The federal deficit is expected to surpass $1 trillion in 2020, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO also predicts that in 10 years the deficit will be about the same size as the country’s gross domestic product.

Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd looks at the implications of the deficit with MSNBC’s Ali Velshi (@AliVelshi), co-host of “Velshi & Ruhle.”

Former Sen. George Mitchell: U.S. Actions 'Undermine' Half-Century Of Policy In Middle East

In his long career as a lawmaker and diplomat, George Mitchell dealt with many of the world’s thorniest problems. He helped broker the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, which is marking its 20th anniversary Tuesday.

In the first of two conversations, Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd speaks with Mitchell about the Middle East, where he also served as an envoy.

Scientists Study Animal Ability To 'Repair' After Injury

A surprising number of animals in the animal kingdom take the idea of “repair” to the next level: They can actually regenerate an entirely new limb, or parts of their hearts and brains, after injury. Scientists around the world are studying this ability in hopes of someday harnessing it for humans.

Paige Pfleger (@PaigePfleger) from WHYY’s The Pulse reports.

Korean War Veteran Who Received Medal Of Honor Laid To Rest In Arlington

With full military honors and an honorary flyover, Thomas Hudner Jr., who received the Medal of Honor in 1951 for bravery during the Korean War, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday.

Here & Now‘s Alex Ashlock (@aashlock) was there for the ceremony, and has this report.

Biographies Explore Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ties To Boston And Robert F. Kennedy

Fifty years ago today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 39 years old.

On the 50th anniversary of his death, new biographies of King reveal little-known facets of King’s connections to Boston, and to Robert Kennedy. Fred Thys (@fredthys) from member station WBUR begins with the civil rights leader’s ties to Boston University.

Sinclair Broadcast Group 'False News' Promos Stir Debate About Media Bias

The country’s biggest owner of local television stations is under fire for making its news anchors read a scripted promo decrying “false news” and echoing conservative rhetoric about bias in the media. A compilation of anchors at stations owned or operated by the Sinclair Broadcast Group went viral over the weekend, and President Trump weighed in Monday morning on Twitter.

'Roseanne' Reboot Stirs Political Conversation In Trump Era

President Trump called Roseanne Barr to congratulate her on the reboot of her show, “Roseanne.” The revival addresses political issues, even as Barr herself has generated controversy for her sometimes extreme views.

IRS Audits Drop To Lowest Level Since 2002

If you’re worried about being audited by the IRS, the chances of that happening are increasingly slim. In 2017, the percentage of individual tax audits dropped to its lowest level since 2002, according to data being released Thursday. The decline comes as the IRS has faced budget cuts.

Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with USA Today’s Charisse Jones(@charissejones).

Utility Companies Want More Electric Vehicles On The Road

Utility companies are looking toward electric vehicles to revive the demand for electricity, which has been falling due to improved energy efficiency in the United States. Companies are offering rebates to help get more people to buy electric cars.

Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson talks with Quartz reporter Michael J. Coren (@MJ_Coren).

Murder Trial Opens For Border Patrol Agent Who Shot Mexican Teenager

A Border Patrol agent is on trial for murder more than five years after he shot through a fence on the U.S.-Mexico border, killing a teenager on the other side.

Lonnie Swartz faces second-degree murder charges for the death of 16-year-old Mexican citizen Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez in 2012. Swartz shot Rodriguez 10 times across the border in Nogales.

A Brief History Of Gospel Music, From African Rhythms To 'The Brooklyn Sound'

As Easter and Passover approach, University of Connecticut music professor Robert Stephens joins Here & Now‘s Robin Young to discuss the evolution of gospel music, from African rhythms to the Hammond organ that characterizes the popular “Brooklyn sound” in churches today.

Interview Highlights

On how gospels grew out of spirituals

One Way To Cut Back On Noisy Office Spaces? Phone Booths

Private office phone booths are becoming a thing — especially in a world of open-floor-plan office spaces that are too noisy and don’t give coworkers enough privacy.

This is just one of several ways offices are giving workers more privacy in design.

Uber Pulls Out Of Southeast Asia

Uber is selling off its operations in Southeast Asia to a local rival named Grab.

Here & Now‘s Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with Roben Farzad (@robenfarzad), who hosts “Full Disclosure” on NPR One, about how Uber is doing outside of the U.S., as the ride-hailing company also faces setbacks over its self-driving car testing. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey this week suspended Uber’s self-driving car tests, after a self-driving car operated by Uber killed a pedestrian in Tempe earlier this month.

Citizenship Question Becomes Flashpoint In 2020 Census

Monday night the Commerce Department announced it would reinstate a citizenship question in the federal census, which will next be taken in 2020. Democratic lawmakers say it will depress the count of people living in the U.S. because immigrants will be afraid to fill out the form. Republican say it will bolster citizen rights.

Sacramento Protests Call For Charges Following Police Shooting Of Stephon Clark

Protests are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday in Sacramento, California, following the police shooting of Stephon Clark, who was unarmed when he was killed in his grandparents’ backyard on March 18.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young gets an update from Nick Miller (@NickMiller510) of Capital Public Radio, amid demands from Clark’s family and black leaders that the officers be charged.

More Immigrants Today Look To Reduce Their Accents

With anti-immigrant sentiment on the rise in the U.S., some immigrants are turning to classes and private services to try to reduce their accents.

Tim Padgett (@TimPadgett2) of WLRN in Miami reports.

U.S. Expels 60 Russian Officials In Wake Of Former Spy's Poisoning

The Trump administration expelled 60 Russian diplomats Monday and ordered Russia’s consulate in Seattle to close, as the United States and European nations seek to jointly punish Moscow for its alleged role in poisoning an ex-spy in Britain.

Here & Now‘s Robin Young gets the latest from NPR’s Greg Myre (@gregmyre1).

Bolton Appointment 'Raises Some Concerns,' Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Says

President Trump has tapped John Bolton to become his next national security adviser, replacing H.R. McMaster. Bolton is a former ambassador to the United Nations known for hard-line stances against North Korea and Iran.

Iraq War Veteran Who Led Marines During 2003 Invasion Reflects On The Conflict

Fifteen years ago this week, U.S. forces invaded Iraq, launching a controversial war that in some respects hasn’t ended.

Here & Now‘s Meghna Chakrabarti speaks with former Marine Matt Ufford (@mattufford), who was there and is now writing about his experience.

As Trump Administration Outlines Trade Plans, China Gets Ready To Retaliate

The White House is set to release plans Wednesday for tariffs and other trade regulations against China. One of the main sticking points centers on intellectual property, as well as imports. U.S. industries will have a chance to weigh in on which products should be subject to tariffs, according to the administration.

Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd speaks with Roben Farzad (@robenfarzad), who hosts “Full Disclosure” on NPR One.