The Leonard Lopate Show

Underreported: Berhanu Nega, Ethiopian Activist

Dr. Berhanu Nega is a recently released Ethiopian political prisoner, and is also a leading member of the CUD, Ethiopia’s main opposition party. He joins Leonard on the first part of today's Underreported to talk about his harrowing prison experience, and provide a first-hand view of Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi's heavy-handed suppression of political dissent.

Event:
Dr. Berhanu Nega will be giving a talk
Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 6th at 7:30 pm
New School for Social Research
Swayduck Auditorium
65 Fifth Avenue, between 13th and 14th streets
The event is free and open to the public.

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Underreported: Ethiopia’s Campaign in the Ogaden

While the West focuses on Darfur, another humanitarian disaster seems to be developing in the Horn of Africa. The Ethiopian government - a recipient of a great deal of western aid money - has launched a military campaign in the Ogaden, a remote region of Ethiopia that borders on Somalia. Civilians have been killed or displaced, villages have been burnt, and livestock has been destroyed. The Ethiopian military and the US military have a close working relationship, by the Pentagon's own admission. On the second part of Underreported, Leonard talks to Tom Porteous of Human Rights Watch about the destruction in the Ogaden, and how the United States government is complicit.

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Romance and Cigarettes

John Turturro is best known as an actor, and for his performances in movies like “Do the Right Thing” and “Barton Fink.” Now he’s written and directed, “Romance and Cigarettes,” a musical love story that recalls late 60's American cinema. It stars James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet, and Susan Sarandon.

Event: ”Romance and Cigarettes” premieres Friday, September 7 at Film Forum
209 West Houston Street (between 6th Avenue and Varick)

Find out what moves John Turturro in our guest picks page

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The Braindead Megaphone

Best known for his absurdist short stories, George Saunders offers up an assortment of styles in his first nonfiction collection. In The Braindead Megaphone, he describes traveling in Dubai and the jungles of Nepal, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the writers who have influenced his work.

The Braindead Megaphone is available for purchase at amazon.com

Events: George Saunders will be speaking and signing books
Thursday, September 6 at 7pm
Chelsea Barnes & Noble
675 6th Avenue (at 22nd Street)

Find out what moves George Saunders in our guest picks page

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New Stories from the South

Writer Joshua Ferris and editor Edward P. Jones join Leonard to discuss the literary anthology New Stories from the South.

New Stories from the South is available for purchase at amazon.com

Edward P. Jones will introduce Joshua Ferris and Angela Threatt at a reading tonight at 7 pm at McNally Robinson NYC, 52 Prince Street, 212-274-1160.

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