Daily Schedule

On today’s show: We’ll find out how the CIA used the guise of a science fiction movie to rescue six of Americans hostages in Iran in 1979. Jeanne Marie Laskas looks at the men and women who work in those unseen jobs that keep our country running—like coal miners and air traffic controllers. Filmmaker Ric Burns talks about how the massive death toll during the Civil War reshaped the United States. And Salman Rushdie talks about what happened in the years after the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa in 1989 that called for his death.

Your morning companion from NPR and the WNYC Newsroom, with world news, local features, and weather updates.

David Corn, Mother Jones’ Washington bureau chief, discusses the full, unedited video of a Mitt Romney fundraiser and what the candidate’s message tells us about his worldview. Plus: ...

The Peabody Award-winning program features Terry Gross’ fearless and insightful interviews with big names in pop culture, politics and the arts.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

A wrap-up of the day’s news, with features and interviews about the latest developments in New York City and around the world, from NPR and the WNYC newsroom.

On today's Soundcheck, musicologist Alisun Pawley talks about sing-along songs and why we want to belt out familiar tunes in a crowd. Then Pitchfork founder and frequent Soundcheck contributor Ryan Schreiber gives us his list of five irresistible sing-along songs -- from Al Green to David Bowie and Queen to Weezer.

Plus, The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle delivers a stirring solo performance behind the piano and acoustic guitar in the studio.

It’s a Balkan Brass Battle Royale on this New Sounds between two of the best Balkan Brass bands - Boban I Marko Markovic Orchestra from Serbia, along with Fanfare Ciocarlia from Romania.  Fresh from a worldwide tour, listen to these two notorious outfits blow each other away, and play nicely together on a few tracks as well.  More is just better!