Roundup

Pope's apology stirs debate on infallibility [audio 7min]

Pope Benedict XVI's recent remarks on Islam provoked anger in the Muslim world, and led to a rare papal apology. In some circles, the pontiff's clarification of his remarks has prompted a debate on the concept of papal infallibility. Guest: Monsignor Kevin Irwin, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology, and Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University.

Pope's remarks on Islam put into context [audio 5min]

The fallout continues from Pope Benedict XVI's recent speech addressing Islam, and the Pope's subsequent apology. The Pope's approach to Islam is rooted both in the history of the church, and in the world's modern realities. Lynn Neary talks bout the Pope's remarks to John Allen, Vatican correspondent for National Catholic Reporter; and James Reston, author of several books on the Crusades.

Gandhi and Tagore sought different visions for independent India [audio 45min]

Journalist Isabel Hilton and guests discuss the fascinating relationship between Mohandas Gandhi and Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore. Gandhi and Tagore had a complex relationship, about which much has been written, including the suggestion that Gandhi wanted to all Indians to share the status of the lowest caste (Shudras); while Tagore wanted them all to share the status of the highest caste (Brahmans). How do Gandhi's and Tagore's visions for India stand up today?

Military law professor Gary Solis discusses origins of Geneva Conventions [audio 4min]

As the president and Congress debate whether detainee-treatment procedures outlined in the Geneva Conventions need to be clarified, host Alex Chadwick talks with military law professor Gary Solis about the origin of the Geneva Conventions.

Venture Smith was 'black Paul Bunyan' [audio 7min]

In the 1700s, after escaping slavery, Venture Smith achieved success as a farmer and businessman in New England. Hear how researchers are trying to keep alive the story of Smith, dubbed "the black Paul Bunyan."

Vatican struggles to smother Islam controversy [audio 4min]

Nearly a week after Pope Benedict XVI made remarks seen as hostile to Islam, there's been very little let-up in the anger and protests among Muslims across the globe. On Sunday, the Pope said he was deeply sorry for having caused offense when he quoted a 14th-century text that describes some of the teachings of Islam as "evil and inhuman." Report by Lynn Neary and Sylvia Poggioli.

Germans debate banning political party [audio 4min]

A party thought by many to represent neo-Nazi views won seats in state parliament elections held over the weekend in Germany. An attempt to band the National Democratic Party failed three years ago. Now Germans are divided over whether to try again.

Was Marie Antoinette merely misunderstood? [audio 7min]

Marie Antoinette has been a subject for both biographers and novelists. Since before her beheading by French revolutionaries, her life has been analyzed and mythologized. Biographer Antonia Fraser and novelist Sena Jeter Naslund Offer a peek at the life of Marie Antoinette. Report by Susan Stamberg.

Why didn't Darius and Xerxes do history? [audio 29min]

In the late 6th century BC, Darius was the most powerful man on the planet. King of Persia, he also ruled the largest empire that the world had ever seen. His son Xerxes led one of the most famous military victories at Thermopylae. But little is recorded of these huge events. So why didn't the Persians do history? Presenter Tom Holland goes in search of Darius and his version of history.

Schama examines Britain’s abolitionist movement during Revolutionary War [video 67min]

Simon Schama, author of Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves, and the American Revolution, details how slavery impacted both the United States and Britain during the American Revolution. The author explains that British officers promised escaped slaves complete freedom and put them on ships to Nova Scotia and later to Sierra Leone in West Africa. Schama describes this as the first mass emancipation of slaves in the Americas. This event was hosted by the Washington Post Book Club in DC.

Hostage negotiator recalls 1980 commando raid on London's Iranian embassy [16min @4:30]

In May 1980, London's Iranian embassy was seized by six gunmen belonging to a dissident Iranian group opposed to Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini, who had came to power the previous year. During the seige, hostage negotiator Max Vernon was the conduit for all communications between the gunmen and British authorities. The siege ended after five days, when SAS commandos raided the embassy. Vernon is interviewed by journalist and presenter Fiona Glover, known as much for her incisive analyses as for her e

Pope's words take on life of their own [audio 4min]

Pope Benedict XVI says he is "deeply sorry" and regrets the reaction to his comments about the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, which continue to inflame the Muslim world. Islamist leaders demanded an apology after the pontiff quoted a 14th century Christian description of Islam as "evil and inhuman." The comments were made during an academic speech Tuesday at the University of Regensburg. Report by Liane Hansen and Sylvia Poggioli.

How would Henry Ford have regarded his company's current struggle to stay afloat? [audio 3min]

Bob Casey, curator of transportation for The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, fills Debbie Elliott in on Ford Motor Company history, including his views on how Henry Ford might have regarded the company's current struggle to stay afloat.

Reaction to Muhammad remarks jars Pope [audio 2min]

The Muslim world remains angry about remarks from Pope Benedict XVI. The pontiff quoted a 14th-century Byzantine emperor who disparaged the prophet Muhammad. The Vatican says the pope is upset at the reaction.

Julius Rosenwald built Sears & Roebuck, advanced education for African Americans [audio 7min]

Julius Rosenwald transformed Sears & Roebuck into the successful company it became in the early 20th century. His business acumen was complemented by a bent for philanthropy. Through a foundation established in 1917, Rosenwald funded nearly 5,000 schools that educated African American children throughout the rural south well into the 20th century. Rosenwald's grandson, Peter Ascoli, has written a biography about him.

Pope's remarks on Islam, violence spur anger [audio 3min]

Much of the Muslim world is in an uproar over remarks by Pope Benedict, that they say are offensive to Islam. Speaking in Germany Tuesday, the Pope quoted from a text that said the early spread of Islam had been accomplished by violence. The Vatican says Benedict did not intend to hurt Muslims' feelings -- but the outcry could end the Pope's planned visit Turkey in November. The incriminating words were contained in a long academic speech on reason and faith the Pope delivered at Regensburg Univ

Pope Benedict's remarks inflame Muslims [audio 5min]

The foreign ministry in Pakistan has called in the Vatican ambassador to express regret over the Pope's recent remarks about Islam. In a lecture in Germany earlier this week, Pope Benedict quoted a 14th-century Christian Byzantine emperor who had said the only new tenet brought by the Islamic Prophet Mohammed was the command to spread faith by the sword, and this was incompatible with the nature of God. Report by Jeb Sharp.

'Heil Hitler, The Pig Is Dead' [audio 5min]

Host Marco Werman talks with Rudolph Herzog, author of the book Heil Hitler, das Schwein ist tot! Lachen unter Hitler: Komik und Humor im Dritten Reich. Herzog describes the role humor played in the way Germans described and perceived the Nazis during the 1930s and 1940s.

Historian Jon Wiener probes FBI files on John Lennon [audio 39min]

Historian Jon Wiener was a consultant on the new documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon, which opens in limited release on Sept. 15th 2006. Wiener spent 14 years fighting to gain access to the FBI's secret files on the former Beatle. This interview originally aired on Jan. 25th 2000.

Jerusalem tolerance museum in legal limbo [audio 4min]

The Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center wants to build a museum of tolerance in Jerusalem. But construction was halted months ago when local Muslims complained that the site is an old Islamic Cemetery. Report by Michael Sullivan.