WAMU-FM: WAMU: The Diane Rehm Show Podcast

The 1989 global ban on ivory trade was supposed to end the widespread slaughter of elephants in Africa — it hasn't. Exact numbers are hard to come by, but by almost every estimate, poachers are now killing tens of thousands of elephants a year, more than at any time in the last two decades. Increasingly, the killers are armed militants seeking quick cash, and demand for smuggled ivory is strong. In Southeast Asia it remains a prized material for religious carvings, and in China it's coveted by the newly enriched middle class. Please join us to discuss the illegal ivory trade and the future of Africa's elephants.

The Electoral College was created by the Framers as a compromise to save the Constitution: America would elect its president indirectly, with individuals chosen by the states based on their representation in Congress. Most states now use a winner-take-all system that awards all electors to the winning candidate. Supporters of the Electoral College say it protects the rights of smaller and rural states. But critics argue the system is undemocratic and gives too much power to battleground states. And polls show a majority of Americans favor doing away with the Electoral College. Diane and guests discuss how America elects its president.

Kenny Rogers is known worldwide as an award-winning pop and country singer. But many fans don't know he began his career 50 years ago singing in a doo-wop group at his Texas high school. He played stand-up bass in a jazz trio before joining a rock band in the late 1960s. It was with the band First Edition that Kenny Rogers found fame with the song, "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town." In 1977, he launched a solo career in country music with the hit "Lucille." He soon became known for his story songs like "The Gambler." Diane talks with Kenny Rogers about his journey from a Houston housing project to becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time.

As of this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court is back in session. In the new term the justices will decide cases dealing with affirmative action, unreasonable searches and human rights. In the latter case, the court will hear arguments today on whether to allow victims of human rights abuses committed in foreign countries to seek justice in U.S. courts. Legal analysts also say it's likely the court will agree later in the term to take up challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Diane and her guests discuss the implications of the major cases before the court and how individual justices might affect outcomes.

Growing up in Springdale, Penn., Rachel Carson was an avid reader who dreamed of becoming a writer. But a college biology teacher turned Carson's interest to the sciences. Her work at the Bureau of Fisheries led to the 1951 bestseller, "The Sea Around Us," which was the second of three books on ocean life. But then Carson learned a Long Island, N.Y., community was suing the federal government for spraying the insecticide DDT. Inspired by that case, Carson wrote the 1962 classic, "Silent Spring," which launched the modern environmental movement. For this month's Environmental Outlook: A new biography of the life and legacy of Rachel Carson.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech to the United Nations on Iran the day after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad railed against Israel and what he called the "bullying" foreign policy of the United States. The U.N.'s refugee relief agency says between 2,000 and 3,000 people are fleeing Syria every day and appealed for $490 million to deal with the crisis. And protesters take to the streets in Greece and Spain over austerity measures. Nadia Bilbassy of MBC TV, Matt Frei of UK Channel 4 and Anne Gearan of The Washington Post join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

New polls showed President Barack Obama ahead in several key swing states with just six weeks to go until the election. Mixed economic news this week with reports showing higher consumer confidence but weaker GDP growth. And the NFL reached a tentative agreement with its referee union. Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post, Lisa Lerer of Bloomberg News and Michael Hirsh of National Journal join guest host Susan Page for analysis of the week's top national news stories.

Political reporters on separating fact from fiction, and the challenge of providing fair and accurate coverage in a partisan world.

California moved into the self-driving lane this week. With Google's help, it passed a law that will allow computer-controlled cars on the road, at least on a test basis. Google has modified and tested a fleet of Toyota Prius hybrids that drive themselves using a range of video and radar technology. And that's just the beginning. By some estimates, self-driving vehicles will make up 70 percent of the nation's traffic by the year 2040. Proponents of driverless cars say their widespread use would reduce congestion and give elderly and impaired drivers new freedom. Others worry about safety, liability and privacy issues. Guest host, Tom Gjelten, and his guests discuss the future of driving.

Sheila Bair describes the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath as she saw it during her time as chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. She explains why the U.S. financial system is still at risk and tougher regulatory reform is needed.

The world's leaders are in New York this week. It's the opening of the UN General Assembly. Both U.S. friends and U.S foes are represented there, plus some in between: Egypt's new president, Mohammed Morsi, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Afghan President Hamid Karzai. President Obama addressed the assembly yesterday, calling on leaders to continue the "painstaking work of reform" and defending American values. But Mitt Romney thinks the country needs a more forceful leader, one better able to protect our interests. Please join us for a conversation on President Obama at the UN and differing perspectives on America's role in the world.

Kevin Powers, from a town in Virginia, joined the army when he was just 17 years old. Six years later, he was in Iraq, deployed in Mosul and Ta Lafar at a time of fierce fighting. He draws on that experiences in a novel titled "The Yellow Birds." It is the story of Private John Bartle and Private Daniel Murphy, two small town boys bound by a rash promise Bartle made to Murphy's mom. But they are unprepared for the battles they face. Tom Wolfe says this novel is "the 'All Quiet on the Western Front' of America's Arab Wars." Kevin Powers joins guest host Tom Gjelten of NPR to discuss the emotional gravity of war and the dangers that do not end when soldiers get home.

As part of the 2009 stimulus package, doctors and hospitals in the U.S. were offered financial incentives to switch to electronic medical records. Three years later, more than one-third have moved to digital. While the change has improved efficiencies and patient safety, there is rising concern about the vulnerability of the system to fraud. One recent study found that hospitals received billions more in Medicare reimbursements following the switch to digital records. And patient privacy concerns remain. Guest host Tom Gjelten and a panel of experts discuss the positives and negatives of electronic health records.

As many as one in 500 Americans has multiple sclerosis. Ann Romney, wife of the Republican presidential nominee, has MS. So did first lady Michelle Obama's late father. It's believed to be an autoimmune disease that damages neurons in the brain and spinal cord, sometimes leading to permanent disabilities. There is no cure, but there are a number of treatments available to alleviate symptoms and possibly slow the progression of the disease. Some of the most effective MS drugs can cause dangerous side effects. But one promising new drug won FDA approval earlier this month, and a decision on another drug is expected by year's end. Guest host Susan Page will talk with a panel of experts, including a doctor who has MS, about diagnosing, treating and living with multiple sclerosis.

Men and women have different views of this year's presidential election. Most polls show Republican Mitt Romney holds a small lead among male voters, while President Barack Obama has a big lead among female ones. In the final six weeks of the campaign, women have become a key target for both sides. More women are registered, more turn out to vote and they are more likely to be undecided or "persuadable." Democratic pollster Margie Omero and Republican pollster Christine Matthews describe what sorts of women could decide the November election. Bay Buchanan, a representative of the Romney campaign, and Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for Obama's reelection, tell us how the candidates are trying to appeal to them.