The Diane Rehm Show

The rescue of an American aid worker kidnapped in Somalia. The story of her ordeal and why she intends to return to Africa.

Lifetime alimony payments may soon be a relic of the past. A growing number of states are considering laws that would generally end permanent spousal support. Instead, they would create formulas to determine the amount and duration of awards. Some proponents of alimony-law reform are seeking to make the elimination of permanent alimony retroactive. The proposals have triggered heated debate: payers who criticize what they call unjust and outdated awards are pitted against family law attorneys who say the measures are punitive to women. One twist: an increasing number of those seeking reform are women who out-earn their ex-husbands. Diane and her guests discuss the future of alimony.

The U.S. economy has been showing some positive signs: the stock market is up. House prices in many places are higher than they've been for seven years. The number of new workers seeking unemployment benefits has declined, and the deficit is smaller this year compared to last. But there are still more than 12 million Americans looking for work. Current deficit numbers may delay the next political showdown over the raising the debt limit, but that battle is still coming, and there is no sign that the White House and Congress will be able to agree on plan that supports long term growth. Please join us to discuss what's ahead for the U.S. economy.

The U.N. passes a resolution for a transitional government in Syria. Russia expels a suspected U.S. spy. And Nawaz Sharif is elected prime minister of Pakistan again. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top international news stories.

The acting chief of the Internal Revenue Service is forced to resign. President Barack Obama goes on the offensive over political scandals. And the federal budget deficit is shrinking. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.