Press Play With Madeleine Brand

Syrian rebels are advancing on Hama after capturing Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. They’re challenging President Assad. Russia has joined the regime in counterstrikes.  LA County is allowing people to sell food they make in home kitchens — if they meet standards for a health permit. The program is Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO). Beginning July 2026, California shoppers will no longer see the “sell by” date in grocery stores. What do the various date labels even mean? Johnny Carson was seemingly a friend to millions as the host of "The Tonight Show" for three decades. That wasn’t the case in his personal life, according to “Carson the Magnificent,” published in November.  Sony’s PlayStation launched in Japan in 1994, and revolutionized gaming by pursuing an older audience and using film-like graphics. That big-budget sophistication eventually led Sony to play it safe in terms of game development.