National

Friday February 28, 2003

Human Shields in Iraq

February 28, 2003 • It's estimated that hundreds of volunteer "human shields" are in Baghdad from the United States and elsewhere. They're placing themselves at installations in an effort to prevent U.S. bombing. NPR's Melissa Block talks to volunteer human shield Ken Nichols O'Keefe, and to Paul Eliopolous, an American who became an involuntary shield when arrested by Iraqis in Kuwait in 1990.

Human Shields in Iraq

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Lawmakers Seek NASA Answers

February 28, 2003 • NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe faces tough questions on Capitol Hill during a hearing on the space agency's 2004 budget. Members of the House Science Committee also press O'Keefe for safety assurances following the loss earlier this month of the space shuttle Columbia. NPR's Eric Niiler reports.

Lawmakers Seek NASA Answers

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Radio Expeditions

Revisiting the Birth of the Bomb, Part 2

February 28, 2003 • Alex Chadwick has the second of a two-part NPR/National Geographic Radio Expedition to the remote New Mexico test site where the most terrifying weapon ever -- the atomic bomb -- was born.

Revisiting the Birth of the Bomb, Part 2

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Culture

America's Last Mass Lynching

February 28, 2003 • On a summer afternoon in 1946, in rural Georgia, a white mob killed four young black people in a hail of gunfire. The brutal killings -- the last mass lynching in America -- led to a national outcry. The FBI investigated, but no one was ever convicted of the murders. On Morning Edition, NPR's Renee Montagne interviews Laura Wexler, author of a book that examines the incident.

America's Last Mass Lynching

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Thursday February 27, 2003

Radio Expeditions

Revisiting the Birth of the Bomb

February 27, 2003 • The United Nations continues to debate war with Iraq over its weapons of mass destruction. These weapons seem all the more frightening because of worries they could fall into the hands of terrorists. For National Geographic's Radio Expeditions, NPR's Alex Chadwick visited Trinity, the remote New Mexico test site where the most terrifying weapon ever -- the atomic bomb -- was born.

Revisiting the Birth of the Bomb

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Back to Code Yellow

February 27, 2003 • The Bush administration on Thursday lowered the national terror alert level from orange to yellow, suggesting the threat of an imminent terrorist attack on U.S. soil has eased somewhat. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Melissa Block.

Back to Code Yellow

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World

Bush Details Post-Saddam Iraq

February 27, 2003 • Addressing members of a Washington think tank, President Bush outlines his vision for Iraq after Saddam Hussein's removal, and predicts that liberating Iraq could help create peace between Israelis and Palestinians. NPR's Don Gonyea reports.

Small Minnesota Town Leaps into Iraq Debate

February 27, 2003 • The city council of Ely, Minn., passes a resolution opposing war with Iraq. Tom Coombe, managing editor of the Ely Echo, says the debate and vote may be the most controversial the council has ever cast. Coombe speaks with NPR's Melissa Block.

Wednesday February 26, 2003

World

Anti-War Protesters: U.S. Eager for Iraqi Oil

February 26, 2003 • Anti-war demonstrators say the Bush administration's push for war is motivated by a desire to take control of Iraq's oil reserves. The White House denies the allegations, saying disarming Saddam Hussein and taming a terrorist threat are its only goals. NPR's John Ydstie reports.

World

Mexico Urged to Side with U.S. on Iraq Debate

February 26, 2003 • The United States pressures Mexico, a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, to change its stance on Iraq. Mexico has said it supports continued weapons inspections over war. NPR's Gerry Hadden reports.

Costs Balloon for Looming War

February 26, 2003 • The Bush administration is reluctant to put a price on a war in Iraq, but estimates have soared -- some put the cost at $100 billion. Meanwhile, military buildup in the Persian Gulf already adds to the nation's defense expense. Hear reports from NPR's Jennifer Ludden and NPR's Scott Horsley.

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Tuesday February 25, 2003

World

Carter Urges More Diplomacy on Iraq

February 25, 2003 • The United States should do more to find a peaceful solution to the weapons standoff with Iraq, former President Jimmy Carter says. But, in a Morning Edition interview with NPR's Bob Edwards, Carter says that if Iraq fails to comply with U.N. resolutions, "war would be inevitable."

Monday February 24, 2003

R.I. Fire Probe Deepens

February 24, 2003 • Investigators in Rhode Island try to learn why last week's blaze spread so quickly inside a West Warwick nightclub, killing at least 97 patrons. The state attorney general wants answers from the club's owner. Among the issues: whether rock band Great White had permission for pyrotechnics. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

R.I. Fire Probe Deepens

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Sunday February 23, 2003

After the Fire

February 23, 2003 • A criminal investigation is under way in the wake of a fire that left at least 96 people dead at a Rhode Island nightclub. Owners of The Station say the band Great White, whose performance at the club included a pyrotechnics display, is responsible for the disaster, but investigators have yet to assign blame. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.

After the Fire

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R.I. Nightclub Fire Probe

February 23, 2003 • A criminal investigation is under way in the wake of a fire that left at least 96 people dead at a Rhode Island nightclub. Owners of The Station say the band Great White, whose performance at the club included a pyrotechnics display, is responsible for the disaster, but investigators have yet to assign blame. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.