Search results for

NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on the debate over mandatory testing of high school students. Tenth graders in California will be required to take achievement tests next year which could determine whether they graduate.

Bob Edwards talks with Andrew Chaiken , editor of Space Illustrated Magazine, about NASA's decision to cancel development of a spacecraft known as the X-33. It was intended to be a replacement for the space shuttle.

NPR's Jack Speer reports on why so few customers are choosing to do their banking over the Internet. Older people say they're more comfortable with a teller than a computer. Others say they don't trust online security systems, and dislike the service charges.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that U.S. stock prices tumbled yesterday amid investor concerns about technology earnings. The NASDAQ composite index has now declined by 60-percent since its high last March. There's concern that confidence has fallen to the point where prices may not rebound as quickly as in the past.

Commentator Paul Podolsky says the dive in the stock market is a small hurdle for the savvy new breed of new economy traders.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from Macedonia on new fighting today between ethnic Albanian militants and the Macedonian army. The gun battles took place near the city of Tetovo, deeper inside the country than previous clashes, which have been confined to the area near the border with Kosovo. Macedonian president Boris Trajkovski expressed confidence the army can contain the unrest, although he branded the militants separatists. The rebels say they are fighting for greater rights for Macedonia's ethnic Albanians -- a third of the total population.

Host Melissa Block talks with Rob Turner, instructor of Baroque flute and recorder at the University of Virginia. He describes and plays a crystal flute owned by President James Madison. The flute was made in 1813 by French clock-maker turned flute-maker Claude Laurent. His design determined the way the keys are configured on most modern-day woodwinds. For more info on the flute maker, click here.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports that Russian scientists are meticulously planning Mir's return to Earth, to prevent any harm. They're using computer models to anticipate where the 140-ton space station will splash down in the South Pacific, and warning away planes and boats from the area.

NPR's Michael Sullivan reports on the bribery scandal embroiling the government of India. Several top politicians in the ruling political party have resigned.

Host Melissa Block talks to Sen. Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, who wrote the Senate bankruptcy bill, and to bankruptcy lawyer Mark Zuckerberg, who opposes the measure.