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NPR's David Welna reports on the Democratic tax-cut proposal. Led by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, Democrats are pushing for a $300 rebate to every taxpayer (and a $600 rebate to every couple), using about $60 billion from the budget surplus. They are also proposing an immediate cut in the lowest tax rate. Their proposal would be separate from President Bush's signature $1.6 trillion tax-cut plan, and Republicans fear that such a proposal would take the momentum away from Mr. Bush's program.

Noah Adams talks with NPR's Elizabeth Arnold about the resignation today of U.S. Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck. Dombeck had been instrumental in many of the Clinton administration reforms of forest policy, some of which are already being challenged by the Bush administration.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from Skopje that the recent fighting in northwest Macedonia has highlighted the country's deep ethnic divisions. His report gives a sampling of opinion from both communities.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports two bomb blasts rocked Jerusalem today, killing one person and injuring dozens more. Palestinian groups claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Writer Ann McBride Norton says in China, basketball is becoming a craze. The NCAA playoffs were broadcast live in China last year. And knock-off NBA gear can be found everywhere. Courts on universities and playgrounds are filled with kids playing and parents cheering them on. It is so popular, says Norton, that the sport seems to be creeping into the most unexpected places.

You've heard of walking billboards, but how about dribbling billboards? Noah Adams talks with Dakkan Abbe, president of Fifty Rubies Marketing in New York. Abbe has come up with an idea to use basketball players as human billboards -- by placing temporary tattoos on their arms.

Robert Siegel talks to NPR's Don Gonyea about President Bush's economic speech today in Michigan, before the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce. The president tried to make the case that quick action -- and especially a retroactive tax cut -- is what the sagging economy needs.

NPR's Kate Seelye in Amman reports Arab leaders opened summit talks in the Jordanian capital today. The Palestinian issue tops the agenda, but there are fears that continued tensions between Iraq and Kuwait could mar efforts to present a united Arab stand at the summit.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports on a dispute brewing on how the 2002 Winter Olympics will be characterized. Already, some are nicknaming the games the "Mormon Olympics" because of their location in Salt Lake City. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints not only takes offense at this use of the term "Mormon", but denies that it has any improper influence with Olympic officials.

NPR's Joanne Silberner will have the latest on a new Surgeon General's report on smoking. The focus this year is on women who smoke. Lung cancer and death rates are up, and more teenage girls are smoking. The surgeon general is recommending new anti-smoking campaigns aimed at women and girls.