Search results for

NPR's Guy Raz reports from northwest Macedonia that army tanks today began shelling positions held by ethnic Albanian rebels in the hills over Tetovo. The government tonight gave the rebels 24 hours to clear out of the hills -- or face an all-out assault. In the capital, Skopje, the European Union's security chief, Javier Solana, warned the rebels they would achieve nothing by force. The rebels said they were prepared to negotiate, but vowed to continue fighting if the government refuses to grant the Albanian community greater civil rights.

NPR's Peter Overby reports on the first amendment to the McCain-Feingold campaign-finance reform bill that has passed the Senate. By a 70-30 vote, lawmakers approved a proposal that would help level the playing field for candidates who run against rich opponents who finance their own campaigns.

NPR's Steve Inskeep profiles Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. The first-term Republican, who is considered a close friend of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and endorsed him during last year's presidential primaries, is pushing a campaign-finance reform measure that has become the vehicle for those opposed to the McCain-Feingold bill. Hagel's measure, which limits -- but does not eliminate -- soft money contributions, is tacitly backed by President Bush. McCain calls Hagel's bill a "poison pill" that would not change the system in any meaningful way.

Kathy Witkowsky reports that lung damage may be much greater than expected for residents of Libby, MT. Residents were exposed to asbestos from a local mine --and recent health reports indicate even people with no direct contact with the mining operations have sustained asbestos-related lung damage.

Commander Scott Waddle, skipper of the USS Greeneville, stunned a Navy court of inquiry in Hawaii today by taking the stand to testify without immunity. He is taking full responsibility for the sub's deadly collision with a Japanese fishing trawler. Waddle and his attorney had said he would not testify in the inquiry unless assured that his answers would not be used against him in a court martial or other criminal proceeding. But in a dramatic opening statement, Waddle said he wanted to be heard by the families of the nine killed in the Feb. 9 collision. Linda Wertheimer talks with NPR's Andy Bowers who's at the hearing in Pearl Harbor.

American Lori Berenson begins her retrial on terrorism charges in connection with a leftist guerilla plot to seize Peru's Congress. Berenson was originally sentenced to life by a military tribunal five years ago. The retrial comes after the United States complained about a lack of due process in the first trial. Claire Marshall reports from Lima.

For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has taken blood samples from a cross-section of Americans to look for a number of toxic substances. These substances show up in pollutants from industry and in products like cigarettes. NPR's John Nielsen reports some good news; chemicals from second-hand smoke seems to be appearing in blood less frequently. There's worrisome news too; there are lots of other chemicals in our blood about which we know very little.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports on Russia-Ukraine relations after the death of an opposition journalist. Ukraine is trying to lure investors from the West, but the country's reputation for corruption is not helping.

NPR's Margot Adler reports on what some are decrying as the "suburbanization" of New York City. She talks to one design critic who laments that national franchises are replacing the city's local greasy spoons, coffeehouses and boutiques, and taking over street-life. (6:40

Classical Music Critic LLOYD SCHWARTZ reviews a series of concerts by Pierre Boulez and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.