Search results for

NPR's Andy Bowers reports on the potential California gubernatorial candidacy of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. With the state's power crisis ebbing away at Gov. Gray Davis' (D) popularity, many Republicans feel The Terminator is the man who can rescue their party. After all, they note, Ronald Reagan, George Murphy, Sonny Bono and Clint Eastwood parlayed entertainment careers to political office in California.

Electronic data collected by the U.S. surveillance plane may have been destroyed by the crew, but much of the equipment is presumed to be intact. China has recreated equipment and technology in the past. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on how the Chinese may be able to use the plane now in their custody.

Host Bob Edwards talks with George Stevens, San Diego Deputy Mayor, who introduced a resolution to eliminate the word "minority" from all official city documents and discussions. Stevens, an African American, suggests "minority" is a word of subtle discrimination employed by whites. The resolution was approved by the San Diego City Council this month.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on the trial of Parry Wacker, a man caught smuggling 58 Chinese people into Britain last year. Only two of the illegal immigrants survived the journey and Wacker is being charged with manslaughter.

Director Steven Soderbergh. Two of his films are big contenders for Academy Awards on Sunday. His film Traffic has been nominated for Five awards: Best Picture, Best Directing, Best Editing, Best Writing (Adapted), as well as Best Actor in a Supporting Role for actor Benicio Del Toro. His film Erin Brokovich has been nominated for five awards also: Best Directing, Best Picture, Best Writer (original screenplay), as well as Best Actor in a supporting role for Albert Finney, and Best Actress in a Leading role for Julia Roberts. Soderbergh began his career with the low budget hit, Sex, Lies and Videotape. His other films include The Limey, Out of Sight, and Kafka. (REBROADCAST from 1/2

NPR's Julie Rovner reports on President Bush's nomination for director of the Health Care Financing Administration. The organization is unpopular among both congressional representatives and health care providers, but it could play a big role in the future of Medicare and Medicaid under the president's budget plan.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that the Chinese government has reported it is investigating the case of a military official who they say "left China and did not return." U.S. officials have acknowledged that the man, a colonel in the People's Liberation Army, has defected from China to the United States.

NPR's Lynn Neary reports on e-books and their growing popularity. The first "Independent E-book Awards" will be given this weekend at "The Virginia Festival of the Book."

NPR's Van Williamson reports from Chestertown, Maryland, on tomorrow's launch of the schooner, "Sultana" onto the Chester River. Professional builders and volunteers spent four years constructing the vessel, which is more than 50 feet long and weighs 52 tons. It's modeled after a cargo vessel, built in 1768, that the British Navy used to patrol for smugglers. At the time, Chestertown was a deepwater port, 20 miles up the Chester River from the Chesapeake Bay. Today it's a tourist destination.

Actress Michelle Yeow. Shes been called Asias foremost female action star. Shes the lead in Crouching Tiger, Killing Dragon. Yeow has starred in many films including Supercop with Jackie Chan and the 007 thriller Tomorrow Never Dies. Yeow is also a film producer. She is a native of Ipoh, Malaysia, and in fact was once Miss Malaysia. (REBROADCAST from 12/5