Search results for

NPR film critic Bob Mondello reviews the Oscar nominated art film Pollock, directed and produced by — and starring — Ed Harris. It took him a decade to finish the movie. Mondello says it was worth it.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports shortages of other forms of energy are creating new interest in nuclear power. In Vermont, one of the nation's oldest nuclear power plants is attracting multiple bids. And the potential buyers say the future of nuclear is again looking bright.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh to spend his remaining time on earth as a vegan. Commentator John Ridley says PETA's choice for celebrity spokesperson is a stroke of genius.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr wonders why President Bush "chose this moment to open a national and international argument" about missile defense.

NPR's Barbara Bradley reports that the Bush administration has decided to end the practice of consulting the American Bar Association about potential nominees for federal judgeships before making their names public. For nearly 50 years, both Republican and Democratic presidents have consulted the ABA about judicial nominees before announcing them. Conservatives are pleased with the decision because they say that the ABA has a liberal bias.

Eugene Sonn reports that just three days after kicking off his gubernatorial campaign, New Jersey's acting governor is pulling out of the race. Donald DiFrancesco stepped up to the post when former Gov. Christine Whitman joined the Bush administration. DiFrancesco is accused of misconduct in an earlier political position.

Eric Engleman reports from Moscow that Russian space officials have rebuffed a U.S. request to delay Saturday's scheduled lift-off of a Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. NASA wants the Russians to delay their flight, because the U.S. space shuttle Endeavour has to spend extra time docked to the space station working on computer problems. The Soyuz will be carrying two Russian cosmonauts and American millionaire Dennis Tito. Over NASA objections, the Russians agreed to take Tito up to the station after he reportedly paid $20 million.

New numbers from the American Public Transportation Association say that public transportation use rose 3.5 percent in the past year, the highest level in more than four decades. Americans also drove 2.7 trillion miles last year, the same amount as in 1999. Linda Wertheimer speaks with James Hughes about the figures and what they mean for public transportation. Hughes is the dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

NPR's Allison Aubrey reports on a group of people who have learned to ride the ups and downs of the current "bear market." They're day-traders, and while many of the amateurs in their ranks were driven out after a few initial lucky trades, some are still plugging away -- and making a profit.

The 24 crew members of the American reconnaissance plane will be debriefed by U.S. officials about their experience, starting with the accident that forced their emergency landing on Hainan Island. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on the debriefing process.