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NPR's Joe Palca reports that the Comet Hyakutake is expected this week to be visible with the naked eye. The comet, which was discovered in late January, will pass unusually close to the Earth, hopefully making it unusually bright and therefore easy to see.(3:15) -b- 5. POSTCARD FROM CHICAGO -- An audio postcard from Rick Karr. He knows it's spring, becasue the road repair cres have emerged from hibernation are are tearing-up the streets of Chicago. (2:00) Funder 0:29 XPromo 0:29 CUTAWAY 1B 0:29 RETURN1 0:29 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 1C 6. SECURITY, CHINA AND TAIWAN -- In the first of an occassional series on security issues in Asia, NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that the tensions in the Taiwan Strait raise concerns in the US and much of Asia. China's wargames just miles from Taiwan suggest to some a new militarism, and further tip the balance of US sentiment away from China and toward the tiny island that has emerged from dictatorship to democracy.

An audio postcard from Mandalit del Barco. Spring meand one thing in Hollywood -- the Oscars. And preparations are well underway for Monday night's festivities.

is in Moscow today for talks on NATO expansion into eastern Europe. The issue has received renewed attention after the Russian parliament, now dominated by Communists and nationalists, voted last week to nullify the break-up of the Soviet Union.

Two candidates have dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports that both Senator Richard Lugar and Lamar Alexander have thrown their support to Senator Bob Dole.

about the prospects for peace in light of the recent Hamas suicide bombings.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported a case that's likely to raise new questions about the safety of the nation's blood supply. A Utah man repeatedly tested negative for HIV when he donated plasma even though he was apparently infected with the AIDS virus, according to the CDC. Officials say the case is extremely unusual and the blood supply remains very safe. But NPR's Joe Neel reports that the Food and Drug Administration wants blood banks to start using a new, more accurate test to reduce even further the chances of becoming infected with HIV through a blood transfusion from such donors.

Joanne Silberner reports that today, the House Ways and Means Committee began consideration of a health insurance bill that would guarantee that millions of Americans would not lose coverage because of a pre-existing condition when they become unemployed or switch jobs. The legislation has broad bipartisan support, but House Republicans have tacked on a lot of amendments that are opposed by the Senate. How Senator Dole handles the Republican mavericks in the House has implications for his presidential candidacy.

Tandaleya Wilder of Connecticut Public Radio reports that some residents of Greenwich, Connecticut are in a snit over the issue of private music lessons taught in homes. One teacher hired a lawyer when she was told she was breaking the law by having students pound the ivories in her living room.

NPR's Peter Overby reports..advocates of campaign finance reform haven't given up on the idea of passing a bill this year. One thing they are trying to do is to tie it to public interest issues. For example..saying reform is needed to make sure more women get elected to congress..or to make sure there are toughter cigarette regulations.