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NPR's Economic Correspondent John Ydstie examines the current state of the U.S. economy. Even after two interest rate cuts by the fed, some indicators continue to point toward further problems for the economy. But not all the news is bad. More jobs were created last month than expected. And now some leading economists, including Alan Greenspan, are projecting the economy will grow, albeit modestly, this year.

Ivan Watson reports on the worsening conflict along Guinea's borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone. Hundreds of thousands of civilian refugees are caught in the crossfire.

Commentator and former Oregon Gov. Barbara Roberts laments that there aren't more women governors.

The Philadelphia Orchestra today performed a work composed by a 10-year-old. Jasmine Hernandez, a fifth-grader at Potter Thomas Elementary School in north Philadelphia, wrote Nature Brings as part of a competition. She talks to Linda Wertheimer about the piece.

NPR's Larry Abramson takes a look at the new technology of self-healing plastics. The technique involves filling plastic with microscopic liquid bubbles that break open to fill in the tiny cracks that occur in plastic under impact or stress. The "healed plastic" retains most of the strength found in the original. Soon, this new type of plastic may be used in products ranging from aircraft wings to the doors of your car.

Commentator Susanna Cooper talks about author Arlene Eisenberg, who died last week at the age of 66. Eisenberg co-wrote What to Expect When You're Expecting. Many pregnant women consider the book a must-have, and it has sold more than 9.5 million copies.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with NPR's Tom Gjelten about the U.S. Navy's investigation into the recent submarine collision off the coast of Hawaii. Yesterday, the Navy and Coast Guard called off rescue operations for the nine missing passengers from the Japanese fishing trawler that sunk following the accident.

NPR's Peter Overby reports on Marc Rich's lawyer, Jack Quinn. There have been several raised eyebrows over Quinn's choice of attorney as he faces Senate hearings over the pardon of Marc Rich.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports on George Bush's first trip outside the U.S. since becoming president. Today, Bush will be visiting with Mexico's new leader, Vicente Fox. Fox's electoral victory recently put an end to seven decades of single-party rule in Mexico. He plans to use his mandate to push for an equal partnership with the U.S.

NPR's Debbie Elliott examines how one of Alabama's largest school districts is coping with statewide budget cuts in education. Low property taxes and falling sales tax revenues have left students and parents struggling to preserve funding for extracurricular activities.