Search results for

The use of biometrics -- identifying people on the basis of physical characteristics -- was once used mainly for law enforcement purposes. Now, it is becoming more common to identify everyday Americans. NPR's Eric Westervelt reports on a Pennsylvania school district that uses fingerprint technology to identify schoolchildren in the lunchroom.

Noah Adams talks with David Smith, assistant principal of Whitwell Middle School in Whitwell, Tenn., about the school's paper clip project. He says that, after the Columbine High School shooting, the principal wanted to find a program to teach students about tolerance. The idea: teach the kids about the Holocaust, in a hands on, interactive way. Smith came up with the idea of collecting 6 million paper clips, to represent the 6 million Jews who died during the Holocaust. He explains who he got the idea, and how the collection involves student research and communication with people from around the world. More info available at: www.marionschools.org/holocaust.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that Japan's Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori met today with other leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party. After saying this weekend that he would step down as prime minister, he now says he did NOT offer to resign. His party is reportedly exasperated with Mori, whose approval rating has dropped into single digit range. Mori will likely be a lame duck by the time he meets President Bush on March 19th at the White House.

NPR's Susan Stamberg talks with two teenage girls about the meaning of loyalty. They say loyalty over boys, school, drugs, or their health, is something they are sorting out on a case-by-case basis.

NPR's David Welna reports that many in Washington are voicing their opinion of the Bush tax-cut plan. The proposal is expected to come before the Senate in May.

NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on the debate over mandatory testing of high school students. Tenth graders in California will be required to take achievement tests next year which could determine whether they graduate.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with Michael Kaiser, the newly appointed president of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of a series of conversations on Morning Edition about leading a divided group. Kaiser is known for his track record of bringing troubled arts organizations back from the brink of collapse. He says the most important facet of leadership is a vision for the future.

Ivan Watson reports that because Nigerian officials have stepped up efforts to stem drug traffic, they've been allowed to begin a direct flight from Nigeria to New York. But many recognize that Nigeria still has many obstacles in the battle against drugs, including a corrupt judicial system.

Michigan Public Radio's Matt Shafer Powell reports from Detroit that many autoworkers are likely to make considerably less money in overtime earnings this year because of production cuts by the big three carmakers. Loss of overtime will mean $20,000 less for some workers, and that will hurt businesses that benefit from workers' non-essential spending.

Host Bob Edwards talks with reporter Caroline Gluck about changes South Korean President Kim Dae Jung has ordered in his cabinet.