Search results for

The Japanese have worked hard for the last 50 years to build their economy into one of the most dominant in the world. But now that they have earned that status, they would like to have some fun with their money. NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that theme parks are a favorite destination for Japanese travellers. In Japan, the original park, Tokyo Disneyland, has been joined by a multitude of others... one run by video-game giant Sega, another featuring miniature models of famous world landmarks, and another with virtual reality rides.

Commentator Marianne Jennings confesses that she has average kids...they don't hold concerts with Luciano Pavarotti, and they don't do flips on the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team. She sometimes feels lazy for not taking them from lesson to lesson, but she realizes that having average kids is a tribute to parents who don't have to live vicariously through their children...and have the inner strength to give a child a childhood.

Linda talks with Ronald Boster (BOSS-ter) about the economic plan Dole announced yesterday. Dole said if he were elected president he would cut taxes by 15 percent across the board and also balance the budget by the year 2002. Boster says Dole's plan would not allow for government savings and investment. Boster is a vice president of the business-supported Committee for Economic Development and a former GOP aide to the House Budget committee.

Noah talks with Sally Friedman about her new memoir, detailing her training as a long-distance swimmer, planning to swim the English Channel, and the death of her husband Paul on the eve of her departure for England. Paul's death was six years ago and he remains young in her mind; she, however, feels much older, having more in common with the widows she knows in her New York neighborhood.

reports on US hopes for a pan African peacekeeping force

reports on a new group of vigilantes operating in Russia.

- Jackie speaks with the BBC's Owen Bennet Jones in Geneva about an unusual and problematic proposal that Switzerland has received from the World Hindu Federation. The federation is asking the Swiss government to ship 230,000 Swiss cows to Nepal. Jones says the animals may be infected with Mad Cow Disease and have been slated for destruction. The federation argues the animals will be protected in Nepal, where they are considered sacred.

and Weekend Edition's sports commentator Ron Rapoport discuss baseball.

The thirty-sixth Republican National Convention opened today for what amounts to a four-day salute to presidential candidate Bob Dole and his running mate Jack Kemp. The opening session was devoted to consideration of the party platform, but the most contentious differences -- over the party's position on abortion -- were resolved last week. The message of the convention has been scripted, but some moderate Republican governors say they feel excluded. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

that would deny public education to children whose parents are in the country illegally. Such an immigration amendment is scheduled for consideration next month, when Congress returns from summer recess.