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Scott speaks with NPR's Tom Gjelten about how the U-S/NATO mission in Bosnia, so far, is succeeding.

Scott talks with geologist Mike Warner of London University's Imperial College. Dr. Warner led a team of British scientists to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to study a giant crater created by a meteorite that landed on the earth 65 million years ago. It's believed this meteorite may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The United States continues to complain that China is NOT cracking down on operations that copy computer software, movies and music. NPR's John McChesney reports that the piracy business continues to boom in China, costing American software manufacturers millions in royalties. But counterfeiting operations also are hurting Chinese software businesses, who say they cannot compete with the low priced-software available on the black market.

Chris Arnold reports on Scott Cook and Tom Proulx (PROO), founders of Intuit, the hugely successful creater of home finance computer software. Ten years ago, the company almost went under, but they manaaged to survive by mortgaging their homes, borrowing from their parents' retirement money, and working very long days. Now, they sell "Quicken," the most popular home finance program in the world.

NPR's Dan Charles reports on a congressional hearing held today on airplane safety inspections. During the hearing, an Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector testified from behind a screen, with his voice distorted, that FAA safety inspections are inadequate. The FAA defended its inspections, saying the agency was doing the best it could with limited resources.

Commentator Andrei Codrescu is quite struck by Timothy Leary's decision to have his suicide be a live event on the internet.

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports that many while politicians got caught up in the debate over "whole language" reading instruction, many teachers have begun searching for a middle way that adds classic "phonics" instruction. "Whole language" stresses using good literature to get kids interested in reading, while phonics has emphasized basic reading skills--the ability to sound out words--and for years, supporters of the two systems have argued over which is more effective. Now, states like California, which was heavily invested whole language, are returning to phonics, but many educators are saying the best way is to combine the two approaches.

NPR's Joe Palca reports on the murky ethical questions that can arise during medical research. Palca tells the story of a woman with multiple sclerosis who volunteered to test an experimental drug. She says she was promised a free supply of the medication in exchange for her participation. Medical ethicists say patients should never be made promises like that, and should not enter studies with the expectation that they will benefit personally.

Barbara Bradley reports on the case of Fauziya Kasinga, the Togolese women who is seeking asylum in the United States to avoid being circumcised as part of a marriage ritual. The case, which goes before the US Board of Immigration Appeals on Thursday, is expected to open the doors for women fearing female genital mutilation.

Pierce thinks its a good idea.