Search results for

At the G-8 Summit in Okinawa today, leaders of the richest industrialized nations pledged to close the "digital divide" - the gap in access to technology between developed and developing countries. Demonstrators criticized the assembly for not acting more aggresively to provide debt relief for poor nations. President Clinton also spoke to U-S Marines stationed on the island. From Okinawa, NPR's Eric Weiner speaks with host David Wright about the President's message and what the G-8 meeting has accomplished.

Host David Wright talks with blues singer Koko Taylor. Her first recording in seven years is titled, Royal Blue (Alligator Records, ALCD 4873). It features B.B.King (guitar and vocals) and Keb Mo' (on National Steel Guitar, harmonica, and vocals). Taylor sings both the Chicago and Delta Blues.

As NPR's Tom Goldman reports, 29-year-old Michael Bennett of Chicago is given a good chance to win a gold medal in the heavyweight division of the Olympics, even though he only took up boxing six years ago. Even more surprising than his late start is how he honed his skills: Bennett learned to box from fellow inmates when he was in prison. www.bennettboxing.com

Host Bob Edwards talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep about the possibility that Texas Governor George W. Bush will choose former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney as his running mate. Bush is expected to make the announcement today.

It's summer, time to kick back and take off your shoes. Dave DiFonzo of the Dirty Soles Society takes host David Wright for a walk around Washington without footwear. DiFonzo believes going shoeless in public is healthy, and legal in public buildings. Our host and guest find out if the guards at some Washington landmarks agree. For more information, listeners can go to http://www.barefooters.org.

Commentator Kelly Roberty is a professional musician -- he plays the bass. Recently he sat down with his bass and told us his story of getting addicted to gambling. He lost everything -- more than 70-thousand dollars, his friends and family, his wife left him, and he pawned his bass as part of it all. At rock bottom, he had a breakdown, and an epiphany, an understanding of hope and redemption and courage to turn things around. He explains how he turned it all around. Roberty now is living in Bozeman Montana, is teaching music and will be touring Europe with a jazz sextet later this fall.

NPR's Peter Kenyon examines Capitol Hill's response to the selection of Dick Cheney as George W. Bush's running mate. Republican leaders expressed strong support for the former Defense Secretary and multiple-term Wyoming Congressman. Democrats immediately began attacking Cheney's voting record in Congress, characterizing him as extremely conservative.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Dr. Jerome Segal president of a group called Jewish Peace Lobby, and editor of Negotiating Jerusalem about Segal's Rabbinical declaration. He collected signatures from 300 American rabbis advocating for a shared Jerusalem.

Host Bob Edwards talks with author Tom Keneally about his recent visit to Eritrea. The country is suffering from the results of their two-year conflict with Ethiopia compounded by a drought. There are an estimated one million Eritreans uprooted, with many of them homeless and living in refugee camps.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the collapse of the Middle East peace summit at Camp David. The talks ended yesterday after both sides refuse to compromise the issue of Jerusalem. President Clinton urged both leaders to continue efforts to reach a permanent peace agreement by the self imposed September deadline.