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Linda talks with Harley Shaiken, a labor specialist at the University of California at Berkeley, and David Cole, director of the Office for the Study of Automotive Transportation at the University of Michigan, about the strike at General Motors that has shut down 21 assembly plants across the country and threatens to escalate into a national ordeal. Cole talks about the industry's push to become leaner and their use of "just-in-time manufacturing." Following the lead of Japan, GM now keeps only a very small supply of critical components, like brakes, in stock. Shaiken explains how this practice gives union strikes considerable leverage because a small number of strikers can paralyze a large organization.

about the start of the NCAA basketball tournament.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that North Carolina's legisture will meet in special session to decide what to do with a billion and a half dollar surplus in state's unemployment insurance fund. Due to strong economy and low unemployment, state has accumulated surplus. Republicans want to give cut rate, or refund tax to businesses that pay it.

of three GOP presidential hopefuls: Bob Dole, Lamar Alexander and Pat Buchanan.

Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem on the the aftermath of the suicide bomb attacks, including the disclosure that an Israeli Arab drove the latest suicide bomber into Tel Aviv. The continuing crackdown against Palestinians suspected of being terrorists has left moderate Palestinians nervous that Israel is through with the peace process.

Despite finishing behind Dole, Buchanan remains enthusiastic about his candidacy, and has promised supporters that he isn't about to give up.

in New York City to hear what callers had to say about today's Republican primary in New York State.

Eric Westervelt of New Hampshire Public Radio reports that many New Hampshire voters still have not decided who they will vote for in Tuesday night's primary. And many of those who do have a preference say they could still change their minds. Voters say this indecision is due in part to their lack of enthusiasm for any of the Republican candidates. The volatility of the electorate makes it impossible to predict who will win what is shaping up to be a tight three-way contest.

NPR's Ed Lifson reports that both United Airlines and Boeing are trying to downplay the significance of a letter United sent to Boeing complaining about the performance of Boeing's new 777 jets. A United executive said the new jet's performance was a major disappointment. Boeing officials said the letter and complaints were routine.

Candidate Lamar Alexander says he has fresh ideas while the other candidates don't. We'll listen to what he says about these fresh ideas, which include creating a military force to handle drugs and immigration, handing responsibility for welfare to local charities and allowing members of a new "citizen Congress" to hold other jobs.

NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports that China's war games and missile tests have apparently failed to cow the Taiwanese on the eve of Taiwan's presidential election.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports that as the closure of the West Bank and Gaza strip continues, people are becoming frustrated and angry with Israel. Some say there could be a backlash against the peace process.

Howard Berkes introduces us to a sound engineer whose passion is national forests and their endangered sounds.

to ban all non-academic clubs from the city's high schools. The measure was taken to avoid sanctioning a gay and lesbian club at one high school. School board officials maintain that federal law provides an "all or nothing" option, but others claim the move is homophobic.

and reports on reaction by the conservative commentator's supporters to last the night's primary results.

Roving correspondent Bob Garfield tells the story of Phil Frankenfeld. Since he earned his PhD seven years ago, the political scientist has been sending hundreds of letters and commentaries to journalists and academics in a fruitless attempt to land a job. In the meantime, he's been writing poems, constructing anagrams and generally trying to find volunteer work for his intellect.

in the very competitive health care market and it is becoming more and more difficult for them to fulfill their mission of ministering to the poor.

Linda talks with Walter Mossberg about political sites on the World Wide Web. This year's presidential candidates have home pages with speeches and position statements. Other sites have detailed polling information and news of the presidential race. Walter Mossberg is a columnist who writes about computers and the World Wide Web for the Wall Street Journal.

about the latest Israeli security measures.

Commentator Lee Cullum says the rise of Pat Buchanan is a disaster for the country. If he contiues to win, he will destroy relations with other nations and make the politics of hate acceptable and tolerable. While Buchanan is right to worry about corporate downsizing and job losses, Cullum maintains he's wrong if he thinks he can reverse that trend with protectionism.

In France today, Jeanne Calment [zhahn kal-MAWN] celebrates her 121st birthday in her hometown of Arles (AHRL). She has recently become a recording star, of sorts, with a release called "La Farandol." We hear a selection.

NPR's Jon Greenberg reports that the Harold Ickes, top political operative at the White House, testified today before the Senate Whitewater Committee. Republicans questioned his credibility and hinted that the White House is deliberately delaying release of requested documents. The committee is continuing hearings on the Clinton administration's response in early 1994 to investigations into the Clintons' real estate dealings in Arkansas.

Professor of Government at Colby College, about how the leading Republican Presidential candidates are doing in their efforts to raise campaign money. They discuss how much each candidate has and how much he needs. Over the next six weeks, the leading candidates are expected to spend substantial sums on television ads.

NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports that the Library of Congress' employee union is challenging the library's practice of ordering psychiatric exams for certain workers. The union says the library uses the practice to get rid of employees who had disputes with their supervisors. Library officials say they have used the tests to help workers and protect the institution.