February 13, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Jordan Protests -- NPR's Eric Weiner reports that a clash between Jordanian riot police and pro-Iraqi demonstrators today indicates unease by King Hussein over the ongoing U.S. confrontation with Iraq. (4:00)

Mutual Funds -- Robert talks with Steve Norwitz, a vice president with T. Rowe Price Associates in Baltimore. Norwitz talks about the record numbers of people pouring money into mutual funds, and his concern about their unrealistically high expectations. (3:30)

New York Cabbies -- NPR's Margot Adler reports on plans by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to put wireless phones in some city taxis, so that drivers could call 911 to report crimes, fires and other emergencies. (3:30)

Cold Weather and the Dogs -- Commentator Bill Harley is put over the edge by the persistent demands of his dog during a cold winter night. Bill winds up naked and barefooted on the ice in the dark as the result of a petulant canine. (4:30)

Victoria Williams -- All Things Considered host Noah Adams talks with Victoria Williams, a noted singer, songwriter, and co-producer of a new album called "Musings of a Creekdipper." (This report is unavailable due to copyright issues.)

Sierra Leone Junta Ousted -- The BBC's Mark Doyle reports from Freetown, Sierra Leone that a Nigerian-led force is consolidating its hold on the capital city today after ousting the west African nation's military junta. (2:00)

The Republic of Australia? -- John Raedler reports from Sydney on today's decision by a special constitutional convention to hold a national referendum on whether Australia should retain the British monarch as its head of state. (4:45)

Clinton on Russia -- President Clinton responded at a White House ceremony today to Russia's concerns about possible U.S.-led air strikes against Iraq. We'll hear Clinton's reaction to the Russian position on the matter. (2:00)

High-Tech Weapons -- NPR's Dan Charles takes a look at the new high-tech weapons being deployed for possible use in a conflict with Iraq. These so-called "smart weapons" weren't used in the Persian Gulf War and many have never been tested in battle. That's leading skeptics to question whether the U.S. should be so reliant on these new weapons. (6:00)

Caterpillar-UAW Deal -- NPR's Don Gonyea reports from Detroit on the tentative agreement reached today by the United Auto Workers union and Caterpillar. The agreement would end six years of labor unrest at the Peoria-based manufacturer. (3:30)

Hispanic Birth Rate -- A new report says the Hispanic birth rate has reached a record high, and it's expected to continue rising. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports. (3:00)

Lyme Disease -- Lyme disease is expected to be more widespread than ever in 1999. The reason why? There was a bumper crop of acorns last year. NPR's Christopher Joyce explains that scientists have determined that the number of acorns in any given year influences a number of events two years later -- how many gypsy moths will be born, how many mice and deer will be born, and how many ticks will be available to carry Lyme disease parasites. (4:10)

Olymic Luge -- For the first time ever, American athletes captured medals in the Olympic luge competition. The Olympic luge has traditionally been dominated by European countries since the sport was introduced at the 1964 Olympics. (1:00)

Women’s Hockey Finalists -- The U.S. women's ice hockey team will play Canada for the Olympic gold medal on Tuesday in Nagano, Japan. Both teams are undefeated, and advanced to the championship game by compiling the best records in the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament. From Nagano, NPR's Tom Goldman reports on the U.S. team and its rivalry with Team Canada. (5:00)

Golf Cart Fallout -- Robert talks with Stephen Fatsis, a writer who covers sports for the Wall Street Journal, about what could result for professional sports following this week's ruling by a federal magistrate that disabled golfer Casey Martin must be accommodated with the use of a golf cart when he plays professional golf on the PGA Tour. (4:30)

Olympic Radio -- We'll hear an excerpt from the Olympic radio station in Nagano, Japan. The station has been set up for the competitors and tourists and provides information about the Games, as well as music and weather reports. You can connect to the Nagano 98 Web site at: http://wwwus.nagano.olympic.org/news/n_radio_e.shtml and listen to the radio station. (2:00)

One Rose or a Dozen? -- On the eve of Valentine's Day, we asked people if receiving one rose is just as good as getting twelve as a Valentine's Day gift. The opinions are mixed. (3:00)

The Rose Grew ‘Round the Briar -- Nick Spitzer reviews "The Rose Grew Round the Briar: Early American Rural Love Songs". It's a two-CD collection of ballads, blues and parlor songs from the 1920s and 1930s. The music was remastered from the original 78 rpm recordings. (4:30)