Y2K Italy
Morning Edition - December 14, 1999
NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports on efforts to make Italy Y2K compliant. Italy is considered to be the least prepared industrialized country. Experts are worried about the country's hospital system. (6:15)

Y2K Mexico
All Things Considered - October 21, 1999
NPR's Phillip Davis reports that Mexico is well-prepared to deal with the Y2K bug come January first. Mexico is the United States' second-largest trading partner, so widespread computer problems there could have a serious ripple effect on the American economy. US firms with links in Mexico have been actively involved in helping their suppliers and subsidiaries get ready. (4:00)

Y2K Ripple Effect
All Things Considered - October 13, 1999
With less than 80 days until the year 2000 begins, Y2K experts are warning that computer problems in other countries could affect the United States. On Wednesday, they told the Senate's Y2K Committee that although the United States may be well prepared for end-of-the-year computer failures, the global economy is so interdependent that major breakdowns could still be felt in America. Witnesses also said that Y2K problems could exacerbate problems in countries struggling to deliver basic services, and that the United States should be prepared to help if they ask for assistance. (3:30)

Y2K Russia
All Things Considered - September 28, 1999
NPR's Michele Kelemen reports that while American officials are warning of potential Y2K computer problems in Russia and other former Soviet republics, Russian officials don't seem too worried. The Russians have spent only modest sums to reprogram computers to correctly read the date 2000. U.S. officials fear the Russian energy sector could be hard hit. But the Russians seem confident they'll be able to cope with any computer malfunctions that occur at nuclear power plants. They dismiss talk of a Chernobyl-type disaster on New Year's Day. (5:30)

Y2K Travel Concerns
All Things Considered - September 15, 1999
NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on the latest announcement from the State Department highlighting those countries which are likely to have severe problems related to Y2K. For Americans who plan to be abroad at the New Year, the report details what troubles travelers can expect in certain countries. (3:13)
Read the State Department's announcement.

Britain Y2K Report
All Things Considered - September 14, 1999
NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from London that the British Foreign Office has released the first installment of a report on worldwide progress toward eliminating the millennium computer bug. The Foreign Office warns of potential problems with energy supplies, transportation and medical equipment in many countries, including the United States, where computer programs have not been updated to read the date "2000." In Washington, the State Department also released a Y2K preparedness report intended to give travel guidance to U.S. citizens. (4:00)

Y2K France
Morning Edition - March 15, 1999
Jim Bitterman has a commentary on how the French are dealing with the Y2K problem. (2:54)

Y2K Russia
All Things Considered - March 2, 1999
NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that Russian defense officials are playing down U.S. concerns about Russia's capacity to cope with the Y2K bug. American defense officials are worried that computers used in Russia's nuclear power industry, missile launch and early warning systems will be thrown off by not being able to read next year's date correctly. Russian general Vladimir Dvorkin says that even though the Russian military has allocated only $4 million to reprogram its computers, he doesn't see a big risk of an accidental missile launch. (3:30)

Y2K China
Weekend Edition Sunday- January 10, 1999
NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports on efforts by China's government to address the problem. (5:30)

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