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Today is the second day of the eight day observanace of Jewish Passover. In recent years, the multi-billion-dollar kosher food market has grown dramatically. This ancient dietary system is intended to add holiness to the mundane act of eating. But, as Fred Mogul reports from member station WHYY in Philadelphia, selling kosher food is often complicated by factors other than religious law.

Host Bob Edwards talks with Mark Zdechlik of Minnesota Public Radio. They discuss today's long bargained-for agreement between Northwest Airlines and its mechanics union.

NPR's Michelle Kelemen reports that thousands of supporters of Russia's independent NTV television channel rallied in St. Petersburg yesterday, backing what the station's journalists call a fight against the Kremlin to save free media.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says the hardening of the Chinese position is making President Bush's decision about arms sales to Taiwan more difficult.

As Europe fights the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, American farmers are concerned about a possible spread of the disease to their livestock. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with states to develop a uniform, national response if the disease enters the U.S. NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports from Minnesota that many Midwest farmers are already wary.

Commentator Brad Klein tells the story of a treetop mimic in New York City's Central Park. For several years, careful birdwatchers noticed that they heard the Black-Throated Green Warbler weeks before they saw it. This puzzled them -- until someone noticed that the Warbler's song was alternating with that of the White-Throated Sparrow.

When Peter Brook was 7 years old, he staged his own production of Hamlet -- using little cardboard figures. Even then, he says, he felt Hamlet could be a little long. Now a legendary director, Brook is staging a shorter version of the play in a minor league hockey arena. Marcie Sillman of member station KUOW reports.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports on Bush administration plans to propose changes to the UN embargo against Iraq. Washington's plan -- dubbed "smart sanctions" -- is intended to tighten controls on military exports to Baghdad while loosening restrictions on all other goods that benefit the Iraqi people.

Forty-five Armenian-Americans have filed a class action lawsuit against New York Life Insurance Company over unpaid life insurance policies that date back nearly 100 years. The policies were taken out by their ancestors -- who were killed by Turkish forces between 1915 and 1922. New York Life says it's paid the appropriate policies. Nevertheless a settlement is expected to be announced. The case has similarities to those involving unpaid policies taken out by victims of the Nazi Holocaust -- and could lead to other reparations. American Radio Works' Michael Montgomery reports.

The Pittsburgh Pirates opened their home season today in a new baseball park. The day was marked by tributes to Hall of Fame player Willie Stargell, who died early this morning at the age of 61. Linda Wertheimer talks with Robert Dvorchak, a sports writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The White House has named Wisconsin Republican Scott Evertz director of its Office of National AIDS Policy. Evertz is openly gay and activists are praising the appointment, but still express caution about the Bush administration's commitment to fighting AIDS. NPR's Emily Harris has the story.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports that farmers throughout the Pacific Northwest are bracing for a hot, dry summer. Rainfall is half of normal and many fear they could suffer devastating losses.