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NASA announces it will probably cancel plans to send a robot to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. The president's proposed budget for the agency did not contain funding for the mission. An alternative proposal would send humans to repair the aging Hubble.

German heavyweight boxing champion Max Schmeling was publicly associated with the Third Reich but was not a Nazi and refused an award from Adolph Hitler. Commentator Frank Deford talks about the man and the conflicts that beset him. Schmeling, known for his classic fights against Joe Louis, died last week at the age of 99.

President Bush has tapped Laura Bush to lead an effort to help boys do better in school and stay away from street gangs and crime -- a response to grim statistics on the difficulties boys face. NPR's Michele Norris speaks with the first lady about the initiative.

The University of Colorado is under pressure to fire a professor over remarks he made in an essay on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. Ward Churchill's essay described the attacks as retribution for the United States' foreign policy.

The Bush administration has made Social Security reform a top priority in its second term. In arguing for partial privatization of the system, the president and his supporters warn of dire consequences unless something is done. Bush's critics say he is arguing for overly drastic measures. NPR Don Gonyea reports.

In over 30 years of traveling, writer Eric Hansen has met some odd characters. He details some of his most memorable explorations in a new book of essays called The Bird Man and the Lap Dancer.

In a series of commentaries for All Things Considered over the past 18 months, Holly Rossi described what life was like for the wife of an Army reservist deployed in Kuwait.

For many, the Blackberry is a must-have gadget, a wireless hand-held computer that can send e-mail and make phone calls. NPR's Frank Langfitt reports that as the device wins fans, it's making a cultural impact.

After months of intense negotiations, the House votes 336-75 to pass an anticipated intelligence reform bill. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Peter Hoekstra said in final debate on the bill that it may be one of the most difficult and involved bills in Congressional history. NPR's Andrea Seabrook reports.

House Republicans unexpectedly reinstate a tougher ethics rule governing their leaders. The move overturns a rule that was widely seen as intended to protect House Majority Leader Tom DeLay from having to step down if he is indicted in an ongoing campaign financing investigation. Hear NPR's Andrea Seabrook.