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The nuclear talks ground to a halt in 2019.

NPR's John Ydstie concludes his series on reforming the social security system with an examination of the plan favored by the advisory council's chairman, Ned Gramlich. Gramlich's proposal occupies the middle ground between the other two plans. It also relies on the financial markets to boost retiree benefits, but without redirecting a large chunk of the payroll tax into personal retirement accounts.

NPR's Joe Palca reports that NASA has sent teams to California and Arizona to expand its ground search for debris from the space shuttle Columbia. Large pieces, possibly one or more engines, have been located in Louisiana. The loss of Columbia is forcing NASA to reevaluate the future of the international space station. The space station is not in immediate danger, because a Russian supply vehicle docked with it yesterday.

NPR's Eric Westervelt reports on President Bush's appearance at the Democratic legislative retreat in Pennsylvania yesterday. Mr. Bush continued his attempt to charm the opposition. Though some members seemed charmed, he faced tough questions from Democrats, many of whom remain skeptical of finding common legislative ground with the new president.

Tina Fey, the first female head writer of Saturday Night Live, talks about her status as a ground breaker and role model.

The space shuttle Columbia disaster leaves Russia's space program with the responsibilty of maintaining the international space station while shuttle flights are grounded. Russia says it needs U.S. financial help to achieve that. NPR's Lawrence Sheets reports.

Pentagon officials say they're starting to see a breakdown among Republican Guard forces outside Baghdad as ground battles and heavy airstrikes take their toll. The Pentagon also raises the possibility that Saddam Hussein is dead or in flight. Hear NPR's Jennifer Ludden.

Fracking is a way of bringing up natural gas by pumping water and chemicals into the ground. Germany's powerful beer industry is worried that fracking would pollute groundwater.

The San Francisco Zoo was closed Wednesday as police swept the zoo grounds after a tiger escaped Tuesday, killing a 17-year-old and mauling two others. The Siberian tiger was shot and killed by police officers.

In a land where the ground is always frozen, one creature has nourished man both physically and spiritually. Anthropologist Piers Vitebsky discusses The Reindeer People, his book about the Eveny herders of Siberia.