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Jan Ziff surveys some of the better known science programs for computers. She says there are a lot of interesting titles out there, but parents need to remember that no software is a tool for learning not a magic wand.

Linda talks with James Stewart, whose new book "Blood Sport" chronicles the Whitewater affair. Stewart has been criticized by some for the "novelization" of this story. Assertions like "Jim McDougall thought" and "Mrs. Clinton presumed" left many wondering how based in fact his account really was. Stewart defends his work, and concludes that the entire Whitewater affair raises questions about how Mr. and Mrs. Clinton could have better dealt with the situation, without letting it cast a shadow on his administration and without hurting many eager public servants who came to Washington from Arkansas and were inevitably burned by Whitewater.

Suzan Lori Parks is one of the hottest playwrights on the New York scene. The Public Theatre is presenting (starting next week) her latest work for the stage, "Venus." She wrote the screenplay for Spike Lee's latest ("Girls 6") and she's been contracted to write another. Charlene Scott reports.

Daniel talks with Scott Hernandez, a student at Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada. Hernandez helped organize a no-swearing campaign at his school because an earlier survey of students and teachers showed that most people at Reed High perceived swearing as the number one problem. The 'two bleeping weeks' campaign is an effort to get students and teachers alike to think about the language they use, and not to take swearing for granted.

Commentator Elissa Ely's dog helps her befriend all the old Portugese widows in her apartment building.

In the first of an occassional series on security issues in Asia, NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that the tensions in the Taiwan Strait raise concerns in the US and much of Asia. China's wargames just miles from Taiwan suggest to some a new militarism, and further tip the balance of US sentiment away from China and toward the tiny island that has emerged from dictatorship to democracy.

Long time ATC Commentator Jerry Stern died last night of cancer. We remember him and his contributions to this program.

A jury convicted Lyle and Eric Menendez of first-degree murder today for the 1989 slayings of their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The jury rejected the claim that the brothers killed their parents to end years of abuse. Virginia Biggar reports from Los Angeles on today's verdict.

NPR's David Welna reports that life for Cuba's beleaguered dissident movement has gotten even harder in recent weeks. Since shortly before last month's downing of two American planes by Cuban jets, Fidel Castro's police have stepped up their harassment and arrests of the Cuban leader's opponents. Castro has not chosen to completely crush the dissidents, however; he apparently feels he must tolerate a certain amount of dissent as part of his effort to attract foreign investment.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the mindset of a suicide bomber. Today Israeli security forces demolished the home of one of the suicide bombers -- and despite their loss of property, the bomber's family and friends say he's a hero.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports that the Clinton administration has condemned Cuba for yesterday's shootdown of two unarmed civilian planes. The U.S. says the planes were flying over international waters when they were downed, although a third plane did stray into Cuban airspace. That plane was not downed.

The internet may test our rules for what on-line democracy means..but our commentator Stuart Cheifet says this industry may provide us with an ideal candidate for president.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports on the diplomatic tangle with China over its failure to curb counterfeiting of American intellectual property. Computer software, CDs, and numerous other easily copied goods continue to pour out of China a year after the Chinese government agreed to crack down on this trade. American companies say they're losing billions, but they don't speak with one voice. Microsoft, for example, wants sanctions, but Boeing fears the Chinese will retaliate by buying planes elsewhere.

The Senate voted 59-40 today to pass a product liability bill. The legislation would cap the amount of punitive damages businesses would have to pay in lawsuits involving faulty products. President Clinton had threatened to veto the bill, but today said he would reconsider if some changes were made in it. NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports.

The BBC's Chris Florence in Bangalore, India, reports on extraordinary security measures in place for this weekend's World Cup Cricket match between India and Pakistan. One group has already been arrested for inciting riot. The rivalry goes beyond sports, into national hatreds.

Finland may seem an unlikely place for internet activity, but in a recent ranking of countries based on internet computers, Finland was the clear winner. Danny talks with the managing director of Finland's largest internet provider to find out why.

Following news that the mayors of Athens and Sparta today signed a symbolic peace agreement ending the Peloponnesian War, NPR's Neal Conan speaks with some modern scholars of classical times to find out why this conflict is still studied some 2,500 years after it ended.

For the third time since last fall, much of the federal government faces a shut-down on Friday. Legislation to appropriate funding for the rest of the year is on the Senate floor today, and the House has already passed its own bill. But President Clinton, who wants more spending for social programs, is threatening a veto. Senate Republicans say they will probably extend funding for two weeks while both sides work out a compromise. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

NPR'S Margo Adler reports that at Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, the Israeli flag is draped outside the building wall, and inside students walk about in shock, or sit in the sanctuary praying. This is where Matt Eisenfeld was a student. He was one of two Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Israel

Chris Nuttall ((NUT-uhl)) reports from Ankara, Turkey, that a chasm has opened between the United States and Europe over arming the Bosnian government. Thirty countries had come to Turkey at the request of the United States to talk about helping the Bosnians build an effective fighting force. Studies show the Bosnians need 800-million-dollars. The U.S. will contribute a hundred-million-dollars in military stocks. Not one European Union country made an immediate pledge.