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NPR's Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem on the vandalism of a reform Jewish center by apparent Orthodox Jews. The attack was the second in as many weeks on a non-Orthodox religious building in Israel.

Robert talks to Defense Secretary William Cohen, about tonight's test, and the pros and cons of developing a missile defense system.

NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports that money fertilizes everything in Seattle, sprouting important architecture, philanthropy, and new companies. Most of the money comes from the software, telecom and Internet worlds. Prakash reports on an incipient trend: software moguls using some of their millions to attack problems that technology hasn't been able to solve so far -- like a cure for cancer.

We hear a portion of a stump speech by Vice President Al Gore to the National Council of La Raza in San Diego, California earlier this week.

NPR's Gerry Hadden reports on Mexican president-elect Vicente Fox's plans for restructuring key government ministers in an effort to fight endemic corruption. Fox is stripping the all-powerful Interior Ministry of much of its duties, and creating a new ministry in charge of federal police and intelligence services. He's also taking some powers away from the attorney general's office.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that the World Bank will not make a controversial loan to China to settle 58,000 poor farmers on land that Tibetans consider sacred. Pro-Tibetan activists hail the decision as a victory. The resettlement project was opposed by human rights groups as well as the United States. Bank directors let the loan die after refusing a recommendation from Bank president James Wolfensohn to further assess the project's social and environmental impact. China said it would finance the resettlement on its own.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on Toysmart, an online toy retailer that is declaring bankruptcy and wants to sell its customer list, despite the privacy policy posted on its Web site that said it wouldn't do that. The federal government could take action, if it decides the company deceived customers.

NPR's Brenda Wilson has a special report on South Africa's explosive AIDS epidemic. The crisis is rooted in South Africa's history and the movement of its people. Labor migrations have occurred in South Africa since the beginning of the century. In the decade of the 1970's, under Apartheid, three-and-a-half-million black South Africans were forcibly relocated to rural homelands. The number of men who moved to industrial centers for work, living away from their wives and families for months at a time, significantly increased. Then, in the late 1980's, as white South Africans were being forced to relinquish political power, AIDS hit the country. Greater freedom for blacks brought an increase in travel between homelands and industrial centers and the AIDS epidemic moved with the people. Dependence on cheap, black labor and the removal of black South Africans to the homelands is continuing to drive the epidemic. A tenth of the population of South Africa is now infected with the AIDS virus.

Democrats charged with writing a platform for their party and their presidential nominee met in St. Louis today to hear ideas and discuss policy. The platform committee is led by elected officials known as centrists within the party, and their mission is to craft a document that Vice President Al Gore will be comfortable talking about. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports.

Fewer jobs than expected were added to company payrolls in June. That's further evidence that the U.S. economy is slowing down a bit. The number of new jobs grew by a scant 11,000 during the month -- excluding the number of temporary government workers hired to help with the census. The news gave stock and bond prices a lift. Investors are hoping that the latest report will persuade the Federal Reserve that it no longer needs to raise interest rates. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

Robert talks to Wayne Barrett, an investigative reporter for the Village Voice, in New York City and author of Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Guiliani. (5:00) Barrett's book about New York City Mayor Giuliani is published by Basic Books, 7/10/00.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that Hong Kong, in response to its experience during the Asian economic crisis is trying to diversify its economy. The city has become rich over the years on the basis of real estate speculation and finance. Now, it is building a huge cyberport in hopes of turning Hong Kong into the internet hub of Asia. The problem is that internet startups are based on speculation and wild speculation is what got Hong Kong into trouble during the Asian economic crisis.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports the Pentagon will test a missile defense system over the Pacific Ocean tonight. A rocket -- armed with a dummy warhead -- will be launched from California. Another rocket will be launched from an island hundreds of miles away, carrying an "interceptor" that's intended to shoot down the first rocket. The operation is part of a series of tests that will ultimately be used in deciding whether to proceed with the deployment of such a defense system.

Ever wonder why ants manage to get to your food so quickly at a picnic? NPR science reporter John Nielsen has the answer, and more from the world of science.

Some Israelis and Palestinians aren't waiting for the end of peace talks to resolve their differences - they're finding common ground through shopping. NPR's Linda Gradstein reports.

Karen Schaefer of member station WCPN (Cleveland) reports from Sandusky, Ohio that this summer many seasonal jobs in the nation's resorts and tourist attractions are being filled, not by U.S. students, but by students from other countries.

On Tuesday, Israeli president Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are scheduled to start another round of peace talks at Camp David, Maryland. Host Jacki Lyden speaks to former Israeli journalist, and Washington Institute for Near East Policy fellow David Makovsky, about why these talks may be the last chance for peace in the region.

The National Story Project with Paul Auster is entering its last few months. If you're planning to send us a story, the time is now! Send entries to nationalstoryproject@npr.org; or PMB 206, 123 Seventh Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Ten years ago, musician David Byrne followed a passion of his and started a world music label. The unassuming Luaka Bop Records was originally created to release a few Brazilian compilations, but it has grown to include music from Cuba, Africa, the Far East, and beyond. Host Jacki Lyden travels to the Luaka Bop offices in David Byrne's townhouse in Greenwich Village, and encourages him to dig out a few of the records that inspired him. (19:00) (Featured music appears on the CD's Tom Ze - Best of Tom Ze - Volume 4 [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49049]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 3 - Diabla Al Infierno: New Directions in Cuban Music [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49028]; Various Artists - Cuba Classics 1 - Greatest Hits of Silvio Rodriguez: Canciones Urgentes [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49026]; Los Amigos Invisibiles - The New Sound of the Venezuelan Gozadera [EMD/Luaka Bop Catalog # 49042].

All Things Considered staff member Debra Schifrin talks about her recent 10 year high school reunion in the San Francisco Bay area. Having lived on the East Coast for six years, she was shocked at how the incredible wealth that has flooded Silicon Valley has affected her high school class. And she was surprised at her own reaction to all the talk about money.