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Noah talks to Wendy Chavkin, MD, Editor of the Journal of the American Medical Women's Association in New York City, about the likely availability of RU486 and which doctors will prescribe it.

NPR's Jon Hamilton looks at the scientific, legal and political history of RU486 in America.

NPR's Joanne Silberner looks at how the abortion drug RU486 works. She talks to American women who were involved in the studies submitted to the Food and Drug Administration that led to today's approval.

Jean Bethke Elshtain teaches social and political ethics at the University of Chicago. She greets today's decision on RU486 with caution. She worries that the fundamental questions about life and birth and relationships -- the questions that often most divide our society -- are being avoided. She suggests society's search for technological solutions to issues, like a pill to end a pregnancy, helps us avoid dealing with the underlying problems, such as the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Noah and Robert read letters from All Things Considered listeners. This week's topics include the history of the screw (and screwdriver), visions of the Virgin Mary, and the squeezing of baked goods in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. (3:30) You can send e-mail to atc@npr.org or via the post office: Letters, All Things Considered, National Public Radio, 635 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.

At the Olympics in Sydney, the fabled American women's soccer team lost the gold medal game in overtime to Norway. Marion Jones easily won her second gold medal, in the 200 meter dash. Her win was widely anticipated. But as NPR's Howard Berkes reports, there was a major surprise in the men's 200 meters. Konstantinos Kenteris won the gold medal, becoming the first Greek ever win a sprint medal. It was the first time the US didn't take a medal in the event since 1928.

The Olympics bring out the most devoted collectors: scavengers who scoop up spent shotgun shells, lapel pin traders, and high rollers who shell out 100-thousand-dollars for a gold medal winner's swim trunks. At Sydney Olympic Park, just about anything with five rings or a connection to an Olympic athlete seems to be selling. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

Debbie Elliott reports that a federal judge dismissed half of the federal government's 1999 lawsuit against major cigarette makers, handing the tobacco industry a partial victory. The judge ruled that the government could not use two health laws to recover billions of dollars in Medicare expenses used to treat ill smokers. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler said the government could proceed with two other claims under federal racketeering laws.

Republicans now have a slim majority of just six votes in the House of Representatives -- and all 435 seats are on the ballot in November. Democrats are hoping to become the majority if they can sweep the close races on the West Coast. One of the most closely watched of these contests is in California's fabled Silicon Valley, ground zero for the micro-chip and personal computer revolution. NPR's Richard Gonzales reports.

Noah talks to Cathie Carr, Chief Executive Officer of the Escapee RV Club about a fight by RV owners for their right to vote in Polk County, Texas. The RV owners residency is being challenged by Polk County Democrats, on grounds that members of the RV club are constantly traveling, and therefore can not lay claim to a "domicile" in Texas. Carr is furious about the challenge.

NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports on the approval today of the abortion drug RU486. The Food and Drug Administration says the drug is safe and effectively produces an abortion, when used with another commonly available drug. Opponents tried to keep the drug off the market, saying it is unsafe not only for fetuses but also for women. But the FDA said the scientific evidence overwhelmingly favored RU486's approval.

A new study by an advocacy group says putting more people in prison doesn't necessarily result in dropping crime rates. But as NPR's Tovia Smith reports, the study has drawn lots of spirited criticism and debate.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports Israeli police and Palestinian demonstrators clashed in Jerusalem today, just after a visit to the city's holiest spot by Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon.

An article in today's issue of Nature magazine suggests a large single cell organism is capable of solving a labyrinth, finding the shortest distance between it's entry and exit points. Slime Mould experts say this is far from remarkable.

NPR's Martin Kaste talks to Robert Siegel about the OPEC summit underway in Caracas, Venezuela. This is the first summit of OPEC nations in 25 years. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez convened the summit in a bid to reinvigorate the organization, at a time when member nations are benefiting from soaring oil prices. Yesterday, some member nations warned the west against releasing more oil from strategic reserves, saying it could prompt an OPEC response.

NPR's Richard Knox reports on a new study showing that treating HIV infection within days of its occurrence may restore the immune system. A few patients have even been able to stop therapy altogether. But doctors are warning that patients should not stop therapy without consulting their doctors.

Robert talks with Republican pollster Linda DiVall, and Democratic pollster Celinda Lake, who were part of a team of researchers commissioned to survey women's political attitudes this year, about their findings. DiVall is founder of American Viewpoint. Lake is president of Lake Snell Perry & Associates.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr suggests that radio and TV networks benefit as much from soft money contributions as the political candidates do.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau has died, at the age of 80. Trudeau was prime minister for nearly 16 years, beginning in 1968. His party lost power in a 1979 election, but quickly regained it less than a year later, and Trudeau re-took his post until 1984. He was known as one of Canada's most colorful politicians. Robert talks to Jeffrey Simpson National Affairs Columnist stationed in Ottawa, Canada for "The Globe and Mail" newspaper.

Robert talks to David Macaulay, host of the five-part PBS Television Series "Building Big," and author of the book of the same name, about the secrets of constructing huge structures. Macaulay describes some of the equipment, and techniques used to erect dams, skyscrapers, tunnels and giant domes. (8:00) On the Web, see /www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig. The book, "Building Big," by David Macaulay, is published by Houghton Mifflin, ISBN # 0-395-96331-1, publication date October 2000.