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NPR's Richard Knox reports from the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa that a widely used spermicide, once thought to prevent the spread of HIV, may actually increase the risk of transmission. New research suggests nonoxynol-9 can increase the likelihood that some women will be infected with HIV. The study was presented today.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports from Cuba on Fidel Castro's "doctor diplomacy." Since 1963, Cuba has sent some 25,000 doctors to work in the developing world. But lately Havana seems to be changing its approach: it has opened a special school to train medical students from across Latin America. Cuba is footing the bill for the more than three thousand students in the initial class. After they graduate, they will return to their countries to work in underserved areas.

A brief summary of some of the other news on today's program.

When United Airlines and US Airways announced that they wanted to merge, the plan included the creation of a new airline - DC Air - which would be owned by Media Mogul Robert Johnson, of Black Entertainment Television. Commentator Leon Wynter says the prospect is a windfall for Johnson, who Wynter contends has turned his media empire into America's official black brand.

Vice President Al Gore brought the NAACP convention delegates to their feet today. Welcomed as a "member of the family," the Democratic presidential candidate served up Scripture, promises to fight hate crimes and discrimination, and tough talk about his Republican rival and GOP leaders in Congress. NPR's Anthony Brooks reports from Baltimore.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr wonders if The New York Times did journalism a disservice -- going too far to mask the identity of a source inside Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's office.

The governing body of world soccer competition is investigating the circumstances surrounding yesterday's vote which awarded Germany the right to host the 2006 World Cup. A key delegate from New Zealand -- who had been expected to vote for South Africa to host the competition -- abstained, and Germany ended up winning by one vote. New Zealand delegate Charles Dempsey says he abstained because he came under intolerable pressure for his vote, receiving bribe attempts and letters of intimidation. Robert talks to Simon Greenberg, Sports Editor for the London Evening Standard about the story.

Reviewer Mark Jenkins reviews the CD by Indian Sitarist Ananda Shankar and a British DJ known as State of Bengal. It's a pop mix of hip beats and Indian pop music. (3:30) Note: The CD is "Ananda Shankar and the State of Bengal." It's on the Real World Records label.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that Russian authorities are investigating several business tycoons for crimes ranging from tax evasion to embezzlements. Some see this as the beginning of a long-needed crackdown on the so-called oligarchs, moguls who have had cozy ties with the Kremlin. Other Russians worry these cases could be politically motivated.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has elected its first female bishop. Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the Pastor of Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church in Baltimore, Maryland, was elected along with three other Bishops at A.M.E. convention in Cincinnati last night. She talks to Linda Wertheimer about her new role in the church.

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on the dilemma facing states that have passed bans on so-called "partial birth" abortions. When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Nebraska law that outlawed the procedures, it cast Constitutional doubt on similar laws in twenty-nine other states. Abortion opponents in several of those states are working to craft new bans. They hope rewritten laws will be able to pass Constitutional muster. But it may not be an easy task.

A case of the virus, which claimed a 12-year-old boy's life, has sparked fears of a new outbreak in India. Researchers fear that the deadly disease has the potential to cause global outbreaks as well.

At least 10 hospitals in the state started rationing care for everyone because they're filled with COVID-19 patients. But there's deep distrust of authority.

Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, a Republican, is the frontrunner in the group of candidates trying to take Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's seat in the recall election Tues., Sept. 14.

Alex Schwartz is on a lifelong mission to taste and review as many fresh apple cider doughnuts he can get his hands on. And he's already mapped out the New England hot spots.

Leaf through the most recent Arizona budget and you'll find everything from a mask mandate ban to voting restrictions. A new lawsuit say those aren't budget items, they are political horse trading.

The pandemic forced many people to work from home. Now, a lot of workers want to keep that setup, at least some of the time.

The Rev. Megan Rohrer will lead one of the church's 65 synods, overseeing nearly 200 congregations in Northern California and northern Nevada.

David Greenberger reviews the CD Winners Never Quit, by Pedro the Lion. The band is a trio, but the creative force behind all the music and lyrics is David Bazan. You might find this CD in your record store under the category Christian rock. But Bazan might bristle at that categorization. The album weaves together songs about faith and doubt, without preaching or proselytizing.

NPR's John Burnett reports on the case of Cesar Fierro, a Mexican national who is on death row for killing an El Paso taxi driver. Fierro confessed to the crime - but now, even the prosecutor in the case admits that the confession was coerced. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the error was harmless, and Fierro's chances at a new trial are remote.