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NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone is testing the UN's ability to carry out such operations. Yesterday, the Security Council approved another two months for the 13-thousand member force and tabled Secretary General Kofi Annan's proposal to increase the number of UN peacekeepers deployed in Sierra Leone. The UN operation there has proven to be costly and dangerous.

Aileen LeBlanc of member station WYSO reports from Xenia, Ohio, on a tornado that hit the city shortly after seven o'clock last night. The storm flattened buildings and knocked down power lines. One person was killed, and over a hundred were injured.

Oil shortages in Europe and elsewhere in the world have resulted in price increases in the United States -- where gasoline prices are at a ten year high. The nationwide average price of a gallon of unleaded regular is now nearly a-dollar-sixty -- with prices far higher in some locations. The Presidential candidates have been addressing the issue. Democrat Al Gore today proposed tapping the government's emergency oil reserve as a means of lowering prices before the cold weather arrives. NPR's Madeleine Brand reports.

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson returned to Capitol Hill today for a grilling by yet another Congressional committee. Today, it was the House Committee on Government Reform. Questions had to do with the high price of gasoline and home heating fuel. NPR's Brian Naylor reports that Richardson -- like Vice President Al Gore -- has warmed up to the idea of releasing some of the national oil reserves as a means of lowering prices.

Mary Ann Akers of NPR News reports that two House Commerce subcommittees today held the latest in a series of hearings to look at the deaths associated with Firestone tire failures on Ford SUV's. Subcommittee members are considering additional regulations, including new penalties for companies that make defective auto products and a requirement that companies alert U.S. regulators when products are recalled overseas.

Dave Thompson of North Dakota Public Radio reports that yesterday Democratic gubernatorial nominee Heidi Heitkamp announced that she has cancer. Despite her illness, Heitkamp will continue her campaign.

NPR's Ted Clark talks with Host Linda Wertheimer about a candid new report on race relations in the United States. The report was issued by the State Department to comply with a U.N. convention on racial discrimination, ratified by the U.S. in 1994.

Commentator David Frum says the United States has an exceptional energy policy for the past twenty years and should keep it that way.

Host Bob Edwards talks to Christine Brennan, columnist for USA Today, about the U.S versus Norway women's soccer match. Today, Norway beat the United States 3-to-2 to win the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

NPR's Michael Sullivan reports from Jakarta on the latest developments in the case against former Indonesian President Suharto. Today an Indonesian court ruled that the ex-dictator is unfit to stand trial, after an independent medical team found him too sick to face charges he embezzled millions in public funds. The decision has sparked angry protests in Jakarta.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that Yugoslavia electoral body ruled that President Slobodan Milosevic and challenger Vojislav Kostunica must face a run-off vote on October 8 because neither won a majority in the first round. Yesterday, thousands of demonstrators gathered in the streets of Belgrade to protest the decision and to show their support for Kostunica who says he is the clear winner of Sunday's election.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports that both Vice President Al Gore and George W. Bush are pushing their plan on adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare in an effort to attract elderly voters.

Charlene Scott of member station WFCR reports on an art project designed to unite two communities in a Hartford, Connecticut neighborhood. Artist Liz Miller is overseeing the creation of a memory quilt by long-time residents and immigrants. But to get both groups to work together, she's used video portraits and documentaries. The quilt goes on display tomorrow at Hartford's Real Artways Gallery.

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.

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.

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.