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Independent Counsel Robert Ray announced today that his office has ended its investigation of the Whitewater land deal, and found insufficient evidence to charge President and Mrs. Clinton with wrongdoing. That conclusion had been expected, based on indications from the previous Whitewater independent counsel, Kenneth Starr. Ray's statement also says he found no evidence that Mrs. Clinton intentionally withheld billing records from her private law practice that had been sought by the independent counsel, and that turned up months later in a room at the White House.

Misty Hyman, an American, defeated Australia's Susie O'Neill Wednesday for the gold medal in the 200 meter butterfly. O'Neill, nicknamed Madame Butterfly by her countrymen, was heavily favored in the race, and Hyman, a first-time Olympian, reacted to her victory with joyous disbelief. Americans fared well in the pool, also capturing gold in the women's 4x200 freestyle relay. Jenny Thompson anchored the US team, winning her seventh career gold medal. Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands won swimming's glamour event, the 100 meter freestyle, making him the surprise star of the swimming competition. NPR's Howard Berkes reports.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that the International Monetary Fund released its semi annual report today on the world's economy. According to the report strong economic growth is recorded in virtually all the world's regions, and should continue to improve next year.

Commentator Frank Deford unravels the mystery behind why we don't see enough yellow uniforms on the sports field.

Alan Cheuse reviews the latest book by Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood. It's called The Blind Assassin (1:45) The Blind Assassin is published by Bantam Doubleday.

In a report from the annual International Monetary Fund/World Bank meeting in Prague, NPR's Julie McCarthy says managing director Horst Koehler is eager to show that the IMF has become more attentive to the needs of Third World nations it is trying to help. Asian nations in particular felt the IMF imposed unduly harsh conditions in exchange for debt relief during their financial crisis in the late nineties. Faced with planned protests by an array of activists, Koehler also said the IMF is now listening to the concerns of a broad range of non-governmental organizations.

NPR's David Welna reports that for weeks, free of charge, Chicagoans have been able to pick up ping pong paddles and play at any one of three hundred tables set up around the city. It's an attempt to let residents and visitors have some fun whenever the mood and wind seem right.

David D'Arcy reports on a new documentary currently being screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Fighter follows two Czech Jews as they revisit their past during World War Two. It's the feature film debut of American director Amir Bar Levy. Levy was a student in Prague when he first met one of the survivors.

All Things Considered Host Noah Adams profiles Olympian David Hearn, eighteen times the U-S national solo whitewater canoe champion. He's in his third Olympics in Australia. He's trained on the Potomac River for twenty-five years. Now, his wife, Jennifer, is one of his coaches. He's 41-years-old, twice the age of many of his competitors. Hearn says that the slalom course imitates a real whitewater river.

Host Bob Edwards talks to NPR's Tom Goldman about the opening ceremonies at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Today, an estimated crowd of 110-thousand cheering fans welcomed athletes from around the world as they marched into the newly minted stadium.