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NPR's senior news analyst Daniel Schor reviews this weeks news.

Commentator Douglas Rushkoff says if the endless field of jokes, trivia and information on the Web is good for anything, it's good for starting conversations.

Linda talks sportswriter Stefan Fatsis about the NBA, its free agents, and salary caps. Grant Hill, for example, signed on with the Orlando Magic for a 97-million-dollar contract, rather than stay with the Detroit Pistons for 100-million-dollars. Stefan explains why Hill's making less as a free agent.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow that the collapse of the Soviet sports establishment --and the financial hardships that accompanied it -- haven't dampened the desire of Russian athletes to compete. Even in the frozen reaches of Siberia, they're practicing beach volleyball...hoping one day to play on an actual beach and, perhaps, make it into the Olympics!

We hear an excerpt from Vice President Al Gore's campaign appearance in Chicago today, where he responded to charges made by Republicans at their convention that the last eight years have been wasted by the Clinton-Gore administration.

Linda talks with Washington Post Columnist and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow E.J. Dionne, and Weekly Standard Senior Editor David Brooks, who were both in Philadelphia for the Republican Convention.

NPR's Michael Sullivan reports that the Taliban, which governs most of Afghanistan, has lost much of the goodwill it enjoyed when it came to power six years ago. The Afghan people initially thought the Taliban would bring peace and stability to a country engulfed by war. But the Taliban has continued to pursue an offensive against the military alliance that still controls the northern part of the country. The Taliban also has failed to address the problems that make life in Afghanistan a misery for most people. The economy is in shambles, opium production is rampant and the strict version of Islamic law enforced by the Taliban has greatly restricted the lives of women who previously had enjoyed wide freedom.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on today's lavish celebrations of the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother. The Queen Mum is still adored by millions of Britons who remember her refusal to leave London during the blitz. But today's extravagant festivities have prompted more criticism of the royals and the institution of the monarchy.

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on Vice President Al Gore's speech to union members yesterday in Chicago. In his talk, Gore spoke of how critical working people are in his race for the presidency.

Today is National Mustard Day. John talks with Barry Levenson (no, not the filmmaker) who is the curator and founder of the Mustard Museum in Mount Hoab, Wisconsin ( 2:45).