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Commentator Joel Achenbach laments the rising tide of linguistic inaccuracy-- what he calls the "thing" thing. (3:01) {STATIONS: The book What's What is currently out of print, but available from used-book sellers}

Hes just written a new memoir called The Undiscovered Paul Robeson, the first of a two part series on his father, the famed actor, singer and athlete. He talks about his fathers rise in show business and what it was like growing up as the son of an icon. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports Israelis are marking the 53rd anniversary of the country's independence in a somber mood, amid ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. Israeli troops enforced strict security measures and tightened the closure of the occupied West Bank and Gaza to prevent Palestinian suicide attacks during the holiday.

Dorian Jones in Istanbul reports on a continuing hunger strike by left-wing political prisoners in Turkey. Nineteen of the hunger strikers have died and many others are in critical condition. They are protesting living conditions in newly-built facilities. Turkish officials say they will not bow to the demands of the hunger strikers.

NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that financial officials from around the world are gathering in Washington for meetings this weekend of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The semi-annual meetings will also draw hundreds of anti-globalization protesters. Many of these protesters want the Bank and the Fund to forgive the debts of the world's poorest nations, but the institutions say it would be unwise to speed up the debt relief they are providing.

Commentator Julia King gives her opinion on the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act."

Mexican Filmmaker ALEJANDRO GONZALEZ INARRITU. His debut film "Amores Perros" has just been released in the US to critical acclaim. The film follows the lives of three groups of people whose human relationships parallel the relationships they have with their dogs. Released in Los Angeles theaters in April, the movie was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. Other awards include the Canal Award at Cannes 2000, Grand Prix for Best Film and Best Director at the Tokyo International Film Festival and New Director's Award at Edinburgh.

Davenport Mayor Phil Yerington speaks with Robert Siegel about the flooding of the Mississippi River there, and why the city has resisted building a flood wall.

Scott Aiges reviews the new CD from The Blind Boys of Alabama, called Spirit of the Century. All of the band members are in their 70s, and got their name when they started singing together at the Talledega Institute for the Blind in 1939. They have always sung in the traditional jubilee style -- hymns, spirituals and other Christian music -- with tight harmonies and little if any accompaniment. The new CD puts a fresh new spin on old-time religious music. (5:00) Spirit of the Century by the Blind Boys of Alabama is on Realworld records, catalog # 70876-15319-2-3.

NPR's Nina Totenberg has the second of two reports on what to expect when the Senate begins considering President Bush's nominees to the federal bench. There are 100 vacancies to fill, largely because the Republican- controlled Senate refused to even consider many of President Clinton's nominations. Today's report focuses on the main players. White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales heads a team of young conservative lawyers who are compiling a list of nominees. Republican Sen. Orin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the committee, are trying to work out a set of confirmation rules acceptable to senators from both parties.