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Host Madeleine Brand talks to Roger Dumars, a reporter with the South China Morning Post, about a series of historic family reunions happening in North and South Korea. Dozens of families from both countries will travel across their boarders to see relatives for the first time in fifty years. The reunions are part of number of conciliatory gestures between North and South Korea, agreed to a summit of their leaders last June.

Nick Wood reports from the town of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo, that NATO-led peacekeepers seized control of the dilapidated Trepca mining complex today, prompting angry protests from local Serbs. The United Nations administration in the province said it was closing the mines as a health measure, because the Trepca smelters were spewing out toxic fumes. The head of the UN administration, Bernard Kouchner, said an international consortium plans to renovate the mines and eventually reopen the facility.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that when outgoing presidents pass the baton to their vice presidents, antipathy and ego have a history of complicating the hand-off.

Noah talks with Andrew Schneider, Senior National Correspondent for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, about an asbestos company that allegedly knew it's products could cause cancer as long ago as the 1970's. The Public Health Service asked the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to issue an alert. The asbestos is found in vermiculite made by the W.R. Grace Co., which is used in everything from potting soil to insulation. The Health Service says even casual handling of the material could expose people to 150 times the amount of asbestos considered safe under federal regulations.

When African slaves escaped from Brazil into Uruguay, they brought their Candomble religion and music, which metamorphosed into Condombe, a vibrant music embraced by black and white Uruguayans. It's now used in everything from the tango to protest songs. But some say Condombe's essence is being lost to commercialization. Reese Erlich reports.

Commentator Michelle Serros says despite the hue and cry over pop culture's Latin American Explosion recently, the phrase reminds her instead of childhood experiences long before Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez.

Alan Cheuse reviews a novel called Dear Mr. Kawabata, by Rashid Al-Daif, a Lebanese poet and novelist who teaches at the Lebanese University in Beirut. His novel has just been published in the United States in a translation by Paul Starkey. (1:30) Please Note: Dear Mr. Kawabata is published by Interlink.

Washington Correspondent for The New York Times MELINDA HENNEBERGER. Shes writing a series of biographical profiles on Al Gore. 12:28:30 FORWARD PROMO (:29)12:29:00 I.D. BREAK (:59)12:30:00...

British actress BRENDA BLETHYN (like –Beth— BLETH-in). Shes starring in the new comedy –Saving Grace— about a middle aged widow whose irresponsible husband left her in huge debt. She decides to start growing marijuana in her greenhouse instead of orchids. BLETHYNs other films include Mike Leighs –Secrets and Lies— (she was nominated for an Oscar) and –Little Voice.— Rock critic KEN TUCKER reviews two new CDS by Juiliana Hatfield, –Beautiful Creature— and –Total System Failure.— (both by Zoe records)12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next fresh air a closer look at Al Gore. . . a talk with Washington Correspondent for the New York Times, MELINDA HENNEBERGER. . .shes written a series of biographical pieces on the vice president. Also British actress BRENDA BLETHEN (like –Beth— BLETH-in). Shes starring in the new comedy –Saving Grace.— Join us for the next fresh air.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on the first day of events at the Democratic National Convention. In his last major address to his party President Clinton offered a triumphant review of his years in office last night at the Convention, and appealed to Americans to elect Al Gore as his successor.