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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.

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 Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports three Israeli policemen are soon to stand trial for the brutal beating of three Palestinians at a checkpoint earlier this month. The incident gained international attention after photographs the Israelis took of themselves and of their victims were published in local newspapers.

Harriet Baskas visits the Barber Museum in Canal Winchester, Ohio, which is home to the Barbering Hall of Fame. On display are numerous barber chairs, barber shop polls, razors, clippers, and other items associated with the barbering arts.

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.

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.

Noah talks with BBC reporter Jacky Rowland about Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's campaign trip to Montengro today. Milosevic called pro-western leadership and Serbian opposition "rabbits, rats and even hyenas." Montenegro's leadership is boycotting the upcoming Yugoslav election.

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr wonders why America, so ready to help the world's poorest nations through food aid, is hesitant to help them through debt relief.

Robert talks to Mimi Sheraton, author of The Bialy Eaters: The Story of the Lost Bread and a Lost World, about the book. It recounts her journey to Bialystok, Poland, where the bread rolls with roasted onions in the middle get their name. There she found the story of a Jewish community which numbered 50,000 before World War Two, and now is reduced to just five people. No bialys remain, either. She then went on a round the world journey to find Bialystok survivors. (6:00) The Bialy Eaters: The Story of the Lost Bread and a Lost World, by Mimi Sheraton, is published by Broadway Books, 9/12/00.

Republican Presidential candidate George W. Bush has sharply criticized the Clinton administration's national defense policy. He says the Clinton White House has undermined the U.S. military and let the defense forces decline. Bush has promised to "re-build" the military. But there are questions about how the candidate would pay for it. Though he has talked about a major upgrade, his actual proposal only involves a very small spending increase. NPR Pentagon Correspondent Steve Inskeep reports.