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Robert talks with Russian tycoon Boris Berezovsky about politics and media in Russia today. Berezovsky controls a 49-percent share in the ORT television network. The Russian government owns the rest. He has come under pressure from the Russian government to give up his shares, which would put the network under complete state control. His empire has included an oil company and Aeroflot, the Russian airline. He was also recently a member of the Russian parliament, the Duma, but resigned his seat.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that newly released, declassified documents show that a former Chilean official convicted in a fatal 1976 car bombing in Washington, DC was an informer for the CIA. According to the documents, released by the CIA in a declassified report to Congress, the CIA maintained its relationship with General Manuel Contreras, director of Chile's secret police, until 1977. It's unclear whether the CIA knew of his involvement in the bombing, which killed former Chilean Ambassador Orlando Letelier and his American associate Ronni Moffitt. In 1993, Contreras was sentenced to seven years in prison for the assassination.

Peter Clowney of member station WHYY reports on the plan to restore financial solvency to the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, which owns one of the world's richest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The plan would raise 85 million dollars to re-endow the foundation and increase the budget for administering the Barnes collection.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Los Angeles on Vice President Al Gore's commitment to keeping medical records private. At a town meeting, the Democratic candidate discussed with the audience problems with medical information being sold to drug companies or other businesses. Gore says as president, he'll work to make these kinds of disclosures illegal.

NPR's Sarah Chayes reports that two French Journalists held by Muslim rebels on Jolo island in the southern Philippines have been rescued unharmed. Seventeen other people are still being held hostage.

Jon Miller reports from Lima, Peru that the country's intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos -- suspected in a bribery scandal -- has not been seen, but the government denies reports that he is in military custody. The scandal prompted Peru's President Alberto Fujimori to disband the spy agency, and announce plans to call new elections. Fujimori further pledged that he will not be a candidate in those elections. Peru's cabinet today tried to work out details, as opposition candidates began to rally support in hopes of replacing Fujimori.

NPR's Tom Goldman in Sydney reports Romania's women gymnasts have defeated their arch-rival, Russia, to win Olympic gold, thanks largely to an uncharacteristic mistake by a Russian star.

Noah talks to American canoeist David "Davey" Hearn, about the results of the men's solo whitewater canoe competition at the Sydney Olympics. Competing in his third Olympic games at age 41, Hearn finished last in the finals. He says he was beaten by better paddling, not by youth.

The National Museum of American History -- part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC -- is being given 80-million-dollars. Real estate developer and philanthropist Kenneth Behring is making the gift, which is the largest single donation the Institution has ever received. Noah talks to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lawrence Small.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on the passage of permanent normal trade relations with China. Congress came down solidly in favor of the bill, which has been called the most positive development in U.S.-China relations since President Nixon's visit to Beijing in 1972.