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John tells the story of a 30- year old friendship and a 55-year old Gibson guitar.

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!

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.

Writer and essayist Beverly Donofrio made a pilgrimage to Mexico from Los Angeles last year and she found redemption in part by hearing a song by Aaron Neville on her car's cassette tape machine. Donofrio's latest book is Looking for Mary, or The Blessed Mother and Me.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California. President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will address the convention tonight on a huge custom-made stage inside the Staples Center.

Host Jacki Lyden talks with journalist Jim Robbins about the latest developments in the wildfires in Montana. Evacuation orders were lifted south of Helena and as many as 270 families can return home. FEMA director James Lee Witt toured fire damage yesterday and promised federal money. However, danger still looms for many families just outside of Helena including that of Jim Robbins. Robbins , who has been reporting on the fires for the New York Times. New fires are just eight miles from his door.

More and more people are leaving the suburbs behind for the conveniences of urban life in America's cities. The middle class return is having a negative effect, some say an inevitable effect on some of the people who never left. NPR's Byron Henderson reports.

Commentator Joe Davidson says rebel groups who finance their actions by selling diamonds may soon have to find new source of money.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that many unsuspecting women from former Communist countries in Eastern Europe are being sold like slaves and forced into prostitution in Western Europe by organized crime rings. Albanian gangs run the highly lucrative and extremely brutal sex slave trade in Italy. Poggioli talks to some women who were rescued and freed by Italian police.