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NPR's Brian Naylor reports on the latest tussle between the White House and Republicans on Capitol Hill. Late last night President Clinton vetoed another spending bill, this one that would finance the Treasury Department, White House and Congress itself. The veto apparently came in retaliation for the GOP's rejection of a compromise that would have financed schools and other social programs. Both sides came away from the squabble with inflamed rhetoric, with Republicans claiming that Mr. Clinton is deliberately trying to force a government shutdown, while the President saying that classrooms should be funded before the operation of Congress.

Methamphetamine, also known as speed, crank or crystal meth -- is highly addictive and can do serious harm to the nervous system. In the last few years, meth has become a major epidemic in the farm belt, where's its manufacturers are also users. NPR's Robert Siegel reports from Shawnee County, Kansas, where meth has replaced crack and heroin as the drug of choice.

The German media giant Bertelsmann AG - also known as BMG - announced today that it has formed a "strategic alliance" with the internet company, Napster. BMG's new e-commerce arm and Napster will develop subscription-based service for file sharing. Once that happens, BMG will drop its part of the music industry lawsuit against Napster -- which charges Napster with copyright violations. NPR's Rick Karr reports.

NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports on lifestyle options of those who've made a fortune in high-tech. With the resources to retire at very early ages, some former employees of AOL are finding ways to enjoy some of life simple pleasures while remaining productive.

Veteran broadcaster Robert Trout recalls The Senator Was Indiscreet, a little remembered motion picture that cast a cynical look at the political process. The film talked about the balancing act between the press, public relations and politics. Actor William Powell played an inept senator with presidential ambitions. He had a secret diary that threatened to derail him. The story by George S. Kaufman never caught on with audiences. But Trout says there's a lot of cold-hearted wisdom in this movie comedy that we can still learn from today. It deals with patronage and pride in ways that were meant to be an exaggeration at the time. But after Spiro Agnew, Wayne Hayes, Watergate and the like, the film seems like a celluloid crystal ball.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports that presidential hopefuls George W. Bush and Al Gore have just one week left to convince voters they're the right man for the job. It's a stressful time for both candidates, but each took time to show they still have a sense of humor after months of campaigning.

Tamara Keith of member station KQED reports on the contest in California's 20th district, which is 40 percent Latino. The district's Democratic incumbent, Cal Dooley, is running against Rich Rodriguez, a former broadcaster. Republicans are hoping that Rodriguez's heritage will help him connect with Latino voters...most of whom are registered as Democrats.

NPR's Renee Montagne visits a Hollywood cemetery that's got a new lease on life. Hollywood Forever, a 62-acre memorial park is home to the remains of actors Peter Lorre, Rudolph Valentino, Joan Hackett and others. Once overgrown and run-down, the cemetery is now under the direction of a 30-year old funeral director from Missouri, whose dream is to fully restore it to its previous state of grandeur.

Kate Seelye reports on how Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territories are using the Internet to keep Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and elsewhere up-to-date on the intifada . The project is sponsored by the West Bank's Bir Zeit University. So far, three refugee camps are on-line, and plans are underway to include many more.

Commentator Jim Sollisch says drug company ad campaigns are driving up sales...but confusing consumers.