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As he nears the end of his 3,000-mile journey across China, on the western side of the Gobi Desert, NPR's Gifford finds the last thing he would expect -- a bowling alley, the sign of a new middle class.

The latest novel by Ward Just, An Unfinished Season, is set in 1950s suburban Chicago and its hero is a copy boy working for a tabloid newspaper in the city. Just talks with NPR's Scott Simon about the book and how he came to write fiction after a successful career in journalism.

American cyclist Lance Armstrong wins the Tour de France in Paris, setting a new record with six victories. The final margin between Armstrong and his nearest competitor, German Andreas Kloden, was 6 minutes, 19 seconds. Hear NPR's Brian Naylor and John Wilcockson of Velo News.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners and has a challenge for everyone at home. This week's winner is Nicole Speulda from Washington, D.C. She listens to Weekend Edition on member station WETA in Washington.

William Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, offers his reactions to the Sept. 11 commission report, and discusses with NPR's Scott Simon whether there is the political will in Washington in an election year to act upon the report's recommendations.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, one of the last Democrats remaining in the presidential race, endorses former rival Sen. John Kerry. Kucinich says he will reach out on Kerry's behalf to supporters of Ralph Nader. Hear NPR's Scott Horsley.

Immigrant communities in Los Angeles and Southern California are arguably the most diverse places in the country. The different groups sometimes live in ethnic enclaves and don't mix. But Alex Cohen member station KQED visits a small sliver of L.A. County that can accurately be described as a melting pot, an ethnic stew like no other.

Political conventions aren't what they used to be. Floor fights over platforms and nominees have given way to "unified, happy affairs." NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts reviews the history of some of the most contentious conventions.

NPR's Liane Hansen talks with pianist John Bucchino about his new CD, On Richard Rodgers' Piano. Bucchino used the legendary songwriter's 1939 Steinway to record the disc.

Ingrid Jensen has always been fighting stereotypes: "When you look like I look — a blond, white chick from Canada — you're not supposed to sound the way I sound," she once said. The jazz trumpeter talked with host Liane Hansen about her career and music.