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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.

NPR's Brian Naylor talks to two House members who came to Washington as House revolutionaries -- and who are leaving, as promised, after three terms, honoring their campaign pledge.

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.

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.

Next we hear an excerpt from Natural Law candidate John Hagelin, in an address given yesterday at the American University in Washington, D.C.

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.

Alan Cheuse reviews the latest book by Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood. It's called The Blind Assassin (1:45) The Blind Assassin is published by Bantam Doubleday.

Linda speaks with Rex Gephart, head of the Los Angeles MTA's "Metro Rapid" program, which aims to reduce bus travel times by 25 percent. As part of the plan, the MTA has equipped two of its major bus lines with a new device that hold a green lights for approaching buses. Gephart says ridership has increased significantly on the lines being tested. He says L.A. is the first city in the U.S. to implement so-called "signal priority" so extensively.

Commentator Joanne Kaufman just got her drivers license -- at age 41. Her ultimate road test was a trip to the drugstore. She talks about what she missed not being able to drive, the freedom it would have meant as a teenager. Driving solo as an adult is a defining moment she wants to tell everyone about, but the destinations and reasons to drive are different.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that despite the taint of drugs and Olympic scandals, the 2000 Summer games have begun and the opening ceremonies is reflecting on positive aspects of the Olympics. Athletes from North and South Korea marched today under one unification banner.