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Immigration officials have cleared the way for nine Cubans to seek residency in the U.S. The refugees survived a plane crash in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week. NPR's Philip Davis reports this has angered Cuban officials, who say the refugees stole the state owned plane, and they should be returned to Cuba.

Watching the Olympic games in Sydney, Commentator James Finn Garner yearns for the days when the U.S. had a rival to reckon with.

Robert Siegel speaks with Dr. Darrell Burnett, a sports psychologist who specializes in counseling young athletes. He believes involvement in sports for young people is good for them, though intense specialty at an early age may not be the best thing for a youngster below the age of 13 or 14. Kids that young may burn out and lose interest. Dr. Burnett also says kids must pursue their sport based on their own interest, not that of their parents. Dr. Burnett is author of Youth, Sports, & Self Esteem: A Guide for Parents. (9:00) Burnett's WebPage is: http://www.djburnett.com

NPR's Michael Sullivan reports from Katmandu that an undeclared war in the south Asian mountain kingdom of Nepal has killed at least two-thousand people since it began four years ago. People there have become disillusioned by the country's transition to a constitutional monarchy, a change they had thought would result in a higher living standard in one of the world's poorest countries. Maoist rebels have found growing support among disgruntled civilians, although the government says civilians are coerced into helping the rebels. The government has earmarked millions of dollars for a paramilitary police force to take on the rebels. But analysts say what's really needed is good government and a serious plan to address economic problems.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that with just two days before Yugoslavia's presidential election, there's growing anxiety in Belgrade and abroad about the possible aftermath of the vote. Polls show opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica leading Slobodan Milosevic. But many opposition leaders and analysts believe that Milosevic, an indicted war criminal, will resort to anything to stay in power.

Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has been blamed for much of the bloodshed in the Balkans. Yet Commentator Iain Guest, a visiting fellow at the Overseas Development Council in Washington, D.C., says the elections this weekend are more about principle than personality. Demonizing Milosevic, Guest says, just strengthens his position.

Critic Ken Tucker offers Linda a sneak preview of the fall television season. They'll discuss a new show starring Bette Midler; also, Ed, a program about a lawyer who opens a bowling alley, and a show featuring a genetically engineered supergirl called Dark Angel, from filmmaker James Cameron.

President Clinton has authorized the release of thirty-million barrels of oil from the nation's emergency reserves. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson made the announcement this afternoon. He denied that the move was political -- but instead said it was aimed at ensuring enough supply heading into the winter heating season. Linda talks to NPR's Pam Fessler about the news.

At each Olympics, the winner of the 100 meters becomes known as the fastest man in the world. The race lasts a tad over 9 seconds, but it requires tremendous physical and mental preparation. It's not unusual for an elite sprinter to engage a scientist to analyze the biomechanics of his gait. But as NPR's Tom Goldman reports, at race time simplicity is best. Top runners say they are able to clear their minds of extraneous thoughts during their races.

French President Jaques Chirac is angrily denying charges that he was involved in unscrupulous fundraising for his party, and kickbacks to construction companies, while he was Mayor of Paris in the 1980's. The allegations come from a videotaped interview with a man who was an aide to Chirac during those years -- but has since died. Robert talks to John Henley, Correspondent for the Guardian newspaper in Paris about the story.