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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.

Scott Horsley reports negotiators for Bell Atlantic -- now known as Verizon are meeting with union leaders in Washington this week trying to resolve a contract dispute. A third of its workers, including telephone operators, line technicians, and clerical workers, are involved. The company says it has submitted a new contract offer, with a strike deadline looming tomorrow night. A strike could disrupt service for millions of customers in eastern states. In addition to the usual issues of wages and pensions, unionized workers are demanding a larger role in the company's fast-growing wireless and internet access divisions.

Linda talks with Washington Post Columnist and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow E.J. Dionne, and Weekly Standard Senior Editor David Brooks, who were both in Philadelphia for the Republican Convention.

NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports on how the nation's broadcasters and cable channels covered the Republican National Convention, and who watched.

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.

Commentator Gary Beach argues a pending bill to grant H1B visas to an additional 200,000 mostly Asian high tech workers won't solve the problem of a persistent shortage. He says drawing high tech workers from Asia also antagonizes that region, which needs people to start its own industries.

We hear an excerpt from Vice President Al Gore's campaign appearance in Chicago today, where he responded to charges made by Republicans at their convention that the last eight years have been wasted by the Clinton-Gore administration.

Commentator Douglas Rushkoff says if the endless field of jokes, trivia and information on the Web is good for anything, it's good for starting conversations.

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.

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.