September 1, 1998 All Things Considered (entire program) Requires the RealAudio Player

An index of the day's stories:

Individual Investors -- All Things Considered host Linda Wertheimer talks to Chris Desimio, a financial consultant and stock broker. He talks about the reaction of his clients as the stock market bounced back after a terrifying slide yesterday. (3:30)

Emerging Markets --- NPR's John Ydstie reports the economic crisis that began in Asia and spread to Russia is creating calls for new restrictions on the flow of capital. Emerging market nations complain their economies are being unfairly punished by speculative money from abroad. Western economists have paid little attention to such arguments thus far, but a few are beginning to see so-called "hot" money as part of the problem. (5:00)

Russian Uranium --- NPR'S Dan Charles reports on one issue that was on the agenda for this summit - the sale to the U.S. of 500 tons of uranium, worth billions of dollars. The uranium in question comes from Russia's nuclear arsenal, and the transaction was the centerpiece of U.S. efforts to keep that uranium from falling into the wrong hands. However, Russian officials are claiming the U.S. has sabotaged one of the biggest and most important non-proliferation deals between the two countries. (5:30)

Sinn Fein Statement -- NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from London that Sinn Fein -- the IRA's political wing -- announced today that violence must become a thing of the past. This significant development for the peace process comes just 48 hours before President Clinton is scheduled to visit Northern Ireland. (2:30)

Military Recruiting II -- Martha Raddatz continues her series on military recruitment. She visits the Military Entrance Processing Station in Baltimore and talks to potential recruits about why they want to join the armed forces. Second report in a series. (12:30)

Headwaters Deal -- NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on a major environmental compromise in California. The Headwaters Forest, home to the largest stand of privately-held ancient Redwoods, will be made into a public park. The government will pay the timber company hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange. (2:30)

Microsoft vs. Netscape -- Robert talks to Josh Quittner, technology columnist for Time Magazine, and co-author of "Speeding the Net: The Inside Story of Netscape and How It Challenged Microsoft" (Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998). Quittner talks about the latest salvo in the anti-trust investigation instigated by Netscape against Microsoft. Microsoft has demanded access to a Netscape online forum, hoping complaints posted by Netscape employees will show that the internet company's woes are due to internal problems rather than anti-competitive actions by Microsoft. (5:15)

Clinton-Yeltsin Summit -- NPR's Mara Liasson reports from Moscow on President Clinton's summit with Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Clinton told Russian students today their country must pursue true market reforms. He made clear that the Russian economy must be truly privatized, with proper regulation and oversight. Only then, he said, will global investors feel confident enough to stay involved. Traveling with the President, Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said the administration is still waiting to hear how president Yeltsin intends to get the Russian financial crisis under control. (4:15)

Summit Reaction --- NPR's Michele Kelemen reports that while Russian students who listened to President Clinton's speech in Moscow were impressed, most Russians are preoccupied with their country's economic turmoil and political crisis. Russian media are giving scant coverage of the summit, focusing instead on the political stalemate between President Yeltsin and the parliament, which is refusing to confirm his choice for prime minister. (4:30)

Gulf War Syndrome --- NPR'S Barbara Bradley reports there is no way to know how many veterans were exposed to chemical weapons during the Gulf war. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee said that nerve gas was a factor in the mysterious illness known as Gulf War Syndrome. The bi-partisan committee criticized the Pentagon for its poor training of U.S. troops for chemical warfare. (3:00)

West Virginia Mining -- Allison Aubrey reports on the resurgence of mountaintop removal coal mining in West Virginia. This controversial type of mining literally blasts off the top of a mountain to get at the seam below. It's efficient but fills streams with rubble and shakes houses nearby. Citizens are suing to limit the practice and the federal government is trying to decide whether to intervene. (7:30)

Wisconsin Welfare --- Ann-Elise Henzl of member station WUWM in Milwaukee reports that Wisconsin is proclaiming its welfare program a success. One year ago, the state began "Wisconsin Works," a plan that requires all aid recipients to work. (5:00)

Wisconsin Senate Race -- NPR's Brian Naylor reports that the congressional race in the first district of Wisconsin is among the most closely watched in the country. The district has alternated between Republican and Democratic representation over the past few years and both parties think the race is pivotal in their fight over control of the House. The two candidates also present voters with a stark, ideological choice -- between a conservative Republican who wants much less government and a Democrat who favors more spending for education and other services. (5:30)

Cheese! --- Songwriter Richard Goldman sings the praises of Wisconsin's pride and joy: cheese. A little song about cheese. This item is unavailable due to copyright issues.

Marc Ribot --- Marc Ribot, the New York based guitarist, has backed up a wide range of artists -- from French pop star Serge Gainsbourg to rocker Elvis Costello to avant garde saxophonist John Zorn. Ribot's own projects are just as diverse: he's studied classical guitar with Haitian expatriate composer Frantz Casseus and recorded his compositions; he's written music for films; he's led a trio that plays brutally-electric noise; and he's just released an album of Cuban big band music from the 1940's, arranged for quartet ("Marc Ribot y los Cubanos Postizos" Atlantic 83116-2). NPR's Karen Michel reports on his career. This item is unavailable due to copyright issues.