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NPR's Alex Chadwick examines Australia's national character in the latest National Geographic Radio Expedition. Australia is roughly the same size as America, but there are only 19 million Australians, still in search of their national identity.

NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports on tomorrow's Senate primary in Washington State, which will decide on a Democratic opponent for veteran GOP incumbent Slade Gorton. Gorton is considered vulnerable in his re-election bid this fall. He is likely to face Maria Cantwell, a former one-term Democratic House member who is now a high-tech multi-millionaire. The results of the state's unusual open primary system, in which all candidates run on the same ballot, might be a harbinger for Gorton's chances in November.

Commentator Darrell West, who teaches political science at Brown University, says this could be one of the most exciting and important elections in four decades. But voters are not paying attention to what could be a very exciting race.

With the Summer Olympics in full swing, a festive atmosphere has taken hold in Sydney's Olympic Park. As NPR's Eric Weiner reports, fans are giving high marks to the compact layout of the park and the genial hospitality of the Australian hosts. The early transportation snafus that delayed many athletes and journalists seem to have been solved -- at least for now.

Robert talks to Mirko Lauer a columnist for La Republica, the main opposition newspaper in Peru, about Peru's deposed intelligence chief, who was detained today by the military there. Vladimiro Montesinos has been at the center of a bribery scandal. He was suspended from his position over the weekend when President Fujimori "deactivated" the country's spy agency.

United States intelligence agencies have obtained a 1000 page terrorist training manual on CD-ROM. The manual was intended for terrorist recruits and is believed to originate with Osama Bin Laden. There are sections on how to assemble bombs, how to manufacture explosives and the most effective way to kill a non-Muslim. Noah talks with Jack Kelley, a foreign correspondent for USA Today about the case.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on yet another issue in the debate over the Presidential Debates. After both the Gore and Bush campaigns agreed on their debate formats, third party candidates are feeling excluded. For them to participate, third party candidates must meet what they call a ridiculous criterion set up by the bi-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates. That criterion states that a candidate must win an average of at least 15-percent in national polls to be invited to the debates.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that officials from the Los Angeles have been negotiating with the federal officials in an effort to help the police department be more open and accountable. In recent months, the Justice Department threatened a civil rights suit if the city did not agree to reforms.

NPR's Phillip Davis reports that hurricane Gordon was downgraded to a Tropical Storm before making landfall. Gordon plowed ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast last night drenching rain and a storm surge with waves over six feet high.

NPR's Allison Aubrey reports that the Surgeon General is hosting a two-day national conference on children's mental health.