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NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that the World Bank will not make a controversial loan to China to settle 58,000 poor farmers on land that Tibetans consider sacred. Pro-Tibetan activists hail the decision as a victory. The resettlement project was opposed by human rights groups as well as the United States. Bank directors let the loan die after refusing a recommendation from Bank president James Wolfensohn to further assess the project's social and environmental impact. China said it would finance the resettlement on its own.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports that Hong Kong, in response to its experience during the Asian economic crisis is trying to diversify its economy. The city has become rich over the years on the basis of real estate speculation and finance. Now, it is building a huge cyberport in hopes of turning Hong Kong into the internet hub of Asia. The problem is that internet startups are based on speculation and wild speculation is what got Hong Kong into trouble during the Asian economic crisis.

Host Bob Edwards talks with commentator John Feinstein about the match between the Williams sisters and the happenings at this year's Wimbledon Tournament.

We hear a portion of a stump speech by Vice President Al Gore to the National Council of La Raza in San Diego, California earlier this week.

Robert talks to Wayne Barrett, an investigative reporter for the Village Voice, in New York City and author of Rudy! An Investigative Biography of Rudolph Guiliani. (5:00) Barrett's book about New York City Mayor Giuliani is published by Basic Books, 7/10/00.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports the Pentagon will test a missile defense system over the Pacific Ocean tonight. A rocket -- armed with a dummy warhead -- will be launched from California. Another rocket will be launched from an island hundreds of miles away, carrying an "interceptor" that's intended to shoot down the first rocket. The operation is part of a series of tests that will ultimately be used in deciding whether to proceed with the deployment of such a defense system.

The governing body of world soccer competition is investigating the circumstances surrounding yesterday's vote which awarded Germany the right to host the 2006 World Cup. A key delegate from New Zealand -- who had been expected to vote for South Africa to host the competition -- abstained, and Germany ended up winning by one vote. New Zealand delegate Charles Dempsey says he abstained because he came under intolerable pressure for his vote, receiving bribe attempts and letters of intimidation. Robert talks to Simon Greenberg, Sports Editor for the London Evening Standard about the story.

The colorful, iridescent soldier fly in question has "legs for days," Australian researcher Bryan Lessard said. He hopes that pop culture names will help attract attention for vulnerable species.

Music legend JOHNNY CASH. CASH has been recording albums and performing since the 1950's. Representing CASH'S varied musical styles, he has been inducted into the Songwriters, Country Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. In 1997, he released an autobiography called "CASH" (Harper). The recording Johnny Cash at San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert) (Columbia/Legacy) has been remastered, and released this week. This reissue of Cash's classic live performance includes eight previously unreleased songs, including "Big River," "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "Folsom Prison Blues." A 3-CD Box Set of his music, called "Love, God, and Murder," was also recently released. Original Broadcast: 11/4/97. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW.) 12:28:30 FORWARD PROMO (1:29)12:29:00 I.D. BREAK (:59)12:

JOHNNY CASH CONTINUED.Earlier this week, HAROLD NICOLAS, the younger member of the famous tap-dancing duo, The Nicholas Brothers, died in Manhattan. The Nicholas Brothers danced in vaudeville, on Broadway, in night clubs and on TV, but may be best known for their appearances in movie musicals of the 1930s and 40s. We'll listen back to a 1985 interview with NICOLAS. The next installment of the Harry Potter series comes out tomorrow. Book Critic MAUREEN CORRIGAN reviews the Harry Potter books and the hype around them.12:58:30 NEXT SHOW PROMO (:29) PROMO COPY On the next archive edition of Fresh Air - we'll listen back to our 1997 interview with JOHNNY CASH. His 1969 concert recording, Johnny Cash at San Quentin, has been remastered, and was released this week. That and more coming up on the next Fresh Air.