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NPR's Guy Raz reports Germany is marks ten years since reunification today. Most observers agree the benefits for the formerly communist East outweigh the drawbacks. There's much talk of high unemployment in the East. But residents of former East Germany are enjoying higher standards of living. German and foreign leaders alike hailed the achievements of reunification at a ceremony in Dresden today. The architect of German unity, ex-chancellor Helmut Kohl, was notably absent from today's festivities. His reputation has been tainted by a political funding scandal.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on what both Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush need to do in their debate tonight. With polls showing the two presidential candidates running in a dead heat, and indications that the broadcast might reach an audience of 75-million Americans, what happens tonight could go a long way in determining who will be the 43rd president of the United States.

Commentator Mark Hertsgaard says the Commission on Presidential Debates makes it nearly impossible for any candidate -- except those from the Democratic and Republican parties -- to participate. He says the debates are essential to any candidacy, and exclusionary rules help the two big parties retain their monopoly over the political system.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the continuing unrest in Israel. A hastily arranged cease-fire collapsed into further violence yesterday, with 56 people killed and more than a thousand injured since the start of the conflict.

NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on what happened behind-the-scenes at last night's presidential debate in Boston, Massachusetts. Spin doctors from both Democratic and Republican camps converged on the media center, hoping to influence coverage of the debate. The spin control began even before the candidates made their final remarks.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports from Los Angeles that jury selection is underway in the first case to come out of the L.A.P.D.'s Rampart corruption scandal. Four officers are accused by former officer Rafael Perez of planting evidence, shooting suspects, and perjuring themselves. But Perez's own lack of credibility may make the case hard to prove.

NPR's Jack Speer reports from Washington that federal regulators are proposing new restrictions for railway mergers. The Surface Transportation Board released the proposed guidelines yesterday. If approved early next year, they would make it harder for large rail lines to merge.

Host Bob Edwards speaks with reporter Richard Galpin in Jakarta about Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's refusal to pardon the son of former president Suharto. Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra received an 18-month sentence for his involvement in a land-scam deal.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the Supreme Court will consider its second case testing the limits of police searches this week. After tackling whether the police can set up automotive drug-search checkpoints yesterday, the court hears arguments today about whether hospitals have the right to test pregnant women for drugs and have police charge those who test positive.

NPR's Mandelit Del Barco reports from Los Angeles on a series of one-day strikes by County employees, who are demanding higher pay. They include clerical workers, social workers, road repair crews, librarians, and healthcare workers.