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Commentator Rawlins Gilliland, a public speaking-consultant and former National Endowment for the Humanities Poet-in-Residence, says other people's music seems to form a soundtrack to his life. It's a constant background din -- as he drives with his top down, talks on his cell phone, stops at a gas station, works out at his gym, visits a park, and finds a birthday party in progress on his own block.

Robert talks with Itamar Rabinovich, president of Tel Aviv University, and former Israeli Ambassador to the United States. Rabinovich was a member of Israeli Prime Minister Barak's delegation in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, as an observer to the negotiations for a cease fire agreement. He talks about the Israeli government view of the agreement.

Robert talks to Washington Post Columnist E.J. Dionne and David Brooks, Senior Editor of the Weekly Standard about what the Republican and Democratic candidates need to accomplish in tonight's debate, with just a few weeks left in the campaign.

NPR's Linda Gradstein in Ramallah, West Bank, reports many Palestinians are dismissing the results of the Middle East peace summit in Egypt, saying the uprising against Israel must continue.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden in Jerusalem reports it is too early to tell whether the latest Israeli-Palestinian agreement will put an end to the bloody clashes in the West Bank and Gaza. The two sides have sharply intensified their propaganda war over the past two-and-a-half weeks.

Alan Cheuse reviews a new novel by J.D. Landis called Longing. It's about nineteenth century Europe's most romantic musical couple, composer Robert and performer Clara Schumann. (1:45) Longing, by J.D. Landis is published by Harcourt Brace; ISBN # 0151004536.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from Camp Zeist that a special Scottish court reconvened today in the Netherlands -- only to announce another recess in the trial of two Libyans accused of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Prosecutors told the court they needed more time to investigate what they termed "sensitive" information from a foreign government. This latest recess follows a poor performance by the prosecution's star witness. There is a growing feeling the prosecution case may not be strong enough to convict the two Libyans.

Frank Browning reports on the number two cancer killer in America -- colon cancer. More than 45-thousand Americans die from it every year. A study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that screening people over 50 for colorectal cancer saves lives. Malignancies are detected earlier, at a more treatable stage. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and several private groups have launched an aggressive colon cancer prevention campaign. But it's been difficult to get people over 50 to get tested.

NPR's Mandalit Del Barco reports that both sides have reached a tentative agreement in the month-long public transit strike in Los Angeles. If the union and transit authority ratify the accord, buses could be back on the road tomorrow.

NPR's David Welna reports on the tragic death of Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, the Democratic nominee running in a hotly-contested Senate seat against incumbent Republican John Ashcroft, who perished in a plane crash, along with his son and a campaign adviser. Carnahan's death robs the Democrats of one of their best chances at picking up a Senate seat. But more importantly, it robs a state of a very popular public official, and it darkens the mood as the presidential candidates hold their final debate tonight in St. Louis.