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NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports on a joint appearance last night by President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore at the annual Congressional Black Caucus dinner in Washington.

Linda and Robert read letters from All Things Considered listeners. (3:30) Send e-mail to atc@npr.org or actual paper letters to "Letters, All Things Considered," National Public Radio, 635 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC, 20001.

Noah talks to Debora Spar, a Harvard Business School Professor who teaches a course on managing international trade and investment, about Microsoft's problems doing business in China. The company decided to invest there after China signed onto the treaty to respect intellectual property in 1992. Despite the treaty, six years later pirating of the company's software has actually increased. Spar questions whether, given Microsoft's experience, it can reasonably be expected that China will abide by rules set by the World Trade Organization.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports that demonstrators burned the US and UN flags in Jakarta today in response to remarks by the visiting US Defense Secretary William Cohen. He told the Indonesian government it must disband paramilitary groups in West Timor or risk international economic assistance. Indonesia, which has not recovered from the Asian economic crisis, is still dependent on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. But analysts warn that withdrawing financial support could jeopardize Indonesia's transition to democracy and possibly bring down the current elected government.

NPR's David Welna reports that the new president of the American Bar Association urged lawyers to do more work free of charge for immigrants. Lawyers across the nation are doing less of this pro-bono work as they're pressured to contribute to law firm profits. Also more immigrants are in jail awaiting charges and without access to legal aid.

The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington is moving its archives. Thousands of rare recordings are being carefully packed up and sent to their new home. The collection is an eclectic mix of Americana, consisting of 34 years of recordings from the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the catalog of Folkways Records. All Things Considered Director Bob Boilen went to visit the collection and archivist Jeff Place as he boxes up some of America's great musical treasures.

NPR's Jack Speer reports Continental AG is voluntarily recalling tires that came as standard equipment on Ford Lincoln Navigators. Ford's Lincoln Mercury division released a statement today saying the two companies are working together to quickly inspect tires and replace them if necessary.

A note on some of the little known candidates for the White House in this year's election.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the recall of Firestone tires has left Ford in something of a quandary. If the controversy drags on long enough, it could hurt sales of the popular Ford Explorer. Ford recently announced it will get some of the tires for upcoming Explorers from other tire manufacturers. But the booming world auto market makes it hard for Ford to sever its ties to Firestone altogether. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

NPR's Howard Berkes reports from Sydney, Australia that the United States women's softball team lost the first time since the 1998 world championships, ending a 112-game winning streak.