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NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr says that, judging from the careful phrasing of Condoleeza Rice's GOP convention speech last night, the Bush campaign is very wary of making any grand gestures concerning foreign policy.

Claire Doole reports from Geneva that the World Health Organization has accused the tobacco industry of waging a dirty tricks campaign to undermine global efforts to curb smoking. A study released today concluded that tobacco companies paid WHO scientists for provide information and pose, falsely, as independent consultants.

Linda talks with Rick Ochoa, Staff Meteologist for the National Interagency Fire Center, about the wildfires in the western United States. The Center uses a team of "incident meteorologists" to help firefighters strategize against the flames. Ochoa talks about what the crews are telling him from around the country.

All Things Considered Host Robert Siegel is in Philadelphia where the Republican Party convention opened today. He reports that the GOP goal is for a largely controversy-free meeting to demonstrate party unity. That plan got off to a good start today as the party passed its platform with little dissent.

The Republican convention that began today, and its Democratic counterpart that begins in two weeks are underwritten by taxpayer financing. Each major party gets $13.5 million for its four-day nominating extravaganza. The public funding was supposed to fee the parties from their dependence on private sponsors for these events. But the parties have found ways to accept private donations as well. NPR's Peter Overby reports the conventions are now more elaborate and expensive than ever.

NPR's Larry Abramson looks at the FBI's controversial Internet eavesdropping device, known as "Carnivore." Twenty-eight members of Congress have called on the FBI to stop using Carnivore because, depending on how it is programmed, it has the potential to invade the privacy of innocent citizens. But, if programmed to delete information unrelated to its search, a Carnivore tap on Internet communications can be less intrusive than court-approved wiretaps on telephones.

The "at" (@) sign -- the letter "A" encircled by a loop -- is everywhere these days -- thanks to the internet and E-mail addresses. But where did the sign originate and what is it actually called? According to Giorgio Stabile, a professor of history in Rome, the "at" symbol or "amphora symbol" is not a new sign at all -- and it predates the 18th century as historians previously believed. Professor Stabile has been hard at work for the past three months studying this ubiquitous symbol -- and has now traced it back to May 4, 1536 in a Roman mercantile document signed by Francesco Lapi. No doubt the race is on to find earlier recordings but for now -- the "at" symbol, drawn as we know it, dates back at least as far as the Italian Renaissance. We also went out to ask folks on the streets of Washington about @.

Carolyn Johnson of Nebraska Public Radio reports on an effort in the state to built one of the world's largest networks of cosmic ray detectors. A physics professor is putting the detectors on the roofs of all 314 Nebraska high schools to help students get hands on science experience.

Robert Siegel is at the Republican convention in Philadelphia, where he talks with Marvin Olasky, an occasional informal advisor to George W. Bush. He also coined the phrase Compassionate Conservatism, a phrase that is also the title of Olasky's new book. Olasky is a University of Texas journalism professor, and also senior fellow of the Acton Institute for the study of Religion and Liberty. He talks with Robert about how Bush's Christianity could infuse his presidency and his policies.

Commentator Rebecca Flowers says all this diversity at the GOP convention made her wonder about the dream republican ticket---Bush and Puff Daddy. The gangsta rapper is black, musical and rich -- all the things the GOP seems interested in this week. They probably share similar views on gun control---and Puff Daddy's girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez is Hispanic.

Linda reads letters from All Things Considered listeners. (3:15) {STATIONS NOTE:} To contact All Things Considered, write to All Things Considered Letters, 635 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20001. The e-mail address is atc@npr.org.

Co-Host Madeleine Brand and NPR's political editor Ken Rudin talk about three political conventions from history where crucial and unpredictable decisions were made: the Democratic Convention of 1860, the Republican Convention of 1912, and the Democratic Convention of 1944. The two earlier conventions are brought to life through dramatic recreation.