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NPR'S ANNE GARRELS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW THAT IT APPEARS THAT THE LONG LINES OF PEOPLE WAITING TO PURCHASE AVAILABLE BASIC GOODS, WHICH WERE SO FAMILIAR IN OUR MEMORIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, HAVE NOT ENDED WITH THE FALL OF COMMUNISM. PEOPLE ARE JUST LINING UP FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

The Federal Reserve signaled that it will soon begin to taper — cut back on its monthly purchases of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities — but the timeline isn't clear yet.

NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with television producer Norman Lear. This week, Lear and a partner purchased an original copy of the Declaration of Independence for $7.4 million. They plan to send the document around the country for the public to see.

NPR's Jackie Northam reports on the recall of Bridgestone/Firestone tires amid concerns that the tread peels off the tire at high speeds. The company announced yesterday that customers who replace their tires as a result of the recall can be reimbursed for purchases made between August 9 and August 16.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports the Internet music site CDNow has been purchased by Germany's Bertelsmann conglomerate. The company is one of the most popular retailing sites on the web. But due to costly advertising campaigns and small profit margins, CDNow has lost more than 200-million dollars since it was created.

Consumer confidence falls. But worries over the big economic picture don't necessarily translate into fewer purchases by consumers. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

Mark Pachter, director of the National Portrait Gallery, finds a donor to help the Smithsonian Insitution purchase Gilbert Stuart's 1796 portrait of George Washington. His ability to raise more than $20 million for the effort is a tribute to the lasting appeal of an iconic image.

NPR's Rob Gifford reports the president of Taiwan has urged the United States to use wisdom in ending its standoff with China over the detained American crew. Taiwan could well be affected by the outcome of this crisis. The island wants to make a major arms purchase from the United States. Beijing opposes the sale.

NPR's Alex Chadwick chats with Andy Leach, executive vice president of TicketReserve.com, a company allows sports fans to buy the right to purchase a ticket to a championship game if their team makes it to a championship.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Paul Eisenstein, publisher of the Internet magazine TheCarConnection.com, about how surging gas prices are affecting American's car purchases.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on legislation debated in Sacramento last night that would allow the state to enter into long-term contracts to purchase electricity for California consumers. The bill passed the State Senate, but failed in the Assembly by three votes.

NPR's Kenneth Walker reports from Johannesburg on a corruption scandal related to a large South African arms deal. In exchange for approving the purchase of arms from European suppliers, high level government officials and their families allegedly received lucrative subcontracts and bribes.