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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.

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.

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.

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.

As part of an effort to air stump speeches on Wednesdays this election season, All Things Considered plays a portion of Democrat Al Gore's speech in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last week. Gore said that even though we are living in a time of great prosperity, more needs to be done for those left behind -- to help improve education for all children, to provide good health care coverage for all people, to ensure that seniors can afford their prescription drugs. Gore said under his administration, he would use the prosperity to help everyone, not just the wealthy.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports that American Edmond Pope went on trial in a Moscow court today, accused of trying to buy Russian military secrets. Pope's supporters deny he's a spy, insisting he's a businessman who was buying declassified Russian technology. Members of the U.S. Congress have urged the Clinton administration to hold up aid to Russia if Pope is convicted. The trial is expected to last several weeks.

The major party candidates for president returned to campaigning in swing states today after holding their third and final debate last night in St. Louis. Both camps treated today's events as victory rallies, claiming their man had the upper hand last night. NPR's Anthony Brooks has the latest on the Gore camp, and NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on the Bush campaign.

NPR's Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem reports there were sporadic clashes in the West Bank and Gaza today, the day after the Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed to work toward ending the violence. But in a development that could re-ignite the unrest, Israel Radio reports security forces have arrested some of the Palestinians suspected of taking part in the mob killing of two Israeli soldiers in Ramallah last week.

NPR's Ted Clark reports the Clinton Administration is disputing assertions that the 7-year-old framework for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is no longer viable. But a growing number of Palestinians and some Israelis say the violence of the past three weeks has irrevocably altered the situation.

Journalist Rami Khouri syndicated columnist and former editor of the Jordan Times.

Researchers from Yale and Brown Universities report in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association that they have measured the actual brain volume of children who were born prematurely, using M.R.I. scans once the children reached eight years of age. They found that the earlier the premature birth, the more insult to the brain, resulting in a related decrease in I.Q. test scores. It's a first step towards quantifying how much delayed brain development affects intelligence. NPR's Michelle Trudeau has the story.