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The Japanese have worked hard for the last 50 years to build their economy into one of the most dominant in the world. But now that they have earned that status, they would like to have some fun with their money. NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that theme parks are a favorite destination for Japanese travellers. In Japan, the original park, Tokyo Disneyland, has been joined by a multitude of others... one run by video-game giant Sega, another featuring miniature models of famous world landmarks, and another with virtual reality rides.

NPR's Vicky Que reports that the Food and Drug Administration today moved closer to approving the controversial drug RU 486, the so-called "French abortion pill." The FDA told the Population Council of New York that the agency would approve the drug as an alternative to surgical abortions if the non-profit group adequately addressed questions about the labeling and manufacturing of the drug. RU 486 has been strongly opposed by anti-abortion groups.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports that President Clinton has been travelling in the Midwest today as the presidential campaign enters its final two weeks. In a campaign stop in Parma, Ohio, Clinton ignored the ethics charges that Dole has lobbed at him in recent days, but he did step up his rhetoric, mentioning "his opponent" for the first time. Highlighting the direct student loan program passed by Congress in 1993, Clinton contrasted his education policy with Dole's.

NPR's David Welna reports from Managua on Sunday's presidential election in Nicaragua. The two leading candidates are Daniel Ortega, former Sandinista president, and Arnoldo Aleman, the conservative former mayor of Managua. Aleman denies Ortega's charge that he represents a return to the days of the late dictator Anastasio Somoza, despite his popularity among supporters of the former Contra rebels. Aleman has vowed to cancel, or force compensation for, the thousands of property confiscations carried out by the Sandinistas when they were in power.

Robert talks with Kurt Eichenwald -- a business reporter with the New York Times -- about tapes which have surfaced that reveal Texaco executives discussed an impeding Federal discrimination suit. In his story in this morning's paper, Eichenwald details what the executives said regarding purging and shredding documents. In addition, he writes, the executives berated the company's minority employees with racial epithets. The tapes were recorded in August 1994, and some of the remarks were published in today's New York Times.

Computer and software makers are cutting back on technical support. Two magazines surveyed readers recently...and both found complaints about technical support up sharply. The reason? Tech support is expensive to provide and it's hard to see how it will pay for itself. Also at issue is the freeloader problem: as the industry cuts back, no one wants to pick up everyone else's tab. NPR's John McChesney reports.

Noah talks with Nick Thorpe, a BBC reporter in Bucharest, Romania, about the surprising results of the recent Romanian elections. A former geology professor and a political novice, Emil Constantinescu, upset the incumbent president. Now, the president-elect must try to bring the former Soviet bloc country towards a market economy. Thorpe says the populace showed deep emotion in victory rallies - of the sort Thorpe has not witnessed there since the revolution of 1989.

Convicted murderer John Salvi took his own life last week while in prison for the slaying of two women two years ago at clinics where abortions are performed. His parents want federal officials to investigate the circumstances of his death. A debate is now raging over treatment of mental illness in prisons, and whether Salvi should have been sentenced instead to a mental institution. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports on the rebuilding of Bosnia. The area has been quiet for nearly a year and hopes for easing unemployment lies heavily on the reconstruction. The United States has loaned money, as has the Islamic community. Glass is being installed, roofs are being built over burnt out houses. The rush is on to beat the winter weather. But Bosnians know that rebuilding their country will be a long-term struggle.

Reporter Barbara Mantel (man-TELL) tells the story of the teenaged Garcia girls. They arrived in October from the Dominican Republic and now live with their fatehr in Queens divorced. This is the story of their adjustment to the U.S. They are making good progress in their ESL classes...but the 17 year old is worried about learning the language well enough to attend college. At lunch time they sit with other Spanish speaking kids...although they say confrontations between English speaking kids and Spanish speaking kids are common.