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Host Scott Simon talks with Ernesto Bentoncourt, Fidel Castro's former political advisor, about Fidel Castro's assault against the Cuban Moncada barricks in 1953, a pivotal moment in Cuban history.

NPR's Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr examines the difficulties in resolving the issue of control over Jerusalem in the middle east peace process.

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Jeanne Dyer from Randolph, New Jerse. She listens to Weekend Edition on member station WNYC.)

Liane reads letters and e-mails from listeners.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports from Havana, on the growing minority of people in Cuba, who are self employed. Even though Fidel Castro's Communist government sets strict standards for entrepreneurs, more and more Cubans are trying their hand as capitalists. But they're finding it more difficult to make a profit than they thought, and with the high taxes they're forced to pay, many are barely getting by.

Mitch Teich of member station KNAU reports on the unusual weather conditions in parts of the Western U.S. that are posing a danger to parks like Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Wildfires have broken out during a lapse in the normal wet season, and park employees face several challenges in stopping the blazes.

Marianne McCune of member station WNYC reports that a new committee appointed to decide the future of Ellis Island is pushing to transform several crumbling buildings on the south side of the island into a center for tourists, scholars and world leaders.

NPR's Andy Bowers looks at how some Internet companies will be covering this year's political conventions. In 1996 some dot coms covered the conventions but had to watch as their broadcast and print counterparts were given preferential treatment. This year, not only have many internet companies been given equal access, but both the Republicans and Democrats are broadcasting their own coverage over their web sites.

Commentator Marit Haahr is a little unnerved by the growth of dot-com companies that provide service to your doorstep, like Kozmo.com. She says it's spontaneous human contact, as in video stores, that keeps us all from becoming shut-ins.

Scott speaks with Brazilian author Paulo Coehlo, author of the bestseller, The Alchemist, about his new book, Veronika Decides to Die.