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The London Olympics' opening ceremony is a "show," director Danny Boyle says, that celebrates Britain, from the Industrial Revolution to its music and literature — even its socialized medicine. There's also time for thousands of athletes to enter Olympic Stadium. "We don't get lost in show business," Boyle says.

The Commerce Department's latest report confirms that economic growth was as lousy this spring as you suspected it was. Now the question is: Can anyone do anything to make it better in the year's second half? Next week, the Federal Reserve's policymakers may take another stab at it.

The economy grew by an annual rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter. A weakening job market caused consumers to curb spending just as recession in Europe worsens and China's growth rate levels off.

Mitt Romney flies to Israel this weekend on the second leg of his overseas tour. He'll meet with top Israeli officials as well as the Palestinian prime minister. The Republican presidential candidate is using the trip to court the Jewish vote, which went overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in 2008.

Carl reads three news-related limericks: Underwear Older than Yours, Super-Duper Big Gulp, and An Amorous Animal.

Bishop Leonard Blair talks about his Vatican-ordered assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an organization that represents 80 percent of Catholic sisters in America. Sister Pat Farrell, the president of LCWR, responds.

Some states, like Georgia, have a waiting list for people who need help paying for AIDS drugs. With increased federal funding on its way for HIV/AIDS treatment, states are hoping that they can care for more people. But the cost of care remains high, so the waits may remain, too.

Mitt Romney is set to depart from London Saturday, after three days of photo ops and closed meetings. But his assessment of London's handling of the games drew a rebuke from Prime Minister David Cameron. Host Scott Simon chats with Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman about the visit and the perceptions formed by Romney's hosts.

Throughout this week, NPR's Kelly McEvers has been bringing us stories from parts of Syria controlled by the rebels who are fighting to oust the regime of Bashar Assad. She talks with host Scott Simon about her reporting.

NPR's Tom Goldman talks with host Scott Simon about the first medal events, including cycling and swimming.