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NPR's Richard Harris reports on the future of the international space station. Russia launched a new module for the station yesterday after two years of delays. This move brings the space station closer to being a permanent outpost, though it will probably be another six years before the station is finally complete.

Janet Heimlich reports from Austin, on the way public defenders in capital murder cases are chosen in Texas. County judges appoint private attorneys to represent indigent murder defendants. Critics say the system is flawed because there's no guarantee that a defendant will get a competent lawyer, or that the judge will approve funds to properly investigate the defendant's case.

Martha Barnett the incoming president of the American Bar Association urged the nation's lawyers to support a death penalty moratorium, saying there is widespread unfairness and even gross injustice in the way it is applied.

Trish Anderton of New Hampshire Public Radio reports on the impeachment of a state judge in New Hampshire for the first time since 1790. David Brock was the Chief Justice of the State Supreme court; now he faces a trial in the state senate that could last more than a month.

NPR's Debbie Elliott reports a Florida jury will soon decide how much in punitive damages the tobacco industry should pay to some half-million Florida smokers. The same jury has already found that the tobacco companies made a dangerous and defective product. It awarded nearly thirteen-million dollars in compensatory damages to three plaintiffs. Now, the attorney for the smokers is asking for a judgement of as much as 196-billion dollars to punish the industry for its past conduct. But lawyers for the cigarette companies say that kind of an award would put the companies out of business.

Noah talks with Brian Graunke, a resident of Medford, Oregon who was a victim of identity fraud. He and his wife were tipped off to the problem when Sprint called them to ask about an application for an account that was made in their names. They had not submitted the application. Identity theft has become one of the top concerns of American consumers, according to the Federal Trade Commission. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee held a hearing on the subject yesterday.

Many people feared violence and protests would tarnish the Thirteenth International AIDS Conference in Africa, which ends tomorrow in Durban, South Africa. Some participants even withdrew because of concerns about their safety. But as NPR's Richard Knox reports, the meeting has taken place virtually without incident.

Host Madeleine Brand talks to Capicine Favet, spokesperson for WM Event, organizers of the Giant Bastille Day Picnic in France about tomorrow's celebration. The banquet table stretches from northern Dunkirk to France's border with Spain.

Host Madeleine Brand talks to reporter Phil Mercer who is in Suva about the latest developments in Fiji. Deposed Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and 17 other political hostages were freed today after being held for 56 days by nationalists demanding an end to ethnic Indian political power.

NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports on two studies in this week's New England Journal of Medicine, that show how emergency rooms could save millions of dollars in X-Rays and CAT scans.

Host Madeleine Brand talks to NPR's Rob Gifford about today's meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen and China's President, Jiang Zemin. The issues they will be discussing include Taiwan, U.S. plans for a missile defense system, and arms proliferation.

NPR's Tom Goldman reports on the economics of small-market baseball. Unlike major league football, professional baseball revenues aren't widely shared among franchises. Teams like the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves earn significant money from TV contracts, and that allows them to afford the sport's top talent. But smaller-market teams must rely on fan loyalty to fill the ballpark. And while they may nurture young, rising stars, these teams know that talented players are likely to go where the money takes them.