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NPR News Science Correspondent Richard Harris reports that scientists have been surprised by a rapid change in the Arctic Tundra. When the Arctic air warmed up in the 1980s, this delicate ecosystem started venting large quantities of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, potentially adding to global climate change. But a study in the journal "Nature" finds that arctic plant life has adapted to the changing climate, and is helping soak up some carbon dioxide.

Bill Zeeble of member station KERA in Dallas reports that the city has a new record -- sixty-one days and counting without rain. The previous record was 58 days set back in 1934 and tied in 1950. The dry spell has hit North Texas farmers hard, and it is starting to occasionally impact the city's drinking water. It is also drying out the soil causing the foundations of many houses to settle and generating business for local foundation repair companies.

Julia Barton of member station WHYY reports that protesters arrested outside last week's Republican National Convention remain in jail days later, and refuse to give their names to police. The protesters say people could be singled out if they did give real names, but police contend protesters are remaining in jail by choice.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from London on Cuban photographer Alberto Korda's lawsuit against a British ad agency for using his world famous photo of Cuban Revolutionary Che Guervara to sell vodka. Korda snapped the picture in 1960 and later gave it away to an Italian publisher. The lawsuit argues that Korda's copyright has been infringed, even though it seems as if the photo is in the public domain.

NPR's Mary Ann Akers reports on Firestone's announcement today that it is recalling six-and-a-half million tires of a type that has been linked with 46 deaths. The tires are used on light trucks and sport utility vehicles, and have been blamed in accidents that involved the tread separating from the tire casing. The incidents have occurred mainly in southern states in hot weather. Most of the tires have been installed on Ford Explorers.

Janet Heimlich reports form Brownsville, Texas, where a jury decided not to award punitive damages to a Tejano family who sued to regain lost profits from mineral rights discovered on their former land. Last week, the same jury gave the Balli family 1.1 million dollars in compensatory damages; the case is potentially groundbreaking since it could open the door to similar claims by Mexican American families.

Christine Arrasmith from member station KPLU reports that officials in Washington state are trying to get rid of a loophole that allows naturally occurring radioactive waste to be stored at a private facility in the state. The discovery of waste from foreign countries like Spain being stored in eastern Washington has state officials concerned the state will turn into a dump for imported nuclear waste.

Studies show few U-S students are proficient at basic geography and it doesn't get much better when they grow up: nearly half of Americans don't know the population of the U.S.; three in ten can't use a map to calculate distance or directions. A group of educators want to change how geography is taught ... making instruction both more relevant and more rigorous. Jodi Becker of Chicago Public Radio reports.

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on the surprise selection of Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman as Vice President Al Gore's running mate. Lieberman, the first Jew on a major-party national ticket, is well regarded for his integrity. And he was a strong critic of President Clinton's behavior during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Polls indicate that morality and family values rank high on a list of voter concerns. But Lieberman also parts company with Gore on some issues, such as school vouchers.

Jacky Rowland reports from Belgrade that the Yugoslav Army said today it will file terrorism charges against two British policemen and two Canadians arrested in Montenegro last week. The two Britons were serving in Kosovo, helping train a new police force. The Canadians were also working in Kosovo, for a construction company. The four say they were just taking a holiday break in Montenegro. The Yugoslav government is exploiting the case politically, ahead of next month's presidential election.