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The bacterium D. radiodurans can survive thousands of times more radiation than any other living creature -- because it has a unique ability to repair genetic damage extremely efficiently. Scientists have been trying to discover how the bug pulls of this nifty trick for 40 years. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

In the first of a three-part series on cloning, NPR's Joe Palca reports on the stem cell research that's being conducted at publicly funded research labs in Britain. The stem cells are derived from human embryos that are discarded by in-vitro fertilization clinics. Scientists around the world oppose the use of cloning techniques to create human babies. But they support the cloning of embryos for stem cell research, which has the potential to produce new treatments for various diseases.

As the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, political debate over abortion continues. With Republicans now in control of both the House and Senate, supporters of the decision, which guarantees a woman's right to an abortion, fear it could be overturned. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

Village Voice Media and New Times Media reach an agreement with the Justice Department after being accused of anti-trust law violations. Federal attorneys say the two alternative newspaper chains illegally divided up their Los Angeles and Cleveland markets. NPR's Laura Sydell reports.

Record companies settle a $67-million class-action lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 41 states, agreeing to pay money to anyone who purchased a CD between 1995 and 2000. The suit alleged that major record labels conspired to keep CD prices artificially high. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

In Baghdad, top U.N. weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei say they see "the beginning of a change of heart on the part of Iraq." But they also express caution, and warn Iraq to take more steps to facilitate the inspection process. NPR's Anne Garrels reports from Baghdad.

As violence continued to flare in the Middle East, American diplomats say they are mediating talks between Palestinian and Israeli security forces in an attempt to end 10 days of violence. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Barak today repeated his ultimatum that PLO Leader Yasser Arafat must rein in Palestinian protesters or consider the peace process finished. But it's not clear Arafat has the power to stop demonstrations. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports from Hebron.

NPR's David Molpus visits a group of flex-time lawyers in Philadelphia, as he continues to explore how Americans are changing the way they work. The lawyers discuss how their part-time work schedules affect their career advancement and their family lives. Many American workers are discovering the benefits of flexible work schedules, but there are drawbacks. This report is the latest in the NPR series, "The Changing Face of America."

Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan expresses skepticism for President Bush's $1.3-trillion tax-cut package and says Congress must to get the budget deficit under control before it considers any further tax cuts. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

NPR's Julie Rovner reports on efforts on Capitol Hill to develop a "patients' bill of rights," which seems unlikely to be approved this year. Negotiators also are working on a "drug reimportation" bill, which would make it easier to import US made drugs after they've been exported, and sell them at lower prices than drugs intended for the US market. The drug bill's chances of becoming law are unclear. It is attached to a popular agriculture measure, and has a better chance of survival than if it stood alone.