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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on whether dying patients should have the right to doctor-assisted suicide. The court is reviewing cases from New York and Washington state. The justices' ruling on the controversial question could have profound consequences for most Americans. Proponents of doctor-assisted suicide say terminally-ill people have the right to a physician's help in ending their final suffering. Opponents say establishing a right to die conflicts with states' interest in protecting life and shields people from undue influence to choose suicide. NPR's Nina Totenberg has a report.

which finds that black patients with serious heart disease are less likely to undergo heart bypass surgery, than white patients with similar symptoms. The study says that fact may explain the higher death rate from heart disease among black patients.

special assistant to the new U.N. Secretary General, about the challenges facing Kofi Annan.

Commentator Bill Harley recounts how his best teacher meandered off the subject at hand and left an indelible impression on him. "Birdwalking" is a term of derision used by educators about this practice.

The Supreme Court heard arguments today on whether to reinstate sexual assault charges against a former Tennessee judge. The judge originally was convicted of depriving several women of their constitutional rights by assaulting them, while acting in his official capacity as a judge. But a federal appeals court threw out the conviction, concluding that freedom from sexual attack is not a constitutional right. The judge was never charged with sexual assault under state law. His brother was the local prosecutor. NPR's Nina Totenberg has a report.

Jon Miller reports from Lima that Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori today indicated that he will not resort to force to end the hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence. Speaking in public for just the third time since the standoff began, Fujimori said he remains steadfast in his refusal to release jailed leftist rebels, the main demand of the guerrillas who took over the compound. But the Peruvian leader also said his position is a mixture of "firmness" and "prudence," and that he is looking for a way out of the crisis. It was three weeks ago today that rebels of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement seized the compound during a party; several hundred hostages have been released, but 74 remain, including senior Peruvian officials and Japanese businessmen.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the appearance made by Madeleine Albright at hearings on Capitol Hill today. President Clinton has nominated her as the next Secretary of State. If she is approved by the Senate, she would be the first woman in U.S. history to hold such a high office.

Linda talks with NPR's Steven Inskeep about continuing negotiations in Washington to avert a possible strike by pilots at American Airlines. Talks continue on a new contract, but there's been no significant progress on issues such as pay increases and whether lower-paid pilots for American Eagle, American's subsidiary for shorter flights, would be allowed to fly a new generation of smaller planes for regional traffic. The strike deadline is midnight Friday.

Reporter Frank Browning remembers lawyer and activist Tom Stoddard, who advanced the cause of equal rights for gay men, lesbians, people with AIDS in this country. Stoddard headed up the Lambda Legal Defense and Education fund for six years, making it a nationally influential organization, fighting discrimination against homosexuals and AIDS patients in employment, housing, health care, insurance, family law, and military service.

Singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler speaks with Noah and performs an amusing song appropriate for the day before Thanksgiving. The Potato Song praises the virtues of the tuber to the tune of "The Mexican Hat Dance." Cheryl Wheeler will be joining us tomorrow and provide some more reflective musical thoughts for the holiday.