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The Democrats need only seven seats to recapture control of the House. But they have an uphill fight on their hands to retain the seat of Congressman Michael Forbes of New York. Forbes, who switched to the Democratic party last year, was upset in last month's Democratic primary by a 71-year old political unknown. Republicans, who had vowed revenge against Forbes for his party switch, appear poised to pick up the seat. Beth Fertig of member station WNYC reports from Long Island.

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Rome that tomorrow, Pope John Paul the Second will proclaim Thomas More the patron saint of statesmen and politicians. Thomas More, the Renaissance humanist, jurist, diplomat and author of Utopia, is revered by Christians as a symbol of integrity and conscience. He was beheaded by King Henry the Eighth for refusing to recognize the monarch as England's supreme spiritual leader. The suggestion to make Thomas More the patron saint of politicians came first from former Italian president Francesco Cossiga.

In the final installment of Morning Edition's Leadership series, NPR's Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg talks to Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund. The UNICEF leader talks about what she learned regarding leadership on her own and from others. Bellamy is a former New York State Senator and former chair of the New York City Council.

NPR's David Welna reports that numerous questions remain about the Senate race in Missouri. Missouri's Governor Mel Carnahan, died two weeks ago in a plane crash. Carnahan was the democratic opponent of Senator John Ashcroft. Carnahan's death, however, did not remove is name from the ballot, and now he's actually leading in the polls. Many are wondering what will happen if the state elects the deceased governor to the U.S. Senate.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the latest developments in the Middle East. Israeli helicopter fired rockets at the command centers of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat last night in retaliation for the slayings of two Israelis, presumably by Palestinians.

Kate Seelye reports on how Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territories are using the Internet to keep Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and elsewhere up-to-date on the intifada . The project is sponsored by the West Bank's Bir Zeit University. So far, three refugee camps are on-line, and plans are underway to include many more.

NPR's Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem reports the Israeli parliament reconvened today for the first time since the outbreak of the new Palestinian uprising. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak opened the story session by warning the Palestinians there will be no peace talks as long as the violence continues.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden profiles Marwan Barghouti, one of the chief organizers of the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank. Barghouti says he believes the violence will eventually create better conditions for peace talks with Israel.

With the U.S.S. Cole beginning its journey home from Yemen, NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr looks at America's inability to respond to terrorism.

Robert Siegel talks to NPR's David Welna, who is in Missouri covering the announcement by Jean Carnahan, the widow of Gov. Mel Carnahan, that she will accept appointment to the Senate if her late husband is elected next week. Mel Carnahan was campaigning against Republican Senator John Ashcroft when he died in a plane crash two weeks ago. His death came too late for his name to be removed from the ballot, and so Democrats are urging a vote for Mel Carnahan -- the late Mel Carnahan -- as a tribute. Mel Carnahan's successor, Roger Wilson, had said he would appoint Mrs. Carnahan to the Senate if Ashcroft were to be defeated.