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This second of two reports explores the practice of American farmers using Brazilian soil. The land is a fraction of what it costs in the Midwest, labor is cheap, and the climate hospitable enough to grow crops 12 months a year. But U.S. farmers have other issues to deal with there.

The Supreme Court hears arguments on an Oregon state law allowing physician-assisted suicide. The high court will decide whether the Justice Department has the authority to override state laws regulating the prescription of drugs and the practices of doctors.

With natural gas prices soaring, the Bush administration is encouraging all Americans to conserve. The Department of Energy is working with private sector groups to promote energy efficiency. At the same time, it's also cutting funds for research on energy efficiency.

Returning New Orleans residents are scrambling to find livable accommodations. Rents are skyrocketing. And some think the price of undamaged homes will too.

Three weeks after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans officially welcomes back its first residents. The Algiers area is the first to open. But some officials think it's too soon because of contaminated water and lack of utilities, among other problems.

Researchers are suggesting that flawed construction -- not storm surges -- likely caused key floodwalls around New Orleans to fail. They say the waters of Lake Pontchartrain never got high enough to rise above the walls and erode their foundations, the early explanation for the levee collapses.

Host Steve Inskeep talks with Majora Carter, one of the newly announced recipients of this year's MacArthur Fellowships. Carter founded a community organization that researches and develops sustainable projects for South Bronx.

Joshua Bell has won a Grammy, and his playing helped composer John Corigliano to an Oscar for The Red Violin. At 37, Bell has played with every major orchestra in the world. He joins Fred Child for music and conversation in NPR's Studio 4A.

A suicide car bomber attacks a three-car U.S. diplomatic convoy in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, killing four Americans. And in Basra, British troops are clashing with Iraqi militias.

Hurricane Rita gains strength as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico on a path toward Texas, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for much of the Texas coast. But its path may mean New Orleans experiences only rain and wind. Even so, the city continues its evacuation.