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Former CIA deputy director Robert Gates is President Bush's choice to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. His confirmation hearings in the Senate began today. Madeleine Brand talks to Guy Raz, who is reporting from the hearing.

The Senate Armed Services Committee votes unanimously to approve Robert Gates as the new secretary of defense. In his sole day of hearings, Gates faced questions about Iraq and U.S. troop levels. The full Senate will vote on his nomination Wednesday.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan recently called the situation in Iraq worse than civil war. Guests discuss Annan's remarks and his legacy at the U.N., and the resignation of U.S. Ambassador, John Bolton.

Until a decade ago, HIV-infection rates were dropping in the United States. Experts discuss why that trend has reversed and what can be done.

Voters of Texas 23 have cast their ballots. The Democrats can add another point to their column. On Saturday, corrupt Democratic Congressman William Jefferson was handily reelected by the people of New Orleans. Plus, lots to talk about in the run-up to the 2008 presidential election with NPR's political editor, Ken Rudin.

Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet has died at the age of 91. Pinochet came to power after a 1973 coup and became one of South America's most famous rulers. Debbie Elliott talks with Nathan Crooks, editor of the Santiago Times, about violence erupting in the Chilean capital today after news of Pinochet's death broke.

Iraqi officials give their reaction to the Iraq Study group report that was released Wednesday. Other advisors to the Iraq Study Group also join us for more discussion of U.S. policies in Iraq.

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was recovering from brain surgery Thursday at George Washington University Hospital. As official Washington extended good wishes for his recovery, it also puzzled over the effect that his illness may have on control of the Senate.

Former United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, a prominent conservative thinker, has died at 80. Kenneth Adelman, who served as deputy U.N. ambassador during Kirkpatrick's term, discusses Kirkpatrick's career.

As Shanghai undergoes a radical facelift, tens of thousands of residents are forcibly displaced from their homes each year. Many say real-estate developers are conspiring with officials to seize property for little or no compensation.