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Retired U.S. military officers are training and equipping a joint Muslim and Croat army in Bosnia to defend their territory against a possible attack by the Bosnian Serbs. But NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that U.S. officials are concerned that the program may not prepare the Bosnian Federation for the most likely dangers it is expected to face: infighting between the Croat and Muslim sides, and militancy among the hard-line Muslim nationalists.

Oliver North, key figure in the Iran Contra affair, radio talk show host, and failed Senate candidate, was out today trying to interest a convention of law enforcement professional in his company's spring line of protective gear. He's marketing something called Gold Shield - a composite of the latest technologies - said by North, to be the strongest material there is for such use. NPR's Art Silverman reports.

President Clinton met with members of the Republican leadership today to discuss balancing the budget. The White House said the President was pleased with the meeting, but House Speaker Newt Gingrich indicated it was unlikely both sides could agree before the election on a long-term plan to balance the budget. Instead, the Republicans sais their legislative agenda will be to fund the government for the rest of the year, and pass a farm bill and a scaled-down line-item veto. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

NPR's Tovia Smith reports on an aggressive new policing program in Boston. The program sends cops and local probation officers out at night together to look for offenders out past curfew. Unlike police, probation officers don't need a warrant to go into an offender's home. Officials say they're catching lots of violators this way, but critics charge it crosses the line and is a violation of privacy.

Noah Adams speaks with Griff Hubbard, a fifth generation railroad man. He is the station agent for Amtrak in Longview, Texas. Amtrak has announced plans to end service on several lines, including the passenger train that goes through Longview once a day, six days a week.Mr. Hubbard maintains that many people still rely on trains for long distance travel...people for whom autos or planes are not practical.

NPR's Elaine Korry reports on how brick-and-mortar stores like Williams Sonoma, Barnes and Nobel, and Target are using the Internet to augment their business. Though last season saw dismal on-line services by these types of companies, they've since applied their merchandising and promotional know-how to their own web-sites. Now Internet-only companies are looking toward the traditional retailers to find ways to improve their businesses.

Host Bob Edwards talks with Texas State Senator Teel Bivens and Professor George Edwards, Director of the Center for Presidential Studies at Texas A&M, about the prospect of Texas Governor George W. Bush appointing Democrats to his Cabinet. Both men have worked extensively with Bush and say that the governor's bipartisan record in Texas will continue. Some past presidents have crossed party lines with Cabinet appointments, but it hasn't always guaranteed legislative bipartisanship.

Delta Air Lines, the nation's third-largest carrier, is making a change to retirement benefits that would affect thousands of employees and could spark a move to unionize. Delta is the least unionized of all the major airlines, but like its rivals is facing financial times. Joshua Levs reports.

President Bush announces a plan to make an effective but risky smallpox vaccine available to all Americans. Military personnel and health care workers will get the innoculations first -- the front-line defense against a potential bioterror attack. Availability of vaccine played a big part in the administration's approach to the threat. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports on the proposed merger of America On-Line and Time Warner. Opponents to the deal, including Disney and Microsoft, say the merger could allow Time Warner to dominate interactive TV and AOL to shut out other instant messenger competitors. These opponents say getting the federal government involved is the only way to limit the new company's power. (

Scott Horsley of member station KPBS in San Diego reports on findings by Federal Regulators on this past summer's surge in electricity prices in the area. Some San Diego residents had power bills that were three-times higher than usual. Regulators say the blame lies with how California deregulated its power market, and have suggested some changes to keep prices in line.

In the deadliest single attack since the fall of Saddam Hussein, a car bomb kills at least 115 people and wounds more than 130. The suicide bomber struck as prospective members of the country's police and national guard lined up for physical exams in the city of Hilla, south of Baghdad.

Of the South's newly thriving cities, few have risen from the ashes of economic and political crisis as quickly as Atlanta — due in large part to its mayor, Shirley Franklin. She is not only the first woman ever to hold that office in Atlanta, but also the first African-American woman to run a large city south of the Mason-Dixon line.

Road bowling has been played in Ireland for over 300 years. David Powell saw the game on TV and brought it back to Ireland, West Virginia. Bowlers hurl an iron and steel ball down a country road. Like golf, the player or team who reaches the finish line in the fewest shots wins.

When it comes to devouring wood, termites are actually quite picky, according to researchers. Scientists have discovered that termites use vibrations to identify the perfect meal. Now a high-tech front line is opening in the battle over floor joists.

Nearly a year after Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake caused a national uproar over a Super Bowl performance, American families continue to worry about what their children watch on television. NPR's Robert Siegel visits two households that have decided to set strict limits on TV watching, and finds that the concerns run across political lines.

A new high-tech soccer ball might make things a little easier for the referees. It could end second-guessing that arises when a ball barely crosses the goal line. A German firm has put a transmitter in the center of the ball, which send signals to a computer for precise tracking of the ball.

Now that U.S. forces have engaged the Iraqi Republican Guard south of Baghdad, American artillery will play an increasingly important role. The big 155 mm howitzers line up several miles behind the front to support the forward infantry. For the gun crews, it's often a lonely, thankless job, but they draw satisfaction from their gun's reputation as the "king of battle". NPR's John Burnett reports from central Iraq.

Baghdad's Al Durah power station provides electricity to about half of the city of five million. It's been shut down since it was hit by a U.S. airstrike over a week ago. Now, U.S. troops are working with Iraqi engineers to bring it back on line. NPR's Jackie Northam reports from Baghdad.

With its raw sexuality, A Streetcar Named Desire broke taboos on stage and screen. It also brought one of the most famous lines ever shouted on film: "Stellaaaaa!" As part of the Present at the Creation series, NPR's Debbie Elliott explores the origins of Tennessee Williams' steamy, tragic tale of a fallen southern belle.

One of three women on the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council survives an attempt to kill her. Aquila al-Hashimi is in stable condition after being shot outside her Baghdad home Saturday. She was in line to become the new Iraqi representative to the United Nations. NPR's Guy Raz reports.

Cable companies, unlike traditional phone companies, do not have to give competing providers access to their broadband lines, according to a new Supreme Court finding. Consumer groups, along with the ACLU and companies like Microsoft and Disney, said customers would now likely pay higher costs.

Utilities begin the process of rebuilding power lines and restoring electricity in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Charley. Hundreds of thousands of residents in the area around Port Charlotte remain without power. Utility officials warn it will take weeks to restore power completely. Hear NPR's Phillip Davis.

Pakistanis have a proud tradition of feeding the hungry. But as the country approaches economic default, lines for free meals are growing longer even in once-prosperous cities.

About 48,000 unionized academic workers across the University of California's 10 campuses have taken to the picket line, calling for better pay and benefits.