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NPR's John Ydstie reports the Federal Reserve cut short-term interest rates by a quarter-point today. Policymakers at the Fed cut the Fed Funds rate -- the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans -- to 5.25 percent. It was the third time in the last six months the Fed has moved to lower rates over concern about weakness in the economy.

NPR's Richard Harris reports that researchers have found evidence that the United States was hit by a series of asteroids or comets similar to those that struck Jupiter recently. In the case of the U.S., the impacts may have occurred an estimated 300 million years ago. If confirmed, this would be the first such string of impacts found on Earth.

Robert Siegel speaks with Washington Post China correspondent Steven Mufson. They discuss a Human Right's Watch report just released which charges horrendous conditions and systematic neglect resulting in death in Chinese orphanages. The group documents conditions from a few years ago. china replies that such conditions never existed and certainly don't exist now.

Regina Sansalone reports from Rome on the trial of Italy's former Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, and his alleged links to the Mafia. Tommaso Buscetta, the mafia informer whose testimony has implicated more than 300 mafia figures, said in court today that he knew of Adreotti's links to the mob more than 10 years ago.

Last night, congressional Republicans offered a lightly different version of their stop-gap spending bill. The Republicans ased off on their demand that the only figures used in setting a budget should ome from the congressional budget office. The Clinton administration is xpected to respond today. NPR'S Jonathon Greenberg reports on the latest budget evelopments.

Bobbie O'Brien reports from Tampa, Florida on a recent study which shows that cutting mangrove trees along waterfront property drastically effects the coastal ecosystem. Recent relaxation of environmental laws has allowed homeowners to cut mangrove trees without obtaining a permit.

On the eve of Rene Preval's inauguration as Haiti's next president, David Welna reports from Port-au-Prince on on the legacy of outgoing Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He points to disbanding the military as one of his accomplishments, yet getting at the truth about human rights has been difficult. The U.S. has yet to turn over documents that would further the task.

A House committee today issued 28 subpoenas for documents relating to the White House Travel Office firings. NPR's Jon Greenberg reports that the the committee wants to look further into White House allegations serious financial mismanagement was behind the 1993 firing of seven longtime travel office employees. The White House has accused the Republican-led committee of political grandstanding.

Essayist Mike Renfro explains why Texas's recent law llowing concealed firearms actually provides an incentive for residents of the onghorn state to be friendly to one another. In a separate essay, Philadelphia nquirer reporter Alfred Lubrano shares how his infatuation with guns ended bruptly after he covered a senseless murder.

THIS WEEK, IN COMMEMORATION OF WEEKEND EDITION'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY MONTH, WE ARE RE-AIRING A STORY ABOUT NATASHA DUDINSKA (doo-DIN-skuh), A CZECHOSLOVAKIAN STUDENT ACTIVIST THAT REPORTER ALEX CHADWICK MET SIX YEARS AGO WHEN HE WENT TO COVER THE ANTI-COMMUNIST REVOLUTIONS IN EUROPE.