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South Korea today returned the remains of 24 North Korean infiltrators after North Korea apologized for trying to slip the men into South Korea by submarine in September. With that apology, Ted Clark reports that the way is clear for improvement of diplomatic, military and economic relations between the United States and North Korea.

NPR's Susan Stamberg reports on renewed interest this year in the life and career of Noel Coward. Three new books, including two full scale biographies...and a Broadway revival of "Present Laughter" starring Frank Langella ...are shedding new light on the playwright and songwriter whose works defined witty sophistication.

Steve Krueger of member station KPLU in Tacoma, Washington, reports on the apparent suicide of Evan Hunziger. Hunziger was held for months by North Korean officials after begin accused of spying. Hunziger claimed he was spreading the gospel. He was released in November and returned home but was found today dead of a gunshot wound.

With the New Year about to begin, two of the most powerful political figures in the country face serious ethical questions. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports on the growing scandal swirling around House Speaker Newt Gingrich and the concerns being raised about how President Clinton and the Democratic National Committee raised campaign funds from foreign donors.

Flying tourists over the Grand Canyon is big business. But the federal government now says it's too noisy, and has decided to restrict where, when and how often planes and helicopters can cruise over the West's top tourist attraction. NPR's Howard Berkes reports that neither environmentalists nor tour companies are happy with the compromise regulations.

NPR's Tovia Smith reports on a move by the state of Massachusetts to require high school students to pass a 'GED' test before receiving a diploma. The equivalency test is usually administered to dropouts or prisoners trying to get a diploma but some in the state want to use it as a check on what students are learning in their schools.

From Moscow, NPR's Andy Bowers reports that Russian President Boris Yeltsin has appeared on television, fifteen days after heart bypass surgery. He said he is in what he called "a fighting mood". He also told Kremlin officials they will be held accountable for their actions while he has been away.

Critic Bob Mondello reports on the "indefinite postponement" of the Broadway premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest musical, "Whistle Down the Wind." This latest problem with a Lloyd Webber musical has many people asking if Sir Andrew's lost his touch. Mondello says that Lloyd Webber's overdue for a monster hit...and not to count him out just yet.

The Hubble Space Telescope has taken the first clear pictures of distant galaxies containing quasars. Quasars are the most violent events in the universe...and astronomers are surprised to discover that they come from rather ordinary looking galaxies. This discovery is forcing scientists to rethink their theories about quasar formation. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

After appearances by Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin before House and Senate committees yesterday and today, the parameters of the budget debate are beginning to emerge. There's likely to be agremeent on changing the way the Consumer Price Index is calculated, for example, but disagreement over a capital gains tax. Still, NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that this budget negotiation is likely to be much easier than in previous years.