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NPR's Ted Clark reports that the United States has criticized its close ally Germany over German discrimination against members of the Church of Scientology. The disagreement highlights two different approaches to the relationship between a state and religion. The U.S. keeps the two separate...unlike Germany, which certifies the status of religion in the state.

The Clinton Administration has announced the first steps in a crackdown on smugglers who bring freon gas into the U.S. The gas is widely used in older car and home air conditioners and refrigerators, but it has been banned since 1994. Freon is thought to a primary culprit in the destruction of the earth's ozone layer. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

Jon Miller reports on the flurry of activity last night and today around the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru. Last night President Alberto Fujimori softened his tone towards the kidnappers holding eighty-three hostages, and cheering and singing could be heard from inside the residence. With hopes raised for a breakthrough, police today allowed journalists inside the building.

NPR's John McChesney reports that America Online is coming under increasing pressure to do something about the long delays its customers are experiencing when they try to log on to the online service. AOL has had trouble keeping up with surging demand ever since it switched to a flat rate for unlimited service. The company denied that it has changed its refund policy.

Noah talks to Chris Hedges, a New York Times correspondent in Belgrade. Hedges traveled to Serbia's mining region to report on the state of the opposition movement outside of Belgrade. In the town of Bor, the opposition group is trying to gain the support of the miners, but the miners are wary of joining the protests. They are concerned that they might lose their jobs.

In celebration of Black History Month, reporter Neal Rauch [rowch] profiles the controversial actor and singer Paul Robeson. Perhaps best known for his definitive rendition of "Old Man River", Robeson's career was ruined when he was blacklisted in the 1950's for his outspoken views on communism and his criticism of the treatment of blacks in the United States.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration says that a geomagnetic storm that originated on the sun may explain why a major communications satellite stopped functioning two weeks ago. NASA captured the most comprehensive images ever of the storm, including a sequence showing a cloud of solar particles lifting off the sun and heading toward Earth. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

NPR's John Ydstie reports the President's new team of economic policymakers are not expected to take the country in any surprising new directions. The emphasis will be on figuring out a way to balance the federal budget while trying to make investments, particularly in education, that will allow the country to increase productivity and living standards in the future.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports that President Clinton held a press conference today to announce more cabinet nominations for his second term. He's named Bill Daley to head the Commerce Department and New Mexico Congressman Bill Richardson as United Nations ambassador. Also, Janet Reno will continue as the nation's Attorney General.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that a broad and deep stock market sell-off in Japan this week is just a continuation of the economic problems Japan has had since it allowed runaway speculation of carry its stock and land prices to unsustainable levels in the 1980s. Some economists believe that Japan's experience has important lessons for the U.S.