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NPR's Peter Overby reports that some of the recent campaign fundraising scandals revolve around foreign trade missions organized by the Commerce Department. The missions are intended to promote U.S. businesses overseas, but some experts question their real value other than to reward big political donors. The missions are not limited to the current Democratic administration, but were also used widely in the previous Republican administrations.

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott says Alexis Herman's confirmation as Labor Secretary is being held up by questions about her political activities when she worked at the White House. The Republican-led Senate is looking into Herman's role in a White House gathering last year, in which President Clinton and the Comptroller of the Currency met with banking industry executives. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports that the Clinton administration today received the highest Chinese military delegation ever to visit Washington, which is a strong sign that the administration means what it says about improving relations with Beijing. The delegation included the Chinese defense minister, who was the military commander during the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports on today's verdict in the Food Lion suit against ABC news. The jury awarded five and a half million dollars in punitive damages to the grocery store chain. Two producers from the program "Prime Time Live" worked in the meat department and used undercover cameras to document unsanitary conditions. Two weeks ago, the jury decided that ABC had committed fraud by sending in the producers as workers.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on an experiment in the New York City subway system this week. At one stop, platform controllers were out in great numbers to enforce this radical concept: that those trying to get ON the train should step aside, and wait for those getting OFF. The idea is to speed the flow of trains during rush hour. Subway riders generally think the idea's great, and probably necessary only in New York.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that the defection of a high-level North Korean official to the South Korean Embassy in Beijing puts China in a diplomatic quandary. It also raises questions about U-S efforts to bring about four-party peace talks concerning the Korean peninsula.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports that the London art world is buzzing over allegations of smuggling made against the London branch of art auctioneers Sotheby's (SUH-thuh-bees). At least two senior employees have been suspended after a television program aired last night which showed Sotheby's employees arranging for an 18th century painting to be smuggled from Italy to Britain.

For years, newspapers and yellow pages have had a virtual monopoly on certain kinds of advertising. But the swift rise of the internet is creating new forms of competition that could change the established order. Websites that specialize in local events and entertainment are springing up in cities around the country...and many of these sites are expected to aggressively compete for local advertising dollars. NPR's John McChesney reports.

From the Peruvian capital Lima, reporter Jon Miller updates the ongoing hostage situation at the Japanese Ambassador's residence. Tomorrow marks the second month of captivity for 72 people being held by the Peruvian rebels, who are demanding the release of their comrades in jail. In the past week, there have been three meetings between the Peruvian government and the rebels to decide what the agenda will be for future talks.

Commentator Frosty Troy says there is a lot of exaggeration in reporting about "outlandish jury awards." From the Karen Silkwood case to the McDonald's coffee case, final awards are just a fraction of what the jury recommends. Legal fees, medical fees and other fees tend to eat up most of the big awards...that is, if there is anything left after appeals.