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Much has been made of how "Heaven's Gate" used the Internet to help disseminate their beliefs, but many Internet users caution against the conclusion that the computer network somehow encourages cults. As NPR's John McChesney reports, the idea that the Hale Bopp comet could be accompanied by a UFO got some of its currency from talk radio, and a number of people used the Internet to debunk the group's message.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from London on a murder case that has stirred up a debate about the role of newspapers in British society. The Daily Mail last week printed the pictures and names of five white youths it said killed a young black man four years ago. The Newspaper dared the five to sue the newspaper on charges of libel if the charge is untrue.

NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports on some surprising new findings in a survey of male sexual behavior and overall health after circumcision. Researchers from University of Chicago found that, among circumcised men, the rate of sexually transmitted diseases was not necessarily lower than men whose foreskin was retained. The researchers also found that UNcircumcised men engage in what they call "a more elaborate set of sexual practices."

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports from Kinshasa on the growing anxiety among Zaire's wealthy elite, as anti-government rebels continue their relentless advance towards the capital. Some of the rich are beginning to hide their belongings--and their families--in anticipation of an eventual rebel victory. There is tremendous popular resentment of the wealthy, who have prospered under President Mobutu Sese Seko's corrupt dictatorship for the past three decades.

From member station KERA in Dallas, Texas, Bill Zeeble reports on continuing racial tensions regarding the Dallas school board. Some African-American students and school officials are protesting the composition of a white majority school board. The student population is 90-percent black and hispanic. Tensions escalated when the board chose its first female and hispanic superintendent.

In testimony on Capitol Hill today, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan laid the groundwork today for possibly raising interest rates when the Fed meets next week. Greenspan said there are signs that inflation could rebound, and that the Fed must be proactive in snuffing out any signs of inflation with a rate hike. But lawmakers were not convinced that a rate hike is really necessary, given steady economic growth and stable inflation numbers. NPR's John Ydstie reports.

NPR's Mara Liasson reports on President Clinton's defense today of his choice of overnight White House guests. The President said that the vast majority were personal friends, but that it was "entirely appropriate" to invite political contributors as well. He also broadly defended the use of coffees to entertain donors, saying they abided by "strict legal advice" about what could be done inside the White House.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports from Berlin that after decades of restrictive laws governing when and and for how long stores could do business during the day, Germans today were allowed to do their shopping after work. The change may not sound like much to Americans, but for Germans it is all but revolutionary.

A federal judge today blocked the enforcement of California's Proposition 209, the initiative which was enacted to dismantle state-sponsored affirmative action programs. The judge issued a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the initiative at least until December 16th, when another hearing is scheduled. NPR's Ina Jaffe reports.

NPR's Ted Clark reports that U.S. authorities believe terrorists may be turning to new techniques, including sabotaging computer systems. Such acts could wreak havoc within computer networks and could even lead to thousands of deaths. Authorities are now trying to figure out how to prevent such sabotage, and how to deal with it if it happens.