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Oliver North, key figure in the Iran Contra affair, radio talk show host, and failed Senate candidate, was out today trying to interest a convention of law enforcement professional in his company's spring line of protective gear. He's marketing something called Gold Shield - a composite of the latest technologies - said by North, to be the strongest material there is for such use. NPR's Art Silverman reports.

For the third time since last fall, much of the federal government faces a shut-down on Friday. Legislation to appropriate funding for the rest of the year is on the Senate floor today, and the House has already passed its own bill. But President Clinton, who wants more spending for social programs, is threatening a veto. Senate Republicans say they will probably extend funding for two weeks while both sides work out a compromise. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports.

NPR'S Ted Clark reports that the White House is mulling what to do about Saturday's planned flotilla at the site of last weekend's downing of two planes by Cuba. The administration wants to protect U.S. citizens engaged in the flotilla and also wants to prevent them from setting U.S. policy by provoking another confrontation with Cuba. Meanwhile, the White House and Congress continue to negotiate a bill that would further tighten U.S. sanctions on Cuba.

An Indian classical musician who's invented his own instrument: it looks like a beat-up old Sears guitar with 20 strings. He sits it on his lap and plays it with a slide...like a dobro. And Bhatt uses it to collaborate with Western musicians (Ry Cooder & Taj Mahal)...in fact, his new recording is with bluegrass dobro master Jerry Douglas. It's an interesting collision of cultures. Karen Michel reports.

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports that officials from the European Commission have ordered a ban on all exports of British beef and cattle products. Senior veterinarians from the 15 E.U. governments said the ban should include live cattle, sperm, and embyos, along with products made from beef and veal. While acknowledging there is no clear scientific evidence linking the so-called "mad cow" disease and humans, the officials say there is a need to restore public confidence.

NPR's John Burnett reports that a year after the devestating explosion at the Alfred P. Murray Federal building that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more, Oklahoma City is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy. Survivors have struggled with returning to work, while coping with the loss of friends and co-workers who perished in the explosion, and damaged buildings near the blast site are still being demolished, so rebuilding can be undertaken.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that trade is an important issue in Saturday's South Carolina primary. Commentator Pat Buchanan's protectionist proposals are attractive to textile workers, whose jobs are threatened, some believe, by foreign competition. But the state is also enjoying growth in jobs with foreign-owned firms, and this is giving encouragement to the GOP presidential candidates who favor free trade. Social issues, such as abortion, are also expected to figure prominently in Saturday's voting.

Beginning tomorrow night, Passover. Passover is the holiday in which Jewish families gather to retell the story of Exodus from Egypt. An important part of the traditional preparation for many Jewish families involves going to the store and buying a box factory-made matzah. But for those who follow a strict interpretation of the Torah [TOE-rah], store-bought matzah isn't good enough. Dean Olsher reports on SHMORAH MATZAH. (8:00) (INS

Riverside County California sheriff's deputies have been placed on administrative leave after being videotaped beating two people who were driving a truckfull of illegal immigrants on a California highway. The man and woman apparently put up no resistance as the officers struck them repeatedly with billy clubs. Noah Adams talks with NPR's Mandalit DelBarco who's in Los Angeles and has been reporting on the reaction from the Latino community. (4:30)

NPR's Michael Goldfarb reports from Belfast on the opening day of multi-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. The first day did not go well. The unionists who want to stay as part of Great Britain threatened to walk out...and the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, Sinn Fein (SHIN FAYN), was not allowed into the talks because the I-R-A has not re-instated a cease-fire, which was suspended earlier this year.