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NPR's Vicky O'Hara reports that the the harsh new social rules imposed in the Afghan capital of Kabul after its takeover by the extremist Islamic Taliban militia has triggered serious concern among Human Rights Organizations. No less an international figure than UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has warned Kabul's new fundamentalist rulers of "severe repercussions" if they persist in discirminating against women.

NPR's Richard Harris reports that the Clinton administration today issued long-anticipated regulations aimed at restricting smoking by young people. The move for the first time gives the Food and Drug Administration jurisdiction over cigarettes and other tobacco products. The regulations include a number of measures aimed at making it harder for young people to get cigarettes, including restrictions on advertising and sales of tobacco products.

NPR's Melissa Block reports from the salvage scene on Long Island. Investigators have been talking to a number of people who were in the area when the Boeing 747 went down last week--some say they saw something suspicious just before the crash, but no one has been able to confirm their claims. Meanwhile, investigators say early indications that there is residue of explosives on some of the wreckage were WRONG, and that they have not found any residue.

NPR's Richard Harris reports that researchers have for the first time deciphered the complete genetic blueprint of an organism known as an 'archaea'. These microorganisms have long been thought to represent a form of life distinct from the two major forms of life, prokaryotes (PROH-kare-ee-otts) and eukaryotes (YOO-kare-ee-otts). The blueprint confirms this distinction.

NPR's Martha Raddatz reports on NATO forces in Bosnia and war criminals. Earlier this week, IFOR spokesmen said the Bosnian Serbs had denied inspectors access to a weapons bunker. It turns out that the NATO soldiers decided not to go in because Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic was to be their escort. Mladic is an indicted war criminal and NATO has standing orders for its soldiers to arrest Mladic.

NPR's Dan Charles reports that a patent used in DNA fingerprinting and throughout the biotech industry is being called into question. A court has ruled that the company that applied for the patent withheld crucial information from the U.S. Patent Office. The ruling could have widespread implications for the biotech industry by allowing competition into an area that has been dominated by the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Hoffmann-LaRoche.

President Clinton signed legislation today that will create a major overhaul of the welfare system. It hands over most welfare money and decisions to the states, while placing a five-year lifetime limit on benefits. The president's signing ceremony is his third public event this week, showcasing the advantage of running for the presidency from the White House. NPR'S Mara Liasson reports.

There's another delay in the vote count in Bosnia. International organizers say it will be Wednesday before they can announce results in the most closely watched race...the race for the three-man national presidency. In Sarajevo, NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Western diplomats believe the Bosnian Serbs will have to cooperate with the Muslim-Croat Federation, despite the separatist campaign prior to the election. The diplomats believe the Serbs have no other option but to cooperate.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports that the California attorney general today charged former Los Angeles Police detective Mark Fuhrman with perjury. During the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson, Fuhrman testified that he had not used a racial slur against African-Americans during the last ten years, but four witnesses contradicted him. Fuhrman appeared in court today and pleaded not guilty.

NPR's Melissa Block reports from New York City that Ramzi Yousef (RAHM-zee YOO-seff) and his two co-defendants have been found guilty in their trial, which accused them of a scheme to blow up American jets in retaliation against the United States for its policies in the Middle East. Yousef still faces charges that he masterminded the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.