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For years, Israeli police have used what they call "physical pressure" to extract information from suspected terrorists. Human rights activists have documented hundreds of cases of what they call torture of Palestinian prisoners. Eric Weiner reports that there is a movement in Israel to legalize this type of activity. They say that it is necessary to interrogate prisoners aggressively because there is the constant threat of terrorism by Palestinians in their country.

About 70 unionized Red Cross workers went on strike today in parts of West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, over what they consider inadequate pay hikes and benefits and proposed cuts in allowances for uniforms and continuing education. The walk-out by members of Local 1199 of the Health Care and Social Security Employees Union cancelled blood collections over parts of the three states. Eric Westervelt reports.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that President Clinton is vowing to make Latin America a higher foreign policy priority during his second term. The president has appointed a special envoy to the region, and plans to make his first trip there sometime next year. Clinton faces various challenges, including expanding free trade, promoting democracy, and fighting drugs.

NPR's Ina Jaffe reports on closing arguments made by the defense in the wrongful-death civil trial of OJ Simpson. Simpson's lawyers told the jury they should not trust the physical evidence: that it was tainted by police mishandling, and could easily have been tampered with or planted. Lead defense attorney Robert Baker says the lawsuit against the former football star is about money, not justice, and that the plaintiffs' attorneys are shamelessly appealing to jurors' emotions. The case is not expected to go to the jury until next week.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on some of the less-than-classic items for sale in the marketplaces of Jerusalem. Tourists can buy Jesus pens, Jesus key chains, even a glow-in-the-dark Jesus. Those who want to take a bit of Jerusalem home with them can buy a Holy Kit, complete with such items as olive oil supposedly taken from the Church of the Sepulchre.

Outside the Chicago Museum of Science and History, you can actually walk through U505, the only remaining intact German U-boat, captured by the Allies on the high seas during World War II. But Chicago's winters have taken a toll on the U505. NPR's Rick Karr reports that its caretakers are trying to find the ways and the means to bring it in out of the elements for good.

Consumer advocates are warning the public to stay away from a new type of home-equity loan, which many homeowners are finding attractive. Traditional home-equity loans require the borrower to have an equity stake of at least 10% before using the home as collateral. The new loans throw out such restrictions and allow homeowners to borrow tens of thousands of dollars without having any equity. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

The House has voted to punish Speaker Newt Gingrich with a reprimand and a penalty of 300-thousand dollars. The action was recommended by a special counsel who investigated charges that Gingrich gave false statements to the ethics committee, and failed to seek legal advice on the use of tax-free contributions for partisan political activities. NPR's Brian Naylor reports that Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, who chairs the Standards of Official Conduct Committee, calls the punishment "tough" but "appropriate."

NPR's Mary Kay Magistad (MAGG-stadd) reports that the Chinese government has begun a new campaign to change the dominant cultural ideology. There is concern among government leaders that the last few years of economic reform have made the citizens forget the basic tenets of Socialism. Some analysts see this as a way President Jiang Zemin (JONG-zuh-MINN) is trying to make the Communist party more stable in light of the emerging free-market reforms that are pumping money into the country.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports from Germany on the preparations for Christmas in Berlin. There's a huge Christmas fair in the eastern part of the city. Visitors can see the Weihnachtsman (VY-nawks-mahn) who is nothing like the jolly old elf we know here...buy ornaments and carved nativity scenes the size of match boxes, or listen to a huge calliope and ride a giant ferris wheel.