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NPR's Jacki Lyden reports that a leading Iranian dissident is returning to the country after nearly a year of self-imposed exile. Abdol Karim Soroush, a leading Islamic philosopher, has angered the authorities by arguing against Iran's theocratic style of government. He disagrees with the government's rigid interpretation of Islam, and insists there is no reason why Islam cannot be compatible with Western concepts of democracy and human rights.

NPR's Margot Adler reports that the European manufacturer of the abortion pill RU-486 decided to stop prouduction today and gave the European production rights to a new company. Roussel Uclaf, which is owned by Hoechst AG, abandoned the effort to sell RU-486 in the United States several years ago, due to anti-abortion groups threats of a boycott of the company. The company gave rights to manufacture the pill in the United States to the Population Council in New York.

At least two Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured today in the West Bank town of Hebron. The first Palestinian was killed by an Israeli settler, and the second by Israeli soldiers in violence sparked by the first incident. This violence comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel following yesterday's discussions in Washington with President Clinton... discussions that failed to yield any substantive progress on restarting the peace process. Laurie Neff reports.

PR's Michael Skoler reports from the Zairean capital Kinshasa that the extent of foreign involvement in Zaire's civil war is becoming more clear. Zaire has claimed all along that the rebellion in the eastern part of the country was backed by Uganda and Rwanda. Analysts Angola has also helped the rebels. All of this has led many to question why the US and other powers have not put more pressure on these nations to stop intervening.

While the House is trying to emerge from the bitter fight over Speaker Newt Gingrich's ethics violations, Republicans and Democrats in the Senate are actually beginning the year with a bipartisan spirit. Besides the Senate's swift approval of President Clinton choices for Secretaries of State and Defence, Senators on both sides of the aisle are working on legislation dealing with the capital gains tax, crime, and education. But NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports that there are still plenty of partisan battles ahead, particularly over the balanced budget amendment and late-term abortions.

NPR's Peter Overby reports that President Clinton's legal defense fund has been having problems raising money, and documents released this week in the campaign finance investigation show the White House considered trying to come up with a new fund with looser restrictions. Such defense funds are often places where political supporters can make donations without being subject to many of the limits and disclosure rules governing campaign contributions.

The Senate Armed Services committee questioned Army officials today about allegations that senior members of the service have sexually harassed women under their command. Before the hearing, the New York Times published charges by a retired sergeant major that her then-boss, the top enlisted man in the Army, had harassed her and other officials took no action on her complaints. NPR's Barbara Bradley has a report.

The Senate is debating today on how far to go with its investigation of campaign finances. The Republican proposal, which is expected to pass, limits the probe to allegations of illegal practices. That excludes legal, but possibly unethical, raising of so-called "soft money," which makes up the bulk of both party's fundraising. Democrats claim the the GOP boundaries focus the investigation primarily on them and particularly on the president. NPR'S Elizabeth Arnold reports.

Some Israelis think the way out of the current crisis with the Palestinians is to form a National Unity government. By sharing power with the opposition Labor Party, Prime Minister Netanyahu would have an easier time moving forward with the peace process. Israel's two major political parties have worked together before, but critics say this time they are too far apart ideologically for a National Unity government to succeed. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.

From Jerusalem, Laurie Neff reports on the national outrage that has erupted in Israel, following an incident in which a Jordanian soldier opened fire on a tour-group of Israeli school girls visiting the Jordan-Israeli border. Seven of the girls were killed, and eight others wounded. Many Israeli politicians are blaming King Hussein for creating the climate that allowed such an attack by publishing the text of a strong letter of criticism he wrote to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.