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Investigators say they are racing to keep up with an explosion of child pornography made possible by computer networks. They say the Internet makes creating and circulating sexually-explicit material easier than ever. Congress has tried to help law enforcement in its crackdown by passing a new law that expands the definition of child pornography. But NPR's Barbara Bradley reports that civil libertarians say the law infringes on the constitutional protection of free speech.

They were designed to let drivers avoid accidents...but a new study shows that fatality rates are actually higher for autos equipped with anti-lock brakes. For instance, the study, conducted by a insurance industry group, found that passengers were more likely to die in single-car crashes in cars with anti-lock brakes. As NPR's Don Gonyea reports, the experts say they're not yet sure what accounts for the loss in safety benefits.

Tom Gjelten reports that the Clinton administration is stepping up its military aid to Colombia for its fight against drug cartels. Most of the cocaine sold in the U.S. comes from Colombia. But the effort to assist the Colombians is coming under fire; critics say the United States should not be sending aid to Colombia's military because of its notorious human rights record.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on new tensions in Israel, following the drive-by shooting of a Jewish settler family outside of Ramallah, which left a mother and child dead. A radical Palestinian group based in Damascus claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank "heroes" at the family funerals today, a statement that seemed certain to further aggravate growing Palestinian anger over settlement growth in the West Bank.

The federal government's reports on the state of housing in the US have been sharply divided between the record number of Americans who own homes... and the fast-increasing number who live in so-called "worst case housing." Those are the people who are stuck in squalid conditions, or whose housing costs such a large part of their income that one more rent increase will leave them on the streets. NPR's John Nielsen explores the crisis facing the working poor and government policy makers.

From Belgrade, NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports on the continuing protests against the regime of President Slobodan Milosevic by opposition party supporters and students. They're protesting the annulment of municipal elections held on November 17th, which Milosevic's opponents appeared to win. Thousands marched in front of the Serbian Parliament..the largest crowd yet in the 17 days of demonstrations. Earlier in the day, student protestors warned of possible fighting in the streets, and ninety judges joined in the opposition to Milosevic by demanding a re-examination of the election annulment rulings.

Within the next week, the EPA is expected to propose new, more stringent health standards for two of the most common and pervasive air pollutants -- ozone and small particles. Stricter standards could force tighter pollution controls on everything from cars to power plants to woodburning stoves. NPR's David Baron reports that there is a growing debate on what constitutes a "safe" level of these pollutants -- and that industry and environmental groups are already launching intensive lobbying campaigns.

NPR's Margot Adler reports that an industry is springing from the premise that teenagers are dangerous. There are gadgets that beep if your teen drives over the speed limit; machines to prevent your car from starting if the driver has alcohol on his breath; hair analysis kits that will let you perform drug tests on your kids. All of these products of parents' fears are invasive, and a few may be unconstitutional, but they're proliferating.

Two members of the Dallas Cowboys football team are being investigated on charges of sexual assault. A twenty-three year old woman has accused offensive lineman Erik Williams and wide reciever Michael Irvin of assaulting her. The investigation is the latest in a series of legal troubles for members of the Dallas Cowboys. Glenn Mitchell of member station KERA in Dallas reports on the charges, and what they might mean for the Cowboys, who are preparing for Sunday's second-round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

You can lose your wallet, you can forget your PINs and passwords, but you can't lose your fingerprints or the sound of your voice. NPR's Dan Charles reports that new technologies are taking advantage of these built-in identifiers to develop fool-proof methods for making sure you are who you say you are. Some critics worry they also make it too easy to invade one's privacy.