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NPR's Linda Gradstein reports that three Israeli soldiers were killed today in the West Bank by terrorists who allegedly came from and fled back to Jordan. The attack raises the possibility that newly elected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (n'tahn-YAH-hoo) might strike back somewhere given that his recent election campaign focused on the issue of security. The attack came a day after Netanyahu met with U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher, during which Netanyahu reaffirmed his tough line on security and peace with the Palestinians and his Arab neighbors.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports that representatives of all those who helped give birth in Oslo to what is now known as the Middle East peace process gathered by the sea of Galilee today to commemorate the third anniversary of their historic meeting in Norway. Representatives from Norway were there. Representatives of the PLO were there. Even former Prime Minister Peres was there. But none showed from the current Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu, who chose to ignore it as, so far, he has ignored the peace process itself.

Marius Benson reports from Cape Town that former President F.W. de Klerk apologized to South Africa's Truth Commission today for the decades of white minority rule carried out by the apartheid regime he once led. De Klerk expressed sympathy for all those who suffered under apartheid, although he denied allegations his government ordered the murders of some anti-apartheid activists. De Klerk, the last president under apartheid, freed Nelson Mandela in 1990 and set in motion the dismantling of the system of white domination.

NPR's Ted Clark reports on the completion of new -- and Islamist -- Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan's first official trip abroad. It's an odyssey that pointedly took him east to visit with his Muslim neighbors instead of west to visit with his traditional NATO allies. So far, Washington has been reserved about the visit that saw Erbakan hop from Tehran to Islamabad to Jakarta... but privately, there are serious concerns about Turkey's sudden decision to make peace -- and do business -- with such nations as Iraq and Iran in defiance of US efforts to isolate them.

While Netanyahu and Arafat met in Washington, Palestinians and Israelis at home have been talking about their leaders in the wake of last week's outbreak of violence in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem. From Gaza, NPR's Eric Weiner reports that though Arafat's prestige had been eroded, his standing has risen among Palestinian voters. From Jerusalem, NPR's Linda Gradstein talks to one of Netanyahu's so-called "swing voters" from last May's elections, and finds that she would still vote for Netanyahu today... despite the policies that helped bring about last week's clashes.

NPR's Joe Neel reports that scientists have developed the first simple test for mad cow disease and its human equivalent, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Until now, the only way to diagnose these incurable diseases was to look at a sample of brain tissue, something doctors are reluctant to do before a patient dies. The new test uses spinal fluid and will likely prevent the needless slaughter of animals that have symptoms of the disease but are actually healthy. The test will also permit doctors to distinguish between mind-robbing symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and a more common syndrome, Alzheimer's disease.

In the second report in her series on refugees in the post-Cold War era, Ann Cooper explores what life is like for refugees who have no hope of going home anytime soon. The Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya is home to people who have fled Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and other countries. International relief groups have made life in the camp better than what most of the refugees would find back home, with everything from business management classes to book clubs. But it's also a distorted society, where relief officials wield tremendous power and refugees become heavily dependent on foreign assistance.

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports that many while politicians got caught up in the debate over "whole language" reading instruction, many teachers have begun searching for a middle way that adds classic "phonics" instruction. "Whole language" stresses using good literature to get kids interested in reading, while phonics has emphasized basic reading skills--the ability to sound out words--and for years, supporters of the two systems have argued over which is more effective. Now, states like California, which was heavily invested whole language, are returning to phonics, but many educators are saying the best way is to combine the two approaches.

Marius Benson reports from Pretoria on the reaction of the Inkatha Freedom Party to this week's passage of South Africa's new constitution, and the withdrawal from the unity government of the mainly white National Party. The Zulu-led Inkatha--which has been locked for years in a bloody war with the ruling African National Congress--is now the largest minority party in the government. National Party leader F-W De Klerk suggested today that Inkatha might want to follow his lead and quit the government. But Inkatha officials say that in spite of their dislike of the new constitution and the A-N-C, for now they will stay on.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports from Jerusalem that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself under fire from friends and foes alike for his handling of the job. More than seven months after taking office as Israel's youngest Prime Minister, Netanyahu's actions and manner have brought criticism from many different quarters...the Arab nations his predecessors courted; the Palestinians with whom he is negotiating a possible peace; the opposition Labout party he barely defeated; and even members of his own military and secutiry establishment and Cabinet coalition. Supporters say these are just growing pains; opponents say they are a sign of ineptitude.