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NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that international officials say they're ready to reimpose sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro if the Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic (RAH-doh-vahn KARE-uh-dich) does not immediately step down from power. As Bosnian Serb delegates met at their headquarters in Pale (PAH-lay) to discuss Karadzic's future, foreign ministers from the G-7 countries and Russia met today in Lyon, France with Carl Bildt, the high representative of the international community in Sarajevo. Bildt's spokesman says Belgrade could face new sanctions as soon as Monday if Karadzic remains in power. At the Hague today, judges heard evidence that Karadzic masterminded Serb ethnic cleansing operations in Bosnia.

Linda talks with Miami Herald reporter Donna Leinwand (LINE wand) about the events leading to the arrest of Kathleen Bush. Bush's 8 year old daughter, Jennifer, captured national attention as a literal poster child for families without medical insurance. She had been hospitalized 200 times and had had 40 surgeries. Her mother, claiming poverty due to medical bills, had received donations for her care. Authorities now believe Bush has made her daugher sick deliberately. They believe the mother suffers from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological condition causing a parent strives to get attention by making his or her child sick.

NPR's Tovia smith reports that as debate continues over whether to ban assault weapons or certain other kinds of guns, some gun control advocates are trying to promote what they hope will be a less divisive approach. Rather than ban guns, they say, technology can help make guns safer. And they're promoting what they call 'smart guns'...that is, guns that can only be fired by their owners. Advocates say the 'smart guns' would help save countless lives, much the same way seatbelts and airbags help protect motorists. But critics say the smart gun technology is not yet advanced enough to ensure that the weapons will fire when they're needed.

Linda talks to BBC reporter Charles Scanlon about the proposal announced today by President Clinton and South Korean president Kim Young-Sam for peace talks to end the standoff between North and South Korea. The talks would include the Koreas, the U-S, and China. The immediate reaction from North Korea was negative. Scanlon says that in the past, China has not been particularly enthusiastic about participating in such talks, but in the last few years has come to have and economic relationship with South Korea and may now have an interest in seeing peace on the Korean peninsula. (4:30) 10. WHY TRUCE AND NOT PEACE? - NPR's Ted Clark looks at the history of the armistice in Korea, and why 43 years ago North and South Korea would not agree to peace. In 1953, the South Koreans objected to peace, but today it is the North that is balking.

NPR's Ann Cooper reports from New York that the United Nations Headquarters building was evacuated today after three suspicious packages...two of which turned out to be bombs...were found there today. At least one of the devices was disguised in a letter addressed to the U.N. bureau of an Arabic language newspaper, Al-Hayat. Earlier in the day, two people were hurt when a bomb exploded in the mail room of the newspaper's London office. And, earlier this month, Al-Hayat's office in Washington received five letter bombs. They were among a total of eight letter bombs the F-B-I is investigating. None of the letter bombs in the U.S. exploded.

Joshua Levs of member station WABE in Atlanta reports on some of the African Americans who celebrated Kwanzaa this year. Today marks the end of the seven-day holiday, which is based on African harvest festivals. People of all ages came to Kwanzaa ceremonies in Atlanta this year seeking personal, political and even professional renewal. Started 30 years ago by a black American university professor in California, Kwanzaa has become increasingly popular. Each day of Kwanzaa commemorates one of seven principles. Translating from Swahili, they are: 1) Umojoa, which means unity; 2)Ujima, which means collective work and responsibility; 3) Kujichagulia, or self determination; 4) Ujamaa, cooperative economics; 5) Nia, purpose; 6) Kuumba, Creativity; and 7) Imani, faith. Together, these principles are known as the "Nguzo Saba."

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the Supreme Court today struck down as unconstitutional an order by a federal judge that established a movable buffer zone around clients and employees of two New York state abortion clinics. This zone was established to protect them from protestors. The justices said the so-called "floating buffer zones" violated the protestors' freedom of speech, but they also reiterated their support of stationary buffer zones around abortion clinics. Nina also talks with Robert about arguments the Court heard today in a case dealing with the constitutionality of the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Act says the government cannot limit a person's religious freedom without a compelling government interest.

education. Today, he reports that stories about the skyrocketing cost of college may be misleading. The press often focusses attention on the elite, most expensive schools. But while college costs are increasing in real terms, the rate of increase in those costs has slowed, and most families spend less than 10-thousand dollars a year, per student.

NPR's Melissa Block reports on today's reopening of the observation deck at the Empire State Building. Two days ago, a gunman there killed a tourist, wounded six others, and then fatally shot himself. Officials have now installed metal detectors for those visiting the deck, and are searching bags. The attack brought much criticism from New York City's Mayor Rudolph Giuliani about how the shooter, 69 year old Palestinian Ali Hassan Abu Kamal, was able to legally buy the gun in Florida, despite only having been in the country for a month. Abu Kamal's family say he was distraught after losing his life's savings. However, notes found on his body may point to another direction.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that the brokerage and credit-card company Dean Witter agreed to a $9.9 billion merger with investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. Their merger would create the world's biggest securities firm. The announcement today brings Wall Street directly into the merger frenzy that has swept corporate America. Once again, the driving force is the strategic advantage of combining with a company that has complementary strengths. Dean Witter, Discover & Co. is strong in the "retail" brokerage business, selling stocks, bonds and such to the public. Morgan Stanley Group Inc. is a powerhouse in mergers and in underwriting securities. The stock-swap merger will create a new company called Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. with annual revenue of $12 billion.