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Noah talks with Charlie Louvin, longtime Grand Old Opry star, known both for his solo work and his duet singing with his older brother Ira. The Louvins were from Sand Mountain, Alabama, and began as a gospel duo...although they turned to country music in the 1950's. Their harmonies have been an inspiration to many modern country and rock singers, including Emmylou Harris and The Byrds. Ira Louvin died in a car crash in 1965, and Charlie has auditioned many singers over the years, not finding a single one who could sing the high parts of harmonies as well as Ira. Charlie has always used the song "If We Forget God," arranged in the key of E, as a test. Mr. Louvin has a new recording, titled "The Longest Train."

about why economic cooperation between Israel and the Arabs has been slow to develop.

NPR's Adam Hochberg reports that some customers of Avis say the company wouldn't rent them cars because they're black. A class action suit was filed against a North Carolina franchise of Avis for racial discrimination. Some former employees have also joined the suit.

The Democratic National Committee today announced new procedures to screen campaign contributions and to help it comply with federal election law. The DNC was criticized during the election for accepting contributions from foreigners and foreign companies and for dismantling similar screening procedures in 1994 for budgetary reasons. NPR's Peter Overby reports.

between the big-3 carmakers to accelerate research into "smart" airbags. The new systems, tentatively planned to be installed starting in 1999, would use sensors to tell the airbag how fast and with how much force to deploy. Public hearings on airbag safety will be held today in Washington.

are trying to re-invent the car. They are designing and turning out prototypes that are lighter, more fuel efficient and pollute the environment less. The goal is a full-size, affordable car that will get 80 miles to the gallon... that's proving to be impossible with conventional materials and designs.

The victims of the Oklahoma bombing last year are eager to attend the trials of the two men accused of the crime. But the judge, citing federal rules of evidence, has barred them from attending because they may be witnesses in the sentencing phase of the trial. The victims and their families have filed suit to overturn the judge's ruling. NPR's Mark Roberts reports.

The BBC's Julian Isherwood reports from Denmark that six members of the Hell's Angels motorcycle gang have gone to trial, charged with the murder of a member of a rival gang. The killing is part of a feud between motorcycle gangs that has been plaguing all of Scandinavia for the last two years.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Western powers are getting closer to agreeing on the creation of a multinational force to provide security for the delivery of aid to a million refugees in eastern Zaire. Canada has apparently offered to lead such a force. The Clinton administration agrees that some sort of military intervention will be necessary, but it won't participate until numerous details about the size and mandate of the force are worked out. Some countries, notably France, have sharply criticized the US go-slow attitude, accusing Washington of dragging its feet.

FBI Director Louis Freeh says the investigation continues into who leaked the name of security guard Richard Jewell as a suspect in the Atlanta Olympics bombing. Freeh said at a Senate hearing today that no progress has been made in finding the source of the leak to the news media. NPR's Paul Miller reports that Freeh said at least 500 people in law enforcement knew that Jewell was a suspect. Jewell was investigated by federal authorities for months, and was scrutinized by the news media after the leak, but ultimately was cleared of suspicion.