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the Clinton Administration out of expanding a law requiring them to detail all the chemicals that go into plants and factories. Environmentalists are pushing for the expansion, to hold the chemical industry accountable for accidents and toxic pollution.

President Clinton's choice for defense secretary, retiring Senator William Cohen, is expected to win easy confirmation by the Senate. The Senate usually embraces nominations of former members. Plus, Cohen is a Republican, seeking the approval of the GOP-led body. Democrats are expected to support the appointment, in part because Cohen has been independent during his three terms, opposing Republican leaders on issues including the Iran-Contra affair. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold has a profile.

NPR's diplomatic correspondents... Ted Clark, Tom Gjelten and Mike Shuster... talk with Noah about the various world-wide challenges and unfinished business that President Clinton's new National Security staff will face in such arenas as Bosnia, the Middle East, NATO, Russia and China in the coming four years.

Daniel Schorr proposes a somewhat unorthodox way that President Clinton might raise money for his legal defense fund.

Senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that there is much to be learned from previous hostage-taking situations.

NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports that the Supreme Court has agreed to decide on the constitutionality of the Communications Decency Act. Passed by Congress early this year as part of the massive Telecommunications law, the Act restricts the transmission of so-called indecent material on the Internet. A federal judge declared the Act violated free speech guarantees and blocked its enforcement. The Supreme Court will hear the government's appeal of that decision. A ruling is expected next summer.

NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports that China is proceeding full speed ahead with construction of a gigantic dam at the site in the central part of the country. Chinese officials said the Three Gorges dam will help alleviate periodic flooding that rountinely kills thousands of people in China, but many environmentalists dispute that. They say the dam will disrupt the lives of thousands of people and do severe damage to the environment.

and healthier than it's been in years, the EPA plans to enact stricter standards. The agency wants to impose new restrictions on ozone and particulate emissions.

Commissioners in Miami are trying to sort out the city's troubled finances. With a sixty-eight million dollar deficit, the city is in a state of financial emergency. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports that Miami officials are now scrambling to collect fees to make up some of the shortfall.

Critic Bob Mondello reviews the new film "Citizen Ruth." The film is a comedy about a serious subject...abortion. Mondello says that it's remarkably even-handed and doesn't require the viewer to choose which side of the abortion debate to agree with. It's the first film from director Alexander Payne, and stars Laura Dern.