1.   Arafat, the Palestinian leader, cut short a visit to the United Arab Emirates, returned to Gaza Tuesday night and began meetings aimed at defusing the crisis.

2.   Ministers agreed to begin negotiations aimed at ending European farm export subsidies, opening markets to insurance and environmental services, and reviewing anti-dumping rules.

3.   One organization, called Clonaid, says it has already begun experiments aimed at creating a human clone.

4.   The two Germans arrived in Moscow Saturday, along with various officials, to begin discusions aimed at tackling the nuclear materials smuggling problem.

5.   The two sides will begin talks aimed at achieving far-reaching cuts in offensive strategic weapons, the sources said.