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Bob Dole ended his Senate career today with an emotional farewell speech before a packed Senate chamber. He reminisced about the joys and struggles of his life, including 35 years in Congress, and telling some of his favorite anecdotes about other senators. NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on Dole's last day as Majority Leader, as he now turns his attention full-time to the presidential campaign.

In the second of two reports, NPR's Michael Skoler explores the issue of foreign intervention in Burundi's mounting internal crisis. The United Nations is discussing the idea of forming some sort of force that could stabilize the situation, but no country can figure out how a peacekeeping force could stop the killing. In addition, Burundi's government and the Tutsi minority--which still controls the army--don't want any foreign troops in the country.

Robert talks with Martin Malia (MAY-lee-ah) about Russian President Boris Yeltsin's commitment to democracy. Malia is a professor emeritus of history at the University of California at Berkeley and the author of "The Soviet Tragedy: A History of Socialism in Russia 1917-1991" (NY: Free Press, 1994). Malia says Yeltsin is committed to democratic reform, but falls back on authoritarian impulses when it's convenient.

The National Academy of Sciences today released a report calling for increased efforts to develop new types of birth control methods. The report says there's been a virtual standstill in developing new contraceptives, even though they are urgently needed. For example, a birth control method that also reduces the risk for sexually transmitted diseases could help stem the spread of AIDS. NPR's Joe Neel explores the status of efforts to develop so-called microbicides. [my-KROH-bih-sides]

NPR's Neal Conan reports that Congress is considering legislation that would streamline and reorganize this country's intelligence services. This hasn't been done in three decades. Some of the proposals are controversial...especially those that would give the CIA director more authority over agencies that have been under the control of the Secretary of Defense up until now.

The Democratic Party hopes to raise $11 million at a Washington, DC shindig tonight, just a little less than Republicans hauled in at a gala of their own early this year. What do donors get for the checks? What about voters? Peter Overby reports.

Charles de Ledesma (duh-luh-DEZ-mah) looks into London's easy listening music scene. Deejays are combing thrift shops for old records from the 50s, 60s and 70s, and bands like the Mike Flowers Orchestra and the Gentle People are playing live easy listening music at nightclubs devoted to both easy listening and cheesey listening! At the Madame Jojo's, the fare is strictly easy, while at the club Cheese, cheesey listening rules.

as he travels through Kansas and Missouri. It's his first day out as Citizen Dole.

Orange County, California finally emerged from bankruptcy protection yesterday. And they didn't have to raise any new taxes. To get out of the red, the county sold $880 million worth of bonds. The county's fiscal troubles started when a former treasurer lost almost one-point-seven million dollars in a high-risk investment strategy.

Robert talks with Michael McFaul (mick-FALL) about the upcoming presidential election in Russia. McFaul is a senior associate at the Moscow Carnegie Center, and a professor of political science at Stanford University. McFaul says the vote between Yeltsin and Zyuganov presents a stark choice.