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NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Moscow on the jockeying for position to succeed Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Yeltsin has only been in the Kremlin three weeks since last June and now that he's back in the hospital recovering from pneumonia, there's increased interest in the unofficial race to succeed him. Political observers say one of the leading contedners is a man who has never proclaimed himself a candidate, the mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov ((YUHR-ee LOOZH-koff)).

Key members of Congress say they are ready to negotiate on President Clinton's proposal to take over some of the responsibilities of the District of Columbia government. The city would lose its annual 660 million dollar payment, but would be relieved of jobs like collecting city income taxes and running prisons for the most serious offenders. NPR's Kathleen Schalch reports that proponents hope the federal government can do better than the city, which they see as badly mismanaged.

State officials across the country heard talk of welfare reform two years ago, and realized how poorly equipped their states were to accept new welfare responsibilities. NPR's John Nielsen reports that governors and legislators instituted new programs to trim costs and now say they are ready to handle the burdens of reform. But some analysts warn that because a strong national economy is fueling much of the improvement, a recession could ruin the states' progress.

Maria Martin reports from Guatemala that the historic peace accord promises full legal and social rights for the nation's long-repressed Mayan Indian majority. The hope this has inspired in the Mayas is especially strong in Quezaltenango, Guatemala's second-largest city. It's the first major Guatemalan city to have a Mayan mayor and a Mayan majority on its city council. The mayor's efforts to improve services are beginning to win over non-Mayans.

The FBI has arrested one of its own on charges of spying for Moscow. Earl Edwin Pitts, who has been with the FBI for 13 years, is accused of taking more than 200-thousand dollars to spy for the Soviet Union, beginning in 1987. NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports that Pitts was arrested at work at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, today. Pitts faces attempted espionage and conspiracy charges that could put him in prison for life.

In recent years, there has been a sharp decline in the number of Catholics who are choosing religious vocations. Some predictions are dire...suggesting that many religious orders may soon disappear. Among Catholic nuns, there are more women over the age of 90 than under 30.The Church is also having to face the economic and social problems involved in caring for this elderly population. Producer Mary Beth Kirchner reports on the future of nuns in America.

NPR's Edward Lifson reports from Belgrade that it appears today as if Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic is giving in to Opposition protesters. For nearly nine weeks, a coalition of demonstrators has been rallying against the Milosevic government. They have been protesting a decision in November that annulled the results of municipal elections. Today, the election commission, thought to be controlled by Milosevic, announced the Opposition had won the Belgrade city assembly and the country's second largest city, Nis (NEESH). This isn't a final decision, however, and the Opposition is still wary. Leaders say the demonstrations will continue.

NPR'S Margot Adler reports that there are more tourists in New York City than ever before. Thirty million so far this year, one million just for Christmas week. Traffic too seems more congested. While there are some obvious explanations for the surge...like crime is down and the economy is up... nobody is certain just why the city has become such a tourist sensation.

Former CIA and FBI chief William Webster, named to head an oversight board for the accounting industry, concedes he may have to step down because of questions about his ties to a key firm. The board holds its first meeting next week. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

NPR's Nina Totenberg reports that the U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments in two cases that challenge California's "Three strikes" law. Both cases involve men sentenced to long prison terms although shoplifting was their final strike -- an aspect of the law attorneys will argue to be cruel and unusual punishment, especially because property crimes are often punished more harshly than violent offenses.