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Congressional lawmakers return to Capitol Hill faced with a long list of issues as Election Day draws near. NPR's Pam Fessler reports.

Jon Miller reports from Lima that the government of Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has engaged in talks with the political opposition on democratic reforms. The two sides are considering ways to restructure institutions throughout the government, from the military and intelligence services to the judiciary. Fujimori agreed to the talks under intense international criticism of the country's last election, which returned him to office for a third term. His immediate obstacle is convincing opponents that with his record, he can become a champion of democracy.

Impressions of Peru by 9-year-old (in October) Miriam Newman-Marshall. She was born in Callao, Peru, but adopted and arrived to the United States when she was just four months old. Miriam went back to Peru recently and sent us an audio report on how she spent her summer vacation.

Our classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz turns off the turntable and reads us a poem from his new book, Cairo Traffic.

NPR's Brian Naylor takes a look at one of the most important Pennsylvania House races. Patrick Casey's running against an aggressive one-term Republican Representative, Don Sherwood. It's one of the races to watch in the battle for control of the US House.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on the affirmative action case that the California Supreme Court hears today, testing whether Proposition 209 allows cities and counties to keep minority outreach hiring programs. Even though Prop 209 bans affirmative action programs, many California municipalities have refused to change their minority hiring and contracting practices, unless the courts force them to do so. This case will determine whether they're complying with Prop 209.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews A Good House, Bonnie Burnard's first novel. It won the 1999 Giller prize, Canada's most prestigious literary award. It's just been published in this country.

Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman of the band, Le Tigre. Hanna was the lead singer of the 90s band Bikini Kill. Bikini Kill was part of the music/cultural/feminist movement know as Riot Grrl, which focused on the concept of 'girl power' and young women's empowerment. The movement was based primarily in Washington, DC and Olympia, WA, and its members formed bands, wrote fanzines, and held meetings, protests and festivals. Hanna was a leader and spokesperson for the movement. Her first solo project after Bikini Kill was called Julie Ruin. She then formed Le Tigre. Bandmate Fateman is an artist and zine writer. Le Tigre's new eponymous CD, released by the Mr Lady Label, combines pop, punk and feminism.

President Clinton is among 150 heads of state gathered in New York City for the UN Millennium Summit. It's the largest gathering of world leaders in history. NPR's Ann Garrels reports.

NPR's Margo Adler reports concerns about traffic and security are tremendous, as the UN Millennium Summit gets under way in New York City.