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President Clinton is enjoying the luxury of a primary season in which he can campaign as much or as little as he chooses without fear of losing because he is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. NPR'S Mara Liasson reports that the lack of opponents gives him several advantages over his Republican rivals, who have to defeat one another for the GOP nomination. .

Noah Adams talks with the scientists who programmed the "Deep Blue" IBM computer for its ongoing chess match against world champion Gary Kasparov (kas-PAR-ov). After four games, Kasparov and Deep Blue have each won one match and tied twice. They are playing their penultimate game today.

Noah talks to NPR's Melissa Block about former Congressman Jack Kemp's endorsement today of publisher Steve Forbes' presidential campaign. Kemp has been a major promoter of the idea of a flat tax, which is central to Forbes' campaign and his policies for economic growth. But coming on the day after Sen. Bob Dole's big primary wins in eight states, it was unclear what impact the Kemp endorsement would have.

Alan Cheuse reviews the novel The Woman Who Walked On Water by Lily Tuck. It's the story of a middle-aged woman in search of spiritual enlightenment in India. Published by Riverhead.

Linda speaks with Ferrel Guillory (GHILL-oh-ree), a former Southern political reporter with the Raleigh, North Carolina News and Observer, and John Jacobs, political editor of the Sacremento Bee, about the significance of the Super Tuesday primaries in the south next week. With so many primaries being moved up, these analysts say Super Tuesday and the California primary at the end of March have lost their importance.(IN

Linda talks to political consultant James Carville about his new book, "We're Right, They're Wrong," in which he offers responses to what he considers misinformation by the political right wing, ranging from issues on welfare to taking away power from the federal government and returning it to the states.

The BBC's Robert Parsons reports on the heavy fighting that is raging for the second straight day in the Chechen capital, Grozny. In Moscow, Russian President Boris Yeltsin says a peace plan for Chechnya is being finalized, but there is no indication he's ready to negotiate with Chechen rebels.

NPR's Steve Inskeep reports that numerous interest groups are trying to influence the Republican presidential candidates in New Hampshire this week with billboards, TV ads and appearances at campaign events. These advocacy groups range from environmentalists to defense contractors. They share a desire to get the candidates to be more specific on issues, something the campaigns try to avoid whenever possible.

Noah speaks with James Cusack, who covers security affairs for the Irish Times in Dublin. Cusack says the chances for a negotiated settlement between the British government and the IRA have diminished in the wake of the ascendency of the IRA's military wing. He says this hard-line inner core is more violent than the political leadership and less likely to negotiate.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports that two of the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers have decided to merge in one of the business world's biggest transactions ever. Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz are both Swiss firms. Together they will become the world's second largest drugmaker, behind the U.S.-British firm, Glaxo Wellcom. The stock swap is valued at more than $36 billion.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports on the sentencing of three US servicemen who raped a 12-year-old Japanese girl in September. The trial has sparked a debate over whether the U.S. base should occupy Japanese soil.

Linda talks with NPR's Don Gonyea about the appearance on the witness stand by Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who is on trial near Detroit for assisting in the suicides of two people in 1993 under a now-expired statute. Kevorkian told the jury that he frequently cries at these suicides, and that he turns many people away when they seek his help in dying, urging them to find another way to deal with their suffering. (4:00)(IN STEREO) 7. ST. DAVID'S DAY -- Wales celebrates its patron saint, St. David, today. St. David, the Waterman, was called Dewi in Welsh. He is credited with winning a victory over the Saxons - who back in the fifth century - ruled what is now England. St. David told Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their helmets so they could recognize each other on the battlefield. To mark the day, we hear the Welsh group YR Huntws (YEAR- HOON-tuss) singing a traditional Welsh hymm "The Bishop and the Peasant" or Yr Esgob A'R Gwiladwr (publisher Sain Publi

NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that the eerie similarities between the disruption of the peace processes in Northern Ireland and the Middle East points to the emergence of sub-factions determined to prevent a final peace at all costs.

Linda Gradstein reports on the opening session of the Palestinian Council, the legislative body elected in Palestinian elections earlier this year. On the streets of Gaza, there is widespread support for Yasser Arafat, but people also said they understood the frustration that led to four suicide bombings in the past 12 days.

NPR's John McChesney reports that the multimedia-software industry is facing a shakeout that could eliminate dozens of companies from the scene. Not very many CD-Rom publishers are profitable, and cost pressures are expected to force further consolidation.

NPR's John Burnett reports that in the wake of yesterday's Texas primary, gay Republicans are attending GOP precinct conventions to counter the Christian Right's anti-gay influence. This represents the beginning of a concerted campaign by gay Republicans to influence the party platform.

The craft of cheerleading has changed dramatically throughout the years as cheerleaders have become increasingly athletic. And with that athleticism has naturally followed more injuries - many of which are serious if not life threatening. Susan Goodman reports.

Robert talks with 18 year old Jacob Lurie, who won a $40,000 scholarship in the Westinghouse Talent Search for his theoretical work with surreal numbers. Lurie talks about his project and the elegance of mathematics.

NPR's Debbie Elliott reports that a tobacco company, the Liggett Group Inc., has agreed to a settlmenment of a major class-action lawsuit. The settlement marks the first time a tobacco company has broken ranks with the industry to settle a major lawsuit individually. As part of the settlement, the company agreed to pay up to $50 million over 25 years for smoking-cessation efforts. The company also agreed to accept restrictions aimed at reducing smoking by young people. The company is also negotiating to settle lawsuits by states attempting to recover medical costs from smoking-related illnesses.

Mark Gillespie of Alaska Public Radio Network reports on the increasing media and corporate hoopla surrounding the annual Iditarod dogsled race. Once a solitary match of human endurance and skill against nature's worst, it's become a huge logistical operation akin to a military campaign, complete with platoons of camp followers eager to borrow from race's notoriety.