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A group of scientists reported finding a six or seven million-year-old skull in Chad, Central Africa. The specimen, the oldest hominid skull ever found, will shed new light on a mysterious period in human history. The new species has been nicknamed Toumao, a name for children born before the dry season in the African desert.

Thirty years ago, the Flatlanders released their first record to almost universal indifference. Now, with the release of their second album, Now Again (New West Records), they're one of the nation's most talked about country bands, thanks to nationally syndicated radio host Don Imus. From member station KUHF in Houston, Ed Mayberry reports.

Forty years after Andy Warhol's first exhibition, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles is hosting a retrospective of the artist's work. The exhibition boasts 200 works spanning Warhol's career, including examples of his most famous series like Campbell's Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe. Eric Roy of member station KCRW reports for Morning Edition.

Running 135 miles across Death Valley and halfway up a mountain -- all in the middle of summer -- sounds a bit crazy, if not life-threatening. NPR's Andy Bowers reports for All Things Considered on the motivations of some of the 79 runners who this July competed in what's often called the toughest foot race in the world: the Badwater Ultramarathon.

In a series of reports for Morning Edition, NPR Beijing correspondent Rob Gifford profiles five people from across China who symbolize the massive changes the country is undergoing as it makes its transition away from communism. The series debuts with Henry Li, who owns one of Beijing's hippest night spots.

In what could be a crucial test of its authority, Afghanistan's new government is signaling it is prepared to use military force to control the power of one of the war-torn nation's strongest warlords, Padsha Khan Zadran. See NPR reporter Eric Westervelt's photos of the warlord and some of his troops and weapons.

Recent surveys show that many high school students don't understand the basics about money and the economy. It's estimated that fewer than a quarter of school-age children receive any financial education classes. NPR's Jack Speer reports.

Babies' babbling is the stuff of scientific study. Writing in the current issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers have discovered that babies change and improve their babbling sounds in rapid response to affectionate behaviors from their mothers. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

The SARS virus hit China hard. Everyday life in the capital has changed dramatically as the government has warned people to avoid large gatherings, closed down nightclubs and karaoke bars, and ordered quarantines. NPR's Rob Gifford reports from Beijing on the changes the disease has brought to people's everyday lives.

NPR's Chris Joyce reports on a fire burning out of control at one of the main telecommunications centers in Baghdad. U.S. troops have sealed off the area around the blaze but no firefighters have arrived. Few Iraqis are taking notice of the latest blaze in a city badly hit by arson and looting.