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NPR's Ina Jaffe reports on testimony today by OJ Simpson in his civil trial. The families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson are suing OJ Simpson for the "wrongful death" of their children. Simpson today was questioned by his attorney as part of his presentation of his defense.

NPR's Edward Lifson in Belgrade reports that the Serbian Orthodox church has come out in support of the protest against President Slobodan Milosevic. The statement also accused Milosevic of turning Serb against Serb in an effort to stay in power. It's an important position, because it could serve as a unifying force to strengthen the Opposition coalition.

NPR's Joe Palca reports on a medical mystery that has baffled doctors for decades -- Does a monkey virus that contaminated a polio vaccine in the mid-1950s increase the risk of certain rare cancers? Federal officials held a two-day conference this week to examine new data showing that the virus is present in rare tumors of the brain, bone, and lung.

Tim Halbur of member station KQED in San Francisco reports on the aftermath of flooding in Guernville (GURN-ville), California. The Russian River has started to recede, and residents are beginning to return to the dismal task of cleaning up and assessing the damage. Yesterday, President Clinton declared 37 counties in California and 13 in Idaho disaster areas.

In the recent elections, California and Arizona both passed initiatives that would legalize marijuana for medical uses. Today, however, the Clinton administration warned that doctors in those states who prescribe marijuana or other drugs banned under federal law, risk losing their federal registration to write prescriptions. And, the administration cautioned, those doctors could also risk prosecution. Steve Inskeep reports.

Jon Miller reports from Lima that one of the main motives for leftist rebels to take over the Japanese ambassador's residence was their concern about the poor conditions for the hundreds of their comrades in prison. Human rights groups say conditions are awful in Peruvian jails: there is chronic overcrowding, filthy cells, terrible food, and occasional torture.

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports volunteers have returned to Japan's western coast to resume efforts to clean up one of the country's worst oil spills. Bad weather kept people out of the area for most of the last week. The volunteers are critical of the Japanese governmment's handling of the crisis, and residents of coastal communities are worried about their ability to make a living in the future.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports that rebels who are trying to force Zairean President Mobutu Sese Seko (moh-BOO-too SAY-say SAY-koh) out of power have succeeded to some extent, holding some four hundred miles of Zairean territory. However, Mobutu is said to be organizing his forces for a counter-attack, and the insurgents' plans for establishing their own government may be running into trouble.

NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports on a new study that shows that the part of the brain responsible for language skills is larger in women than in men. That may explain why baby girls begin to talk earlier than baby boys, and it could account for other language differences between women and men.

Jon Miller reports from Lima that leftist rebels refused to attend today's scheduled round of talks with the government on the hostage standoff at the Japanese ambassador's residence. The rebels accuse the government of secretly digging a tunnel under the building in preparation for a military attack. Peru's defense minister has denied the charge, but local media quote security sources as saying police are digging a tunnel.