Search results for

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.

NPR's Ann Cooper reports that some human rights groups are urging Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to take a tough line with the Chinese government during her visit to Beijing on MOnday. Other human rights workers say their traditional, no compromise approach to China is not paying off and perhaps it's time to use a new strategy.

NPR's Mary Kay Magistad reports that in just 10 days, China's surviving leaders will have a chance to demonstrate the stability of their government following the death of China's longtime patriarch Deng Xiaoping (dung shah-oh-ping's). Chinese leaders gather in Beijing the first week of March for the annual National People's Congress.

David Welna reports from Tijuana, Mexico on the on-going controversy in the fight against drugs in that country. Last night, military forces replaced Tijuana's civilian agents. This comes amidst disclosures that the army general in charge of Mexico's drug fighting agency worked for the country's top drug lord. Welna says Mexicans are now skeptical about the effectiveness of this military takeover.

NPR's Richard Harris reports on a new study that may shed light on the fundamental chemistry of life on earth. Scientists say that the unique structure of amino acids may have originated when a star exploded during the formation of the universe four and a half billion years ago.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports on the continuing delay in signing the accord for an Israeli pullout from Hebron. Questions are being raised in Israel about the policies that allowed a man of proven instability into the Israeli army. Yesterday, an off-duty member of the Israeli army fired his army-issued rifle at Palestinians in the city marketplace, in hopes of sidetracking the peace process.

NPR's Tom Goldman reports that Olympic officials have opened a state of the art drug testing lab to combat the illegal use of performance enhancing drugs. The goal of the high profile program is to discourage drug use, but already three atheletes have been sent home from failing thier drug tests.

While Republicans televise their agenda in San Diego, President Clinton is vacationing in Wyoming. But Clinton is taking a cue from his surroundings at Yellowstone to draw attention to the environment, making a speech today about threats to natural resources, especially a proposed mine adjacent to the national park. NPR's Howard Berkes reports on the speech and on the political leverage environmental issues provide to the President.

NPR's Linda Gradstein reports on the fate of Israel's "peace now" movement, now that security-minded Benjamin Netanyahu [net-ahn-YAH-hoo] has been elected Prime Minister. Ironically, even as the group has lost the blessing of the government, it says it is back in business as the main vehicle for pushing Arab-Israeli integration.