Search results for

in Japan related to the Aum religious cult. A senior police officer did not report a junior officer, who was a member of the Aum cult, after he confessed to having tried to kill the country's top-ranking policeman.

While the main focus of this week's Republican convention is the nominations of Bob Dole and Jack Kemp to head the GOP presidential ticket, several others in San Diego have at least one eye on the year 2000 and their prospects for topping the GOP ticket then. One of the best ways potential candidates can increase their stock in the party is to be a big booster for this year's candidate. NPR's Mara Liasson reports.

Robert talks with David Frei (FRY), who has provided color commentary for the USA Network's coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show since 1990. He is also one of the world's top breeders of Afghan Hounds. They discuss the technical aspects of judging dog shows, and why this year's winner of the coveted "Best In Show" award...a Standard Schnauzer named Champion Parsifal di Casa Netzer...won the prize.

Internet toy seller E-Toys was supposed to be one of the e-commerce companies with a shot at becoming a retail powerhouse. It had a top-rated Web site, a vast selection of high-end toys and excellent customer service. But as NPR's Elaine Korry reports, E-Toys is having a miserable holiday season. Sales are running way below expectations, cash is running short, and the company is unlikely to survive without a merger or a major sell-off of assets.

Bluesy Blind Pig Records has now been around 25 years -- a long life span for an independent. It grew from a basement operation in Michigan to one of music's top specialty labels. Hear from NPR's John Ydstie, Blind Pig co-founder Edward Chmelewski and singer Deborah Coleman.

Pianist and Singer Hadda Brooks, known as "Queen of the Boogie," died last week at the age of 86. Brooks rose to fame in 1945 with the song, "Swingin' the Boogie." The song also helped launch the top West Coast rhythm and blues label, Modern Records. NPR's Bob Edwards has a remembrance.

NPR's Phillip Davis reports on an exhibition in Miami that is trying to take a fresh look at Christmas music. Sound artist Christian Marclay has challenged some of the city's top DJ's to take his collection of Christmas music and remix the material into sonic and artistic collages. The exhibit is called "The Sounds of Christmas" at Miami's Museum of Contemporary Art.

Mechanical engineer Don Gilmore has the key to a persistent musical problem: how to keep a piano perpetually in tune. The top-selling line of Story-Clark grand pianos will soon be outfitted with Gilmore's self-tuning device. Hear from Gilmore and NPR's John Ydstie.

China's top arms control official is quoted in the official press as opposing President Bush's move to launch a U.S. missile-defense network in 2004. China is afraid the missile shield will be used to protect rival Taiwan. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

South Koreans are voting in presidential elections, and an unexpected issue surfaces to dominate election campaigning: South Korea's relationship with the United States. Both top contenders have tapped into growing anti-American sentiment. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.