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Robert Smith Robert Smith is a correspondent for NPR's Planet Money where he reports on how the global economy is affecting our lives.
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Robert Smith

'Romeo And Juliet': Just As You Misremembered It

Robert M. Johanson and Anne Gridley in Romeo and Juliet. Paula Court hide caption

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Paula Court

Theater

'Romeo And Juliet': Just As You Misremembered It

In a new off-Broadway production, Shakespeare's classic is retold through the fuzzy recollections of people who slept through English class. The play is more about how we remember — or thought we remembered — the greatest love story of all time, and less about who said what on that balcony or whatever.

'Romeo And Juliet': Just As You Misremembered It

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National

Pennsylvania Cops Accused Of Hate Crime Cover-Up

The federal government has charged three top police officers in Shenandoah, Pa., of covering up evidence in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant. Federal prosecutors say the police officers knew the accused — and altered evidence in the case.

Pennsylvania Cops Accused Of Hate Crime Cover-Up

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Rebuilding An Instrument By Leonardo's Design

Edoardo Zanon built and plays the first modern harpsichord-viola, based on the designs of Leonardo da Vinci. Jim Zarroli/NPR hide caption

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Jim Zarroli/NPR

Music News

Rebuilding An Instrument By Leonardo's Design

With all the high-tech attractions in Times Square, holiday tourists are flocking to an instrument that was designed 500 years ago. Curators used the sketches of Leonardo da Vinci to figure out how to build it. Among the toughest things to re-create: a viola-harpsichord hybrid that can be played while walking.

Rebuilding An Instrument By Leonardo's Design

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Media

Amid Comcast Deal, NBC's Zucker In Spotlight

As Comcast prepares to take over majority ownership of NBC Universal, it has signaled the intention to make Jeff Zucker, the president and CEO of NBC Universal, head of the new venture. Zucker has spent his entire career at NBC, and has been successful in building the audience of several NBC cable holdings such as MSNBC and Bravo.

Amid Comcast Deal, NBC's Zucker In Spotlight

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National

Can New Yorkers Be Impartial In Terrorism Case?

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other suspects in the Sept. 11 attacks are to be transferred from Guantanamo Bay to New York for prosecution. The city may be prepared to tackle the security and logistics of the trial, but emotions will present a challenge.

Can New Yorkers Be Impartial In Terrorism Case?

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40 Years Of Lessons On 'Sesame Street'

Familiar faces abound on the new season of Sesame Street, but many new characters have taken up residence since the show started 40 years ago. Richard Termine/Sesame Workshop hide caption

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Richard Termine/Sesame Workshop

Television

40 Years Of Lessons On 'Sesame Street'

As the classic children's television program celebrates its 40th anniversary, the producers of Sesame Street talk about how the show has changed.

40 Years Of Lessons On 'Sesame Street'

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Politics

Bloomberg Blames Narrow Win On National Backlash

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called his narrow third-term election victory part of a national backlash against incumbents. Pointing to other results across the country, Bloomberg said voters were angry about the economy.

Bloomberg Blames Narrow Win On National Backlash

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Games & Humor

Comedy And The Economic Crash Of 1929

People need comedy during tough economic times, but during the great stock market crash of 1929 there was a problem. Large numbers of entertainers lost their shirts, too, and there didn't seem like much to laugh at. This week is the 80th anniversary of the big market crash.

Comedy And The Economic Crash Of 1929

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Not Spam: Monty Python Reunites For Night

The surviving members of the legendary Monty Python comedy group gathered Thursday night in New York to attend the opening of the documentary, Monty Python Almost The Truth (The Lawyers' Cut).

Not Spam: Monty Python Reunites For Night

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Health

Distribution Of Swine Flu Vaccine Faces Challenges

The first shipments of the swine flu vaccine have now been sent out to every state in the union. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that demand is still outstripping supply.

Distribution Of Swine Flu Vaccine Faces Challenges

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Law

Letterman Extortion Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

A CBS news producer indicted in connection with comedian David Letterman's revelation that he was the target of an extortion attempt has pleaded not guilty. On his show Thursday, Letterman revealed the attempted extortion was over affairs he had with women staffers.

Letterman Extortion Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

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Movie Interviews

Oliver Stone Profiles Power 'South Of The Border'

In a new documentary, Stone goes behind the scenes with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez but doesn't ask the hard questions. NPR's Robert Smith says "never has a revolutionary strongman seemed so lovable and cuddly."

Oliver Stone Profiles Power 'South Of The Border'

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The Madoff Investment Scandal

In Recordings, Madoff Offers Tips To Evade SEC

A new recording has surfaced from convicted swindler Bernard Madoff. The 2005 tape begins with, "Obviously, first of all, this conversation never took place." Authorities say Madoff was coaching a potential witness who was going to be talking to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In Recordings, Madoff Offers Tips To Evade SEC

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Theater

In The Bronx, A Theater Performance On A Bus

All the world's a stage, and the folks at the Foundry Theatre want to drive people around it. Their newest theater piece takes place on a charter bus winding its way through the South Bronx. The performance is part tour, part narrative, but the star is the Bronx itself.

In The Bronx, A Theater Performance On A Bus

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National

Dutch Invade New York With Tulips, Windmills

The Dutch arrived in New York harbor 400 years ago, and eventually established New Amsterdam. To celebrate the anniversary, the Dutch government has snuck back in and planted a windmill and village on the site of their former colony.

Dutch Invade New York With Tulips, Windmills

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