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Music
4:00 pm
Sun February 5, 2012

New Staging Of 'Yentl' Tells A Transgender Girl's Story

Credit Daniel Perales Studio
Actress Hillary Clemens portrays Yentl/Anshel in the new staging of Isaac Bashevis Singer's play at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Fla.

Singer-songwriter Jill Sobule is probably best known for her 1995 hit single, "I Kissed a Girl." These days, she's taking on a new musical project: the gender-bending play by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Yentl.

Barbra Streisand turned Singer's play into her 1984 hit movie musical of the same name. Although Sobule's version features music, it's a little more Singer and a little less Streisand.

"She changed the ending and made it kind of Funny Girl coming to America. ... We keep to the word," Sobule tells weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz.

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Health
2:56 pm
Sun February 5, 2012

Fewer Autopsies Mean Crucial Info Goes To The Grave

Originally published on Tue May 8, 2012 2:52 pm

A half-century ago, autopsies — sometimes called the ultimate medical audit — were an integral part of American health care, performed on roughly half of all patients who died in hospitals. But today, autopsies are conducted on roughly 5 percent of such patients, and experts say that is a troubling trend.

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Author Interviews
2:10 pm
Sun February 5, 2012

How Whitey Bulger Corrupted The Justice System

Originally published on Mon February 6, 2012 12:32 pm

When Whitey Bulger was captured last year, he'd spent close to 20 years on the run — and on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

Bulger was the head of an Irish gang terrorizing the streets of South Boston. The Massachusetts State Police wanted him gone, but curiously couldn't touch him.

Why? Bulger was a confidential FBI informant, and the bureau shielded him for years.

Robert Fitzpatrick, the author of Betrayal: Whitey Bulger and the FBI Agent Who Fought to Bring Him Down, says Bulger was widely known to be an unsavory character.

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The Two-Way
11:09 am
Sun February 5, 2012

Russia's Hottest Protest Song, Courtesy Of The Military Elite

Credit YouTube
A screen grab from the YouTube video, "Putin and the Paratroopers."

An Internet hit is becoming the anthem for Russian protesters as they march against Vladimir Putin's rule.

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Middle East
9:21 am
Sun February 5, 2012

Egypt To Try 19 Americans Over NGO Funding

Egyptian official media reported Sunday that 40 people, including at least 19 Americans, have been referred to trial on charges they illegally provided foreign funding to non-governmental organizations in the country.

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Middle East
7:00 am
Sun February 5, 2012

UN Ambassador Susan Rice Fumes At Syria Veto

Credit Mary Altaffer / AP
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice spoke after the Security Council vote on Saturday, saying the United States was "disgusted" by Russia and China's veto.

Originally published on Sun February 5, 2012 2:53 pm

For nearly a year, Syria's government has sustained a violent crackdown against opposition protesters. The international community has struggled to agree on a unified response, and on Saturday, the latest effort to bring pressure on Syria's leaders fell apart.

Russia and China blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have condemned the Syrian government for attacks against civilians. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the United States was "disgusted" by the double veto.

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Presidential Race
7:00 am
Sun February 5, 2012

Curtain Rises On Colorado Caucuses

Colorado holds its Republican caucuses on Tuesday. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul have focused their attention there recently. The state will also be a key battleground in the general election contest. From Denver, Kirk Siegler of member station KUNC reports.

Sports
7:00 am
Sun February 5, 2012

On Defense, Neither Super Bowl Team Wins

In football, defense wins championships, or so the saying goes. That hasn't been true recently. In fact, both teams in Sunday's Super Bowl, the Giants and the Patriots, featured less-than-stout defenses through the season. NPR's Mike Pesca has some possible reasons why.

Presidential Race
7:00 am
Sun February 5, 2012

Support, Protest And Hiccups During The Nev. Caucus

Mitt Romney was the big winner in Saturday's Nevada caucus, leaving runner-up Newt Gingrich in the dust. Organizers said tens of thousands of people participated in the West's first presidential contest of the year, and some of them were still taking part late into the night. NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

Presidential Race
7:00 am
Sun February 5, 2012

Voting Their Own Way: Maine's Extra-Long Caucuses

In the midst of a primary season where every state is trying to outdo the rest, Maine is content to do caucuses its own way. The state's many small towns have long held individual caucuses any time between January and March, and the state Republican Party's efforts to reel them into a single week has had mixed success. Host Rachel Martin speaks with political writer Al Diamon.

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