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Recent art auctions in New York and London have resulted in weak bids and withdrawn pieces. A commodity once thought to be recession-proof is showing signs of vulnerability. But some insiders say that may not be altogether bad.

The National Theatre on the South Bank in London is broadcasting its first live play out to the world from Iceland to South Africa. Academy Award-winner Helen Mirren stars in the 17th century play Phedre, written in Alexandrine verse. At an ordinary movie theatre in the London suburb of Brixton, locals give their thoughts on the play.

One analysis finds 70% of the U.S. music market comes from songs at least two years old — with much of it decades old.

Nearly 40 years ago, funny, smart, neurotic Alexander Portnoy burst onto the public stage. Philip Roth's fictional hero was racked by guilt — promoted by an over-protective, self-sacrificing mother and by an obsession with, er, loving himself too much.

American orchestras are starting to see digital download sites such as iTunes as a new way to get their music out. New York Philharmonic and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra have begun marketing their music to digital downloaders, hoping that classical music will sell online.

IBM has unveiled a computer that will match its wits against human contestants on the TV quiz show Jeopardy. David Ferrucci, an artificial intelligence researcher for IBM and project director of "Watson," the system that will compete on the popular game show, says "Watson" is "pretty close" to being competitive with Jeopardy's grand champions.

The Daily Beast editor-in-chief joins NPR's Steve Inskeep for another chat about the best reading she's been doing lately — books and articles about an iconic Depression-era photo, campaign promises and a country that has a way of flying too close to the sun.

Eric Orner's book isn't just a great story, it's an enveloping visual experience crafted by a terrific artist; even if one paged through it without looking at the words, it would be a good read.

NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, about how highly educated Syrians are leaving their country.

It's been 60 years since the Japanese musician moved to the U.S., changed the sound of the big band, and counted Oscar Peterson and Charles Mingus among her fans. It wasn't an easy road.