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NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports the Greek National Theater will perform Oedipus Rex tonight at the Coliseum in Rome. It's the first public performance at the Coliseum in 1,500 years.

NPR's John Ydstie reports Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan gave an upbeat assessment of the U.S. economy today. Greenspan told members of the Senate Banking Committee the economy shows signs of slowing to a more sustainable pace and that reduces the risk of accelerating inflation. Stock and bond markets both rallied on the suggestion that Fed might leave interest rates alone when it meets next in August.

At the World Exposition in Hannover, Germany, organizers are disappointed at the number of visitors. NPR's Guy Raz reports that the failure to draw large crowds could be in part due to globalization and modern technology that makes travel to World's Fairs seem less remarkable. The poor turnout may also be due to bad press and high prices.

Linda talks with Mike Shatzkin, CEO and founder of the Idea Logical Company. Shatzkin acts as a consultant to publishing companies. He talks about the message author Stephen King is sending to publishers by bypassing them, and making his book available online.

Commentator Martha Ann Overland lives in India, and takes her kids to the US Embassy Club swimming pool. She learns that the class and racial divisions that have become taboo on most American soil, are still openly practiced by Americans abroad.

Banning Eyre reviews the CD Gem Tones, Saxophone Supreme South Indian Style, by Kadri Gopalnath. Gopalnath heard a British marching band when he was an teenager, growing up in India. He loved the sound of the saxophone so much that he began to play it. Although the sax was not part of the South Indian classical music tradition, he tried to make the instrument fit in. Now, with a few minor changes in the set up of the sax he plays, he has been able to gain wide acceptance in the tradition for his innovation. (3:45) The CD is Gem Tones: Saxophone Supreme, South Indian Style by Kadri Gopalnath. It's on Globestyle Records, #CDORBD 097. Contact: info@amc.org.uk

During 36 years as a pipeline inspector, Stanley Rychlicki walked an estimated 136,887 miles. He received a certificate this week from Guiness and may be entered into the next Guiness Book of Records as a World Record Holder.

Robert talks to Karin Helmstaedt, a reporter in Germany for the Toronto Globe and Mail about another Olympic scandal. This week, a German court sentenced two men involved in feeding steroids to East German athletes to help them in Olympic competition.

Amazon.com just turned five years old and the company may have reached a pivotal moment. As NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports, the Internet pioneer has experienced phenomenal growth, gaining some 20-million customers. But it has piled up lots of debt, is struggling to control its massive inventory, and still hasn't earned a dime. Some analysts say Amazon could run out of cash as early as next year. Amazon boosters disagree and insist the company is on the path to profitability.

Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who in 2018 became the first openly gay man ever elected governor in the U.S., wed his longtime partner on Wednesday.