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British writer Nick Smith's Milk Treading follows an investigative-reporter type named Julius as he ferrets out facts about the suicide of his best friend. By the way, Julius is a cat. The novel is a mystery, but it has some parallels to George Orwell's Animal Farm Smith speaks with NPR's Jacki Lyden.

Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday, and Nicole Kidman is a shoo-in for a best actress nomination for her portrayal of writer Virginia Wolfe in "The Hours." Meryl Streep also is a contender, but Julianne Moore -- who was onscreen longer than Kidman -- most likely will be considered for best supporting actress. Robert Osborne, host of Turner Classic Movies and author of 70 Years of the Oscar, says category hopping isn't new.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports on Ulitsa Sezam, the Russian Courtyard that's home to Zeliboba and his friends - Vlas and Yenick, and Aunt Dashe. If this sounds familiar, it is. The Russian version of Sesame Street premiered today, brought to you by the letter Bukva. There was concern before the show made it to Russian airwaves that it might be just another unwanted import of American culture, although it's too soon to tell what public reaction is to the show.

The day President Kennedy was assassinated, Bob Schieffer — the future veteran CBS newsman — was still just a young newspaper reporter in Texas. But he got closer to that day's events than he ever would have imagined. In an interview with NPR's Bob Edwards, Schieffer recounts that and other stories in his new book, This Just In. Hear an extended version of the interview.

Stand-up comics can say pretty much anything these days -- no matter how obscene or offensive their material -- thanks in no small part to Lenny Bruce. In the late 1950s and early '60s, the iconoclastic comedian often found himself in trouble with the law for saying whatever was on his mind. NPR's Juan Williams reports on a new book detailing Bruce's legal battles.

Mexico's biggest box-office hit ever is The Crime of Father Amaro. The story of a corrupt priest might have been censored a few years back. But Mexico's film world is changing. NPR's Mandalit Del Barco reports.

In the 1960's he made waves as the lead guitarist in the British rock group The Who. He was world famous for smashing guitars during concerts. Tommy, the rock opera he wrote for The Who in 1969, became a Broadway musical. This interview first aired November 23, 1993.

Actor James Coburn, 74, died Monday from a heart attack. Known for his weathered, almost villainous look, Coburn earned a reputation playing sly and dangerous characters in movies such as the The Magnificent Seven and Charade. Coburn made more than 100 films, including Affliction, for which he won an Oscar as best-supporting actor. NPR's Alex Chadwick has a remembrance.

Elizabeth Catlett, an American-born sculptor, moved to Mexico in 1946, believing racism would prevent her from being appreciated in the U.S. art world. At 87, she's finally getting her due -- and working to make sure younger black artists have opportunities that were denied her. NPR's Gerry Hadden profiles the artist. Please note: This story was corrected on air on Jan. 25 , 2003: "We want to correct one item from last week's profile of American sculptor Elizabeth Catlett, who's made her life in Mexico. We correctly reported that she's returning to the U.S. to receive an award, but we misidentified the award. The International Scupture Society is giving Catlett a Lifetime Achievement Award."

Koreans on both sides of the demilitarized zone criticize and boycott the new James Bond film Die Another Day. North Koreans say they are unfairly portrayed as an evil regime, while South Koreans say they are portrayed as backward peasants. NPR's Eric Weiner reports.