Search results for

Julie McCarthy reports from NPR News in London that protests against high fuel prices have spread to Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Protests crippled much of France last week. British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed he will not follow the example of the French government, which yielded to protesters and cut energy taxes. Protesters have blocked refineries and fuel distribution points, cutting supplies to gas stations in England and Wales.

Mike Renzi, who accompanied Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Lady Gaga and others, died last week. NPR's Scott Simon talks to broadcaster Murray Horwitz, who knew Renzi for more than 40 years.

2: Actor SIR Ian McKellan. Since coming out in 1988, Britain's highly acclaimed Shakespearean actor has become an international voice for the gay and lesbian community. His role in Peter Shafer's "Amadeus" earned him a Tony Award in 1981. He has appeared in the popular films, "Last Action Hero" and "Six Degrees of Seperation." He's now starring in the film version of "Richard III." (REBROADCAST from 6

Parker stars in two films in theaters now: Pipe Dream and Red Dragon. She's part of the The West Wing cast on TV. She starred in the Broadway hit Proof, for which she received the 2001 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress. Her other Broadway turns include Prelude to a Kiss, How I Learned to Drive and the revival of Bus Stop. Her film credits include Fried Green Tomatoes, Grand Canyon and The Client.

NPR's Guy Raz reports from London that British Prime Minister Tony Blair's close alignment with the White House on Iraq is increasingly making Blair the odd man out in Europe. Analysts say Blair risks damaging Britain's relations with Europe. What's more, the British public is strongly opposed to war in Iraq and the tabloids have taken to calling Blair "Bush's poodle."

We remember dancer Gwen Verdon. She died today at the age of 75. She became an overnight Broadway sensation in 1953 as a dancer in Can Can, for which she won her first Tony Award. Later she created her most memorable roles in Bob Fosses Damn Yankees as the seductress Lola, Sweet Charity as the taxi dancer Charity, and Chicago as the chorus girl Roxie. Verdon was also Fosses third wife. (ORIGINAL BROADCAST from 5

Shes up for an academy award for her portrayal of the mother of a drug addict who is also an addict herself in the film –Requiem for a Dream.— This is her 5th nomination and could be her second win. She won the Academy Award for the 1974 film –Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore.— Burstyns other films include –The Last Picture Show,— –The Exorcist,— and –Same Time, Next Year— (she starred in the Broadway version too and won a Tony).

A sound montage of some of the voices in this past week's news, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Ian Johnson of the National Farmers Union; Senator Hillary Clinton (Democrat, New York) and Chuck Hagel (Republican, Nebraska); PBS's Jim Lehrer, ABC's Peter Jennings, CBS's Dan Rather, and NPR's Noah Adams; President George W. Bush and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (Democrat, South Dakota).

In the new film The Night Listener, Robin Williams stars as a late-night radio host who befriends a 14-year-old listener. The film, which co-stars Toni Collette and Rory Culkin, is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Armistead Maupin.

Prime Minister Tony Blair wins a plea to Britain's Parliament to support a British attack on Iraq without U.N. authorization. Blair didn't need Parliament's consent to send troops into battle, but it's the biggest political gamble of his career. Opposition is strong in his own party and across Britain. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports.