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The State Department has collected essays of 15 top authors on what it means to be an American writer. The anthology, aimed at promoting American values abroad, will be distributed free at U.S. embassies worldwide. An anti-propaganda law makes it illegal to disseminate the works in the United States, but they are available on a government Web site aimed at foreign audiences. NPR's Susan Stamberg interviews novelists Bharati Mukherjee and Charles Johnson about their participation in the project.

Malcolm X's diaries, photos, letters and other items -- saved from the auction block last year -- have found a new home at the New York Public Library. The papers of the late civil rights and religious leader "help reconnect the icon with the human being," says Howard Dodson, director of the library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Hear an extended version of his interview with NPR's Bob Edwards and see photos of some of the items.

In New York City, Broadway's 18 musicals shut down as a strike between producers and musicians continues. The dispute -- centered on what the minimum size of musical orchestras should be -- is blamed for about $5 million in lost ticket revenue over the weekend. Jeff Lunden reports.

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg first made a name for himself with horror movies. His remake of The Fly is considered a classic of the genre. But his more recent films take him into more disturbing territory. NPR's Bob Mondello says that's especially true of Spider, starring Ralph Fiennes, which opens today in New York.

Established five years ago in Michigan, the Sphinx Competition encourages young Hispanic and African-American string musicians to get involved in the classical music world. Founder and president Aaron Dworkin says American orchestras lack diversity. Celeste Headlee of member station WDET reports.

A sewing circle made up of refugee women from around the world has been meeting regularly in Portland, Ore., for 3 years. The women gather to share techniques, stories, and support each other as they adjust to life in the U.S. At the latest meeting, in the backroom of a public library, a few of them discussed their feelings about the war in Iraq with NPR's Ketzel Levine.

Columnist Arianna Huffington first emerged as a GOP Senate candidate's charming wife. Now she's an ex-Republican who has moved to the left. She bashes SUVs and uses her new book Pigs at the Trough to lash out at corporate abuse. Huffington talks to NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Fred Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, dies of cancer at the age of 74. Rogers hosted the popular children's program on public television for more than 30 years. NPR's Bob Edwards has a remembrance.

In the new film Assassination Tango, actor Robert Duvall steps behind the camera as writer and director. Duvall also steps onto the dance floor; he plays an assassin living in Argentina who wants to learn how to tango. NPR's Bob Mondello reports.

Musicians and theater producers reach a tentative agreement to end a strike that shut down almost all of Broadway's musicals. The dispute centered on what the minimum size of musical orchestras should be. NPR's Bob Edwards talks to Jeff Lunden of member station WNYC.