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Commentator David Crystal has some thoughts on the words we invent when we can't find the way to say just what we mean. Crystal is the author of the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. He lives in Holyhead, Wales.

Noah speaks with Sandy Spence, the pipe major of the Atholl Highlanders. He will be playing pipes at the funeral of Gregory Iain Murray, who was the Duke of Atholl, who died at the age of 64. The Duke of Atholl was one of Britain's wealthiest men and had the only remaining private army in England.

Noah talks to put-on artist Mal Sharpe. With the late Jim Coyle, Sharpe staged deadpan encounters with strangers on the streets of San Francisco in the early 1960s. The two taped the bits for a radio station. They presented the people they met with odd challenges -- absurd premises that made the victim grasp for reality. A collection of some of that material has now be re-issued on a compact disc. Sharpe says he and his partner dressed and acted like upright citizens, but spoke sanely about insane things. He says people were more suspectible to such charades back then, but are more suspicious these days.

to appear on ballots in all 31 congressional districts in New York. Bob Dole is also in all districts, and Pat Buchanan will appear in 18. New York's primary, with 93 delegates at stake, will be held one week from today.

Noah talks with Tina Landau, a playwright who has written a new musical opening in New York this weekend. "Floyd Collins" recounts the true story of a man by that name, who, in 1925, was trapped in a cave in Kentucky for several days. The efforts to get him out and the unraveling human tragedy became the focus of national and worldwide attention, unusual in an age without instant delivery of the news. (5:00) Funder 0:29 XPromo 0:29 CUTAWAY 1B 0:29 RETURN1 0:29 NEWS 2:59 NEWS 1:59 THEME MUSIC 0:29 1C 5. COLOMBIA & DRUGS -- NPR's David Welna reports on the scandal swirling around Colombian President Ernesto Samper, who has been indicted on charges he took millions of dollars from drug traffickers for his election campaign. The charges against Samper helped convince President Clinton to announce today that he will cut off most aid to Colombia because of its failure to do enough in the war against drugs. But while the scandal has caused outrage in Washington, most Colombians are not demanding that Samper resign.

NPR's David Welna reports on the scandal swirling around Colombian President Ernesto Samper, who has been indicted on charges he took millions of dollars from drug traffickers for his election campaign. The charges against Samper helped convince President Clinton to announce today that he will cut off most aid to Colombia because of its failure to do enough in the war against drugs. But while the scandal has caused outrage in Washington, most Colombians are not demanding that Samper resign.

Noah talks with artist and musician Terry Allen, who grew up in the 40s and 50s in Lubbock, Texas, and now lives in Santa Fe. His sculptures are in the collections of many well-known modern art museums; and his country songs have earned him a cult following. Up until now he has released his music on his own Fate Records label, but his newest CD, "Human Remains", is on Sugar Hill. Allen says that a lot of his songs have been written behind the wheel of a car, and thinks of tires as condusive to song-writing. (8:00) (IN S

NPR's Julie McCarthy reports that tensions between Taiwan and mainland China are escalating to the point where China is on the verge of conducting war games in the Taiwan Strait. The threat comes only weeks before Taiwan's presidential election, and is seen an attempt to intimidate Taiwanese voters.

NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on independence day celebrations in Sarajevo. On March 1, 1992, the Bosnian Parliament declared the country independent of Yugoslavia and sparked a war. Today Bosnia is at peace.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Sarajevo on the escalating tension in Bosnia.

WAY - Daniel talks with two men from Northern Ireland, one Protestant the other Catholic, about the effect yesterday's bombing in London by the Irish Republican Army might have on the peace talks. Liam Maskey, a Catholic, is with the community group 'Intercom' which works with at-risk youth in Catholic neighborhoods in Belfast. And, Mark Armstrong is with the "Youth Stadium Club", a group which works with at-risk youth in Protestant areas of the city. Both men were shocked and disappointed by the bombing but remain hopeful that the peace talks will continue and the ceasefire will resume.

Authority to crack down on Hamas.

party -- 20 years after the death of General Franco -- although it will not have a parliamentary majority.

Noah talks with reporter Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem about the latest developments in Israel after today's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

One of the first acts of the 104th Congress was to require members to comply with the federal workplace laws from which Congress has traditionally exempted itself. NPR's Chitra Ragavan reports that a new report says that means more than 40 percent of Congressional staffers should be getting overtime.

Gene Johnson of member station WNYC reports on the corruption- plagued New York Police Department and its efforts to restore the concept of ethics to the force. He also examines what it takes to be a "good cop."

Linda talks with Rusty Paul, Georgia Republican Party state chairman, and Barbara McTurk, the Colorado State Republican Party vice chairwomen, about the primaries in their two states and the need for the Republicans to agree on their vision for the future.

Linda talks with Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert about the political fallout of the bombings. Olmert, a leading figure in the opposition Likud Party, says the bombings have focused the nation and the government on Israel's need for security and that some form of Israeli retaliation inside the Palestinian-administered areas is only a matter of time.

NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports that a recent shooting in Dallas has provided ammuntion for those opposed to the state's new law allowing citizens to carry a concealed weapon. A minor traffic accident became a tragedy when one motorist shot the other with a gun he was licensed to carry during the ensuing argument.

John Guardo was once a hood. He served time on Rikers Island. Now, he's a law-abiding citizen with a job. This is his story, in his own words.

NPR's Eric Weiner reports that Israeli troops destroyed the family home of a suicide bomber responsible for 18 deaths last week. Israel's foreign minister put additional pressure on Palestinian Authority President Yasser Araft, saying if Arafat doesn't crack down on Muslim extremists, Israel will do it for him.

Linda talks with NPR's chief political correspondent Elizabeth Arnold about the string of Republican primaries and caucuses throughout the country today and how the results may affect the political futures of the GOP candidates.

reaction to the passage of the Helms-Burton Bill tightening sanctions on Cuba.

Noah and Linda read more listeners' responses to our request for notable quotes in which the speaker refers to him or herself in the third person, ala Bob Dole.

NPR's Joe Palca reports that two U.S. Marines face court martial for refusing to give samples of their DNA. The military is collecting DNA samples from all the services to help identify the remains of casualties. But the marines are concerned that the information might be used for other things, and their privacy may be violated.