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National Opera Hands Over Operations Amid Budget Woes

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The Kennedy Center will take over most of the operations of the Washington National Opera. The move is being made due to the music company's financial troubles.

The affiliation announced Thursday calls for the Washington National Opera to remain a separate nonprofit with its own board of trustees, but the Kennedy Center will take over its business, fundraising and marketing functions. Artistic programs will be developed jointly.

The new arrangement begins July 1 and is expected to ensure the opera's survival amid years of budget problems.

The Washington National Opera has an operating budget of $27 million and it has about $12 million in debt.

Placido Domingo, who has served as the opera's general director since 2003, previously announced he will leave this year.

Domingo said in a statement that he supports the new arrangement.

NPR

China Builds Museums ... But Will The Visitors Come?

China is on a spree to build world-class museums and has opened about 100 of them annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.
NPR

Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame

The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.
NPR

IRS Official In Charge Of Nonprofits Declines To Testify

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS division dealing with nonprofits seeking tax-exempt status, will not testify on Wednesday despite a congressional subpoena, her attorney says. She is accused of closely scrutinizing conservative groups that sought tax-exempt status.
NPR

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox One Game System

Microsoft unveiled its new Xbox One Tuesday, displaying a device that takes new steps in game consoles' journey into becoming all-purpose entertainment and communication devices. The new console replaces the Xbox 360, which has been on the market for more than seven years.

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