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LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

And now, a final check-in, alas, from the Olympics.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "GOLD")

SPANDAU BALLET: (Singing) Gold. Always believe in your soul, you've got the power to know you're indispensible. Always believe in you are gold...

WERTHEIMER: Gold, and a handful of other precious metals are what the U.S. Olympic team has racked up. For more on the final tally, we're joined by NPR's Mike Pesca, who is in London. Mike, welcome.

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And now another gloomy financial message. Nouriel Roubini is a New York University professor and former economic advisor to the Clinton administration. And he has the nickname Dr. Doom. Roubini is next in our series of conversations with topnotch economists. But unlike some of his colleagues, he does not claim to have a crystal ball; he makes warnings, not predictions. Nouriel Roubini joins us from New York.

Welcome. So why do they call you Dr. Doom?

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Norway is one of the richest country's per capita in the world, thanks to its vast oil and gas reserves. That oil money has created a high and comfortable standard of living for Norwegians, but the higher prices make it difficult for tourists hoping to visit Norway on a budget. Eleanor Beardsley visited the capital of Oslo and sends this report.

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In Norfolk, Va. on Saturday, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced that his running mate is Rep. Paul Ryan, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin. What does Ryan bring to the table, and will it be enough?

Weekend Edition Sunday guest host Linda Wertheimer speaks with NPR's Mara Liasson about the week in politics.

Weekend Edition Sunday guest host Linda Wertheimer reports on the relationship between likely Republican nominee for president, Mitt Romney, and his running mate Paul Ryan. Earlier this year, congressman Ryan played an April Fools' joke on Romney.

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This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer. The Romney campaign is calling it America's Comeback Team. Congressman Paul Ryan is officially Mitt Romney's choice for vice president. After a flashy rollout in Norfolk, Virginia, the two men campaigned together across the state. Today, they're holding rallies in North Carolina and Wisconsin. NPR's Ari Shapiro has the story of Ryan's first day on the ticket.

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It has become increasing clear that the economies of Europe and the United States are closely linked in ways that have not been especially comfortable lately. Anxiety over Greece has dominated the conversation, but there's also considerable anxiety over Spain and Italy. We're going to talk now with the author of a new book provocatively called, "Good Italy, Bad Italy," which explains why Italy is in such difficulties.

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This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Linda Wertheimer. It wasn't all quiet on the Democratic front as the Republicans announced Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate. In Detroit, leaders of the Democratic Party met to approve a platform ahead of next month's convention and for the first time, the democrats approved a plank endorsing same-sex unions.

NPR's Sonari Glinton reports from Detroit.