History

Some of Bill Cosby's accusers were upset that the museum did not initially plan to include a reference to the sexual assault allegations against him.

New Museum Will Mention Sexual Assault Accusations Against Bill Cosby After All

8:16pm March 31, 2016

by Laura Wagner

After days of criticism, the Smithsonian says the National Museum of African American History and Culture will make reference to the assault accusations against the comedian.

Idmonarachne brasieri, from the Late Carboniferous period and found in Montceau-les-Mines, France.

Science

305 Million-Year-Old Fossil A Glimpse Into The Origins Of Spiders

7:47pm March 30, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The main point of distinction between this creature and true spiders: It very likely could produce silk but lacked the spinnerets used by true spiders to, well, spin it, scientists say.

These shrimp "Peking ravioli" (aka dumplings) were featured at the third annual Festival of Dumplings in 2014 — honoring Bostonian and celebrity chef Joyce Chen.

Boston Chinese: A Fusion Food Cooked Up In A Melting Pot City

11:09am March 30, 2016

by Maanvi Singh

Peking ravioli? Chow mein sandwiches? Bread as a standard side dish? There's a fascinating history behind Boston's unique spin on Chinese cuisine.

This version of Baked Alaska at Delmonico's restaurant in New York City stays true to the original: a walnut sponge cake layered with apricot compote and banana gelato, covered with torched meringue.

Baked Alaska: A Creation Story Shrouded In Mystery

5:12pm March 29, 2016

by Maya Silver

In March 1867, the U.S. purchased Alaska. This igloo-shaped, torched-meringue dessert came as a fringe benefit. Was it a sweet flash of genius, political satire — or maybe a bit of both?

Adam Hochschild is a cofounder of Mother Jones. His previous books include To End All Wars and King Leopold's Ghost.

Books
Arts

In Many Ways, Author Says, Spanish Civil War Was 'The First Battle Of WWII'

4:06pm March 28, 2016

According to Adam Hochschild, about 2,800 Americans fought in the Spanish Civil War, and some were bombed by Nazis years before the U.S. entered World War II. His new book is Spain in Our Hearts.

Queue Listen Now

NPR's Past April Fools' Day Pranks

5:15pm March 27, 2016

NPR has a tradition of sneaking in a fake story on April Fools' Day. Guest host Daniel Zwerdling speaks with longtime producers Art Silverman and Barry Gordemer about their favorites from past years.

One Musician Says Bach's Music Has A Special Place In Easter

5:15pm March 27, 2016

Guitarist Paul Galbraith makes the case that Johann Sebastian Bach's sonatas and partitas depict the life, death and resurrection of Christ with his eight-string guitar.

Police officers search a suspect for heroin on March 14, in New London, Conn. Police say an increasing number of suburban addicts are coming into the city to buy the drug, which is much cheaper than opioid painkillers.

Legalize All Drugs? The 'Risks Are Tremendous' Without Defining The Problem

10:29am March 27, 2016

by NPR Staff

In his Harper's piece, Dan Baum digs into the country's war on drugs. He says we have a long history of instating drug laws to demonize certain minority groups, but "Nixon brought it to a high art."

Queue Listen Now

A Rosemary Raisin roll, dubbed the "Tuscan hot cross bun," from Macrina Bakery in Seattle.

Sing It Now: 'One A Penny, Two A Penny, Hot Cross Buns'

6:33pm March 25, 2016

by Tove Danovich

Many in the U.S. know this Easter treat mainly from song. But in the U.K. and many former British colonies (even the U.S.), they're big business.

World News

Journalist Robert Cox Recalls Work During Argentina's Dirty War

4:59pm March 25, 2016

President Obama paid tribute to the Argentines who suffered and died during the "Dirty War" starting in the 1970s. Among those he singled out for praise Thursday was journalist Robert Cox, then editor of the Buenos Aires Herald, who helped to reveal the disappearances, torture, and murder of leftists and others under the military junta. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Cox about his work during that period.