The Grocery Delivery Man Who Brings Joy To A Housing Complex
A San Francisco man talks about why he volunteers to deliver groceries to his elderly and disabled neighbors.
Opinion
A Punch Line In The U.S., Christmas Fruitcake Is Big In Calcutta
Seen as indestructible in the West, fruitcakes are indispensable in the bustling Hindu city. Bakers of all faiths have the ovens running round the clock to feed Calcutta's appetite for the cakes.
Deford: It's Hard To Write A Christmas Story About Sport
Linking sports and the Christmas spirit is a true challenge, says commentator Frank Deford. "The idea of sports is to beat the other fellow," he says, "while the idea of Christmas is to be giving."
'Rum, Rumba, And Romance': A Book On Cuba's Enduring Mystique
This week, President Obama announced that he will begin to normalize relations with Cuba. Cuban-American writer Richard Blanco recommends a book about Cuba's imprint on the American imagination.
Despite Its Beauty, Cuba Isn't Quite Ready For Tourists
When NPR's Scott Simon has visited Cuba, he saw two economies — one for tourists and one for residents. He reflects on whether the thaw between the U.S. and Cuba can really transform that country.
The Africa I Know Isn't The Africa In The Headlines Today
In 1990, our commentator visited Africa and fell in love with the energy and dreams of its people. Today he sees a land full of promise. But Ebola has revived the image of Africa in chaos.
What's A Sportsman Anyway?
Commentator Frank Deford says awards for sportsmanship seem archaic. These days, he says, we're more likely to talk about unsportsmanlike conduct.
Feeling Watched? 'God View' Is Geoff Nunberg's Word Of The Year
Uber's "God view" shows a map of the cars in an area and the silhouettes of the people who ordered them. Linguist Geoff Nunberg says Uber-Santa doesn't just know when you've been sleeping, but where.
Four Lessons From The Media's Conflicted Coverage of Race
After grand jury decisions not to indict police officers in the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans notes media missteps in discussing race.
After The California Downpour, 'The Drought' Offers Some Dry Reading
It rained in California this week. That might not sound like news, but the state is experiencing a record-setting drought. Jason Heller turns to science fiction to reflect on the strange weather.