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German Town Sees A Smurf Invasion, As Thousands Gather To Break World Record
- Feb. 17
- Clare Lombardo / NPR
Almost 3,000 people painted their bodies blue and gathered in Germany in hopes of setting a world record on Saturday.
More Than 300 Chemical Attacks Launched During Syrian Civil War, Study Says
- Feb. 17
- Clare Lombardo / NPR
Researchers say this number could be much higher, and that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime carried out 98 percent of them, dropping chlorine gas, sarin and sulfur mustard gas on civilians.
An Italian Town Fell Silent So The Sounds Of A Stradivarius Could Be Preserved
- Feb. 17
- Christopher Livesay / NPR
The mayor of Cremona, Italy, blocked traffic during five weeks of recording and asked residents to please keep quiet so master musicians could play four instruments — note by note — for posterity.
'Every Day Is A Good Day When You're Floating': Anne McClain Talks Life In Space
- Feb. 17
- Lulu Garcia-Navarro / NPR
Kindergartners from Georgetown Day School in Washington D.C., help NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro field questions to McClain, who's an astronaut serving on the International Space Station.
Interior Dept.'s Push To Limit Public Records Requests Draws Criticism
- Feb. 17
- Nate Hegyi / NPR
Public records requests to the office of the Secretary of the Interior have increased by over 200 percent since 2016. Critics say that proposed rule changes to limit those requests will hamper access.
Their Home Survived The Camp Fire — But Their Insurance Did Not
- Feb. 17
- Pauline Bartolone / NPR
The Camp Fire in November 2018 incinerated roughly 90 percent of the homes in Paradise, Calif. Owners of the few remaining homes may find it more difficult to keep their home insured.
'Not Letting It Define Us' — Walking The Runway With Metastatic Breast Cancer
- Feb. 17
- Elaine Schattner / NPR
At a recent fashion show, models came out about their diagnoses — revealing both cancer's scarring effects on their bodies, and their defiant embrace of life.
It's Survivor: College Edition, As Students Create Their Own Reality Shows
- Feb. 17
- Lindsey Feingold / NPR
College students across the country have re-created campus versions of CBS' Survivor — all while juggling classes and homework. The challenges are popular online and have earned a devoted following.
Colonial Williamsburg Serves Up The Past So You Can Try A Taste Of History
- Feb. 17
- Tove Danovich / NPR
The living-history museum in Virginia re-creates 18th-century recipes in its restaurants using ingredients grown in the traditional way onsite. But some modern palates aren't too keen on the taste.
Heather Nauert Withdraws From Consideration For U.N. Ambassador
- Feb. 16
- Emma Bowman / NPR
The State Department spokesperson says "it is in the best interest of my family to withdraw." In the two months since her nomination was announced, Nauert's credentials have been questioned.