weekend edition saturday

Detailed view shows inscriptions on a sandstone rock, believed to be the world's oldest runestone inscribed almost 2,000 years ago, making it several hundred centuries older than the earliest known ones.

Opinion: The lessons we can learn from 'idiberug'

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon wonders about 8 characters on an old runestone found in Norway. It goes on display today, so others may look and ponder. It is a curse? A love poem? A receipt for Viking take out?

A mother and her son play in the sea at Liido Beach in Mogadishu, Somalia. Despite decades of conflict and ongoing security threats, some Somalis are carving out a middle-class lifestyle in the Somali capital.

Friday at the beach in Mogadishu: Optimism shines through despite Somalia's woes

Jason Beaubien

One of the world's poorest countries, Somalia is coping with conflict, a historic drought and a devastating food crisis. But there's another side to the country. Just take a look at the capital city.

Devendra Banhart grew up in Caracas in the '90s, but didn't perform his first show there until 2022.

How Cusica Fest is trying to rebuild the Venezuelan music industry

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

A music festival in Caracas, Venezuela is building momentum for renewed creativity and expression in the country, amidst an ongoing political crisis.

Poet Charles Simic is photographed at the City University of New York, May 13, 2003.

Opinion: Remembering poet Charles Simic

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon remembers Charles Simic, former U.S. poet laureate who was born in Belgrade right before World War II. He died this week after a long career of writing and teaching.

Army vet Mike Biggs, who has worked ten years for U.S.Vets in Phoenix, on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022.

VA says it's on track to end veterans' homelessness

Quil Lawrence

ENTER TEASER

Bagels are displayed for sale at a Manhattan grocery store on Aug. 6, 2010, in New York City.

Opinion: UNESCO, consider the bagel

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon praises the humble bagel as an American cultural icon.

U.S. health officials approved Leqembi, a new Alzheimer's drug that modestly slows the brain disease. The FDA granted accelerated approval Friday for patients in early stages of Alzheimer's.

FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease

Jon Hamilton

An Alzheimer's drug that removes the substance amyloid from the brain has received a conditional approval from the FDA. A large study found the drug decreased the loss of thinking and memory by 27%.

Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro responds to a question from Barbara Walters, who was covering Senator George McGovern's trip to Cuba for NBC, at a press conference in Havana in May 1975.

Trailblazing journalist Barbara Walters has died at 93

David Folkenflik

Over more than a half century, the driven celebrity journalist built one of the most remarkable careers in TV news. She was 93.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Opinion: The light of Hanukkah shines in Ukraine

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon recounts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's words to a joint session of Congress this week, and how his country has managed to survive, so far, against Russian aggression.

Chicago's Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue double-leaf trunnion bascule bridges, top to bottom, are seen over the Chicago River on April 3, 2006.

Opinion: Remembering Chicago's famed Walking Man

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the life Joseph Kromelis, Chicago's famous "Walking Man", and the harsh conditions that many unhoused people live with every day.