From the Top

Celebrate the New Year with our annual jazz party, featuring six hour-long performances sure to get you ready for 2018.

(Image credit: Robert Birnbach/2017 San Jose Jazz Summer Fest)

Author Sam Graham-Felsen was the chief blogger for the Obama campaign in 2008. His debut novel is a coming-of-age story that grapples with race in America.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage/NPR)

The magazine's 19th annual music issue and CD proves there's more to the Bluegrass state than Loretta Lynn and coal mines.

(Image credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

It's been a banner year in space. We hear about 2017's biggest highlights, including the "Great American Eclipse" and NASA's Cassini spacecraft.

What will you be drinking to celebrate the new year? We asked you to send us your weirdest cocktail recipes.

Nepal has barred solo climbers on its mountains, including Mount Everest, in an attempt to make mountaineering safer and to decrease deaths.

Guest host Lauren Frayer talks with three people who share their stories about "paying it forward" — acts of kindness and generosity that spread from person to person.

Guest host Lauren Frayer talks with feminist organizer Irantzu Varela about the uproar in Spain over the trial of five men accused of gang raping a teenager at last year's Running of the Bulls.

On Monday transgender people will be allowed to enlist in the military. Aaron Belkin of The Palm Center tells guest host Lauren Frayer about new guidelines issued for how to treat potential enlistees.

In Iran, anti-government protests are in their fourth day. At least two protesters were killed Saturday night. The government is blaming the unrest on what it calls "foreign agents."

South Sudan is suffering one of the gravest humanitarian crises in the world. The government and rebel groups recently agreed to a ceasefire, but the fighting goes on.

President Trump gave an interview to The New York Times at his Florida golf club this past week, showing he's still focused on the Russia investigation and his own role in the news cycle.

While Apple's apologies and response to its slowing down of older phones might help on the public relations front, the legal issues are another matter.

(Image credit: Eric Risberg/AP)

A viral tweet from Phil Collins suggests people cue up his song "In the Air Tonight" so the iconic drum fill rings out at midnight. The Twitterverse offered up plenty of other musical suggestions.

(Image credit: Craig Ruttle/AP)

A video rant about the perpetual lateness of Kenyans is prompting debate and self-reflection. As Kenya enters the global economy, can people keep disregarding the clock?

(Image credit: James Yang for NPR)

In this installment of our occasional series on storytelling in video games, we take a look at the dark puzzle platformer Inside. You play as a boy in a red jacket, with no special powers — so run!

(Image credit: Playdead Studios)

It's the chain letter of baking: a simple starter that you divvy up, keeping some for yourself and sharing the rest with others. It's an old tradition we'd like to see you revive in your community.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Emily H. Landsman)

What health goals will you reach for in 2018? And which, if any, will you discuss with your doctor?

(Image credit: Sarinyapinngam/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

An activist says police are less present after controversies over police brutality. "We wanted them engaged in the community. We didn't want them beating the hell out of us," pastor Kinji Scott says.

(Image credit: The Washington Post/Getty Images)