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

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. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images hide caption

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William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Two-Way

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

March 31, 2016 • 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.

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

Digital visualization of Idmonarachne brasieri based on laboratory-based scans of the fossil. Proceedings of the Royal Society B hide caption

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Proceedings of the Royal Society B

The Two-Way

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

March 30, 2016 • 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.

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

These shrimp "Peking ravioli" (aka dumplings) were featured at the third annual Festival of Dumplings in 2014 — honoring Bostonian and celebrity chef Joyce Chen. Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption

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Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Salt

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

March 30, 2016 • Peking ravioli? Chow mein sandwiches? Bread as a standard side dish? There's a fascinating history behind Boston's unique spin on Chinese cuisine.

Baked Alaska: A Creation Story Shrouded In Mystery

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. Courtesy of Delmonico's Restaurant hide caption

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Courtesy of Delmonico's Restaurant

The Salt

Baked Alaska: A Creation Story Shrouded In Mystery

March 29, 2016 • 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?

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

Italian troops take part in a Nationalist victory parade in Madrid on May 19, 1939. Military aide from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini helped Gen. Francisco Franco win the Spanish Civil War. Len Putnam/Associated Press hide caption

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Len Putnam/Associated Press

Author Interviews

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

Fresh Air

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.

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

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

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. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

National

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

March 27, 2016 • 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."

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

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

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

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Courtesy of Macrina Bakery

The Salt

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

March 25, 2016 • 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.

Easter Egg Art: Hatched From An Ancient Tradition To Celebrate Rebirth

pysanky eggs Keith Ewing/Flickr hide caption

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Keith Ewing/Flickr

The Salt

Easter Egg Art: Hatched From An Ancient Tradition To Celebrate Rebirth

March 24, 2016 • Cultures around the world decorate eggs to celebrate spring. Modern artists continue those traditions, reflecting the fragility and beauty of life.

Ship That Vanished 95 Years Ago Is Found

The shipwrecked USS Conestoga's stern is seen colonized with white plumose sea anemones. NOAA ONMS/Teledyne SeaBotix hide caption

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NOAA ONMS/Teledyne SeaBotix

The Two-Way

Ship That Vanished 95 Years Ago Is Found

March 23, 2016 • The maritime mystery is solved with the discovery of wreckage off the California coast. In 1921, the USS Conestoga's disappearance with its crew of 56 prompted a fruitless air and sea search.

What Happens When You Empathize With The Enemy

Joel Carillet/iStock

Hidden Brain

What Happens When You Empathize With The Enemy

March 22, 2016 • This week on Hidden Brain, the stories of two men who showed empathy for the other side and found themselves labeled "enemy" by their own people.

What Happens When You Empathize With The Enemy

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Nowruz: Persian New Year's Table Celebrates Spring Deliciously

In every home, the haftseen table is decorated with seven items â since seven is considered a lucky number. Each item begins with the letter sin (s) in Persian, and each item is a symbol of spring and renewal. Azita Mehran/Turmeric & Saffron hide caption

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Azita Mehran/Turmeric & Saffron

The Salt

Nowruz: Persian New Year's Table Celebrates Spring Deliciously

March 20, 2016 • This ancient festival marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the rebirth of nature. And naturally, it has a lot to do with fresh, green foods just beginning to poke out of the ground.

Ta-Nehisi Coates On The Fight Over 'Nina Simone's Face'

This still is from the first trailer for Nina, starring Zoe Saldana as singer Nina Simone. This image of Saldana in dark makeup and with a prosthetic nose helped reignite a controversy over skin color and casting. Nina (2016) Trailer, IMDb hide caption

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Nina (2016) Trailer, IMDb