Multimedia
Residents, Church Vie For History-Rich Russian Isles
()Russia's Solovetsky Islands, less than 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, have become a popular tourist destination. Originally an outpost of the Orthodox Church, they later became home to a brutal prison. Now, islanders and church officials are battling for control.
Radio Pictures
Healing Honey And The New Queen Bee(keepers)()
![A bee pollinates a wildflower. A bee pollinates a wildflower.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/news/2010/07/16/bee4.jpg?t=1279822562&s=1)
July 19, 2010 From urban rooftops to suburban ranches, apiaries are hip. As the ranks of backyard beekeepers grow, they're reporting some mysterious and sometimes disturbing behaviors, including the disappearance of whole hives. And what about the honey? Is it really good medicine, or just a sweet treat?
North Korea In Transition
Timeline: Key Moments In The Rule Of Kim Jong Il()
![Korean Central News Agency photo released on Jan. 18, 2009, showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Il posing with soldiers. Korean Central News Agency photo released on Jan. 18, 2009, showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Il posing with soldiers.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/19/nk02.jpg?t=1324315688&s=1)
December 19, 2011 Kim Jong Il succeeded his father and ruled the secretive nation for 17 years. It was a period that included repeated friction with the international community over North Korea's nuclear weapons program and a devastating famine in the late 1990s that may have been responsible for upwards of 2 million deaths.
The Picture Show
Russia By Rail: The End Of The Line()
![Karaoke Karaoke](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/16/3photo.jpg?t=1324051701&s=1)
December 17, 2011 After 6,000 miles, NPR Correspondent David Greene crosses into Asia as Russia experiences political unrest.
Remembrances
The Many Targets Of Christopher Hitchens()
December 16, 2011 Over the years, Christopher Hitchens took on most of the leading figures of his time. And at times, it seemed no one was immune from his acerbic aim — not Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini, not Bill Clinton, not even Mother Teresa. Here are a few of Hitchens' high-profile targets, and what he said about them on NPR and in other arenas.
Still No Job: Over A Year Without Enough Work
Long-Term Unemployment: How Do You Compare?()
![Long-Term Unemployment: How Do You Compare? Long-Term Unemployment: How Do You Compare?](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/news/graphics/2011/12/kaiser-poll/images/promo-kaiser-poll.gif?t=1323971833&s=1)
December 15, 2011 A new poll from NPR and the Kaiser Family Foundation shows who the long-term unemployed and underemployed are, the extent of the problems they face, and whom they blame for their economic situation. Below, answer some questions and see how your results compare with those of participants in the NPR/Kaiser poll.
Music Videos
![The Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/27/mariavolonte1_sq.jpg?t=1324998623&s=11)
Maria Volonte: Tiny Desk Concert
The Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.
![The Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/14/juliankoster1_sq.jpg?t=1324309735&s=11)
The Music Tapes: Tiny Desk Concert
The Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.
![Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/09/gemclub1_sq.jpg?t=1323448539&s=11)
Gem Club: Tiny Desk Concert
Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.
![In support of her lovely solo debut, the Fiery Furnaces frontwoman performs live at opbmusic.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/14/20110725_eleanorfriedberger_byingerklekacz_6_sq.jpg?t=1323891784&s=11)
Eleanor Friedberger: Bouncing Between Flavors
In support of her lovely solo debut, the Fiery Furnaces frontwoman performs live at opbmusic.
![Watch the Swedish dance-pop band perform songs from <em>Ritual Union</em> before a live audience at KCRW.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230103252im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/08/10/20110526-kcrw-presents-little-dragon-at-berkeley-studios_second-set_by-jeremiah-garcia_14_sq.jpg?t=1312987226&s=11)
KCRW Presents: Little Dragon
Watch the Swedish dance-pop band perform songs from Ritual Union before a live audience at KCRW.