NPR Topics: People & PlacesNPR stories people, places, and trends in politics, society, art, and culture. Download podcasts and RSS news feeds.The Human Computer And The Cat Chauffeur- September 26, 2008 Andrew Vollo is a New York City cab driver who has made it his mission to interview as many other cabbies as he can, recording their memories for the StoryCorps oral history project. Recently, Vollo spoke with Oleg Roitman and Jerry Tierstein about their experiences driving passengers around New York.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95051628&ft=1&f=1021 Philadelphia's Legendary Pipe Organ Is Restored- September 25, 2008 The largest playable pipe organ in the world is in a department store in Philadelphia. In its heyday, the Wanamaker Organ could imitate the sounds of strings, horns, woodwinds and all kinds of bells and whistles.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95054394&ft=1&f=1021 Mbeki Out, Motlanthe In As South Africa's New Leader- September 25, 2008 Kgalema Motlanthe is South Africa's new president. The country's parliament elected Motlanthe's after South African President Thabo Mbeki was forced to step down after he was found to be a part of a conspiracy to discredit his former deputy, Jacob Zuma. Ferial Haffajee, of the Mail & Guardian newspaper, offers analysis of the ongoing political situation in South Africa.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95030248&ft=1&f=1021 European Union Meets To Discuss Fair Treatment Of Romas- September 25, 2008 There are more than nine million Roma, also known as "Gypsys," living in Europe. But their lives have been marked with poverty, lack of education and outright racism. The European Union (EU) met for the first time in its history last week to talk about the challenges faced by the Roma minority. David Mark, of the EU Roma Policy Coalition, explains the recent summit.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95030251&ft=1&f=1021 For $40K, Consultant Gets Kids Ivy-League Ready- September 25, 2008 College application consultant Michelle Hernandez charges top dollar to get her clients into top schools. Starting when her clients are in ninth grade, she shapes everything from their hobbies to their college essays. Is she taking it too far One dean says yes — that this is actually fraud.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95034319&ft=1&f=1021 |