<a class="guestlink" href="/people/jeff-wiltse/">Jeff Wiltse</a>, author of Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America, offers a brief history of taking the plunge. Produced by <a class="guestlink" href="/people/hadara-graubart/">Hadara Graubart</a>.

Arts, Culture & Media

Indian-administered Kashmir's Christmas ornament business is on the ropes

Three people sitting on the floor of a room surrounded by shelves filled with neatly arranged round and cylindrical paper mâché items, engaged in crafting activities. A stove is positioned in the center, providing warmth to the room.

Lifestyle

Demand for Christmas ornaments hand-crafted in Kashmir drops amid US tariffs

Thrift store find leads to new college course

A person wearing white gloves holds an ornate circular artifact with intricate patterns carved into its surface.

A thrift store donation in Canada may turn out to be priceless ancient artifacts

Hundreds of people across dozens of countries worked on this single red dress

A display of intricately embroidered dresses, with a prominent red dress featuring detailed patterns, surrounded by other lighter-colored embroidered gowns, under the exhibit title 'The Red Dress.'

Hundreds of people across dozens of countries worked on this single dress

Ireland considers permanent income for artists

An art gallery wall featuring a large landscape mural of a seaside view with trees and grass. Various artworks, including paintings and photographs in different frames, are displayed on the wall. Two prominent abstract pieces on yellow and pink backgrounds are positioned in the lower center and right of the image.

Ireland hopes to make a program giving artists a stable income permanent

Studio 360

Design for the Real World: Swimming Pool

Venezuela's opposition leader meets Trump

A woman in a cream-colored blazer standing indoors, smiling, with a group of people in the background.

Global Politics

Inside Caracas: How Venezuelans view Machado’s leadership

Inside the diverse coalition challenging Tehran

A woman wearing a colorful scarf and striped gloves holds up a peace sign with both hands during a night protest. She stands in front of a crowd holding signs and flags, including one reading "Women Life Freedom."

Protest

Witnesses describe escalating unrest over past week in Iran as opposition figures speak out

Venezuela isn't releasing political prisoners as quickly as hoped

A group of people standing on steps holding signs and photos, advocating for the release of political prisoners, with various posters and names displayed on the ground.

Venezuela begins releasing political prisoners — but slowly

Israeli foreign minister visits Somaliland after first-ever recognition of the area as a country

A woman and child sit against a wall painted with the flag of Somaliland, which features horizontal stripes of green, white, and red, with a green star in the center.

Israel becomes the first nation to recognize Somaliland. Here’s why it’s important.

Inside the high-stakes push to bring US oil companies back to Venezuela

A person walks in front of a colorful mural depicting silhouettes of oil pumps, with a background of yellow, blue, and red hues.

Energy

Is the world closing its doors?

A person wearing a hat and backpack stands at the end of a narrow, brick tunnel, which appears part of an ancient ruin, with rocky terrain visible outside.

Out of Eden Walk

Out of Eden Walk: Is the world closing its doors?

Europe's massive lithium reserve

A partially demolished house with warning signs in English and another language indicating "Danger: Unstable Building, No Access."

Development

Serbia tries to access its lithium reserves amid local opposition

Colombia is looking to be a force for wind and solar power

People walking and relaxing on a sandy beach with rocks and a pier extending into the ocean.

Companies pursuing renewable energy development in Colombia must work with Indigenous communities

Age is just a number

A woman with curly hair working on a laptop at a table in a bright, open bakery setting.

Health

Skin For All website addresses various issues for different skin types

The United States' most famous cannon display comes from the Caribbean

A person in historical clothing stands in front of a group of people gathered outside two stone buildings on a snowy day.

History

How Haitian ordnance wound up in the Adirondack Mountains

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