News
For the first time this century, child deaths under age 5 will likely rise. Why?
A dramatic drop in mortality for youngsters under age 5 has been one of the great accomplishments in global health. But estimates suggest that in 2025 child deaths will go up.
Appeals court hands Trump a victory, OK’ing firings of two independent agency heads
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2 to 1 that President Trump's firings of Democratic members of the Merit Systems Protection Board and the National Labor Relations Board were lawful.
EU hits Elon Musk’s X with $140 million fine over business practices
The fines were due to the platform's misleading use of blue check marks to identify verified users and a lack of transparency over ads and data access for researchers.
Trump’s security strategy slams European allies and asserts U.S. power in the Americas
The Trump administration has set forth a national security strategy that paints European allies as weak and aims to reassert America's dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
CDC advisers vote to overturn decades-long policy on hepatitis B vaccine for infants
In a controversial move, the vaccine advisory group reversed a recommendations for universal immunizing of newborns intended to protect them from a virus that attacks the liver.
Are you a swing voter? We want to hear how you’re feeling about politics
Do you think the country is going in the right or wrong direction? Are you happy with your vote last year or do you have any regrets? Or maybe you sat the election out? NPR wants to speak with swing voters across the political spectrum.
Netflix will buy Warner Bros’ studio and streaming businesses for $72 billion
The merger, announced Friday, would bring two of the industry's biggest players in film and TV under one roof. Beyond its television and motion picture division, Warner owns HBO Max and DC Studios.
The Kennedy Center Honors are coming up. This year’s event will be different
President Trump has made major changes at the Kennedy Center this year, ousting the board chair and president, and naming himself host of the organization's yearly awards show.
Alabama inmates plan work strike as families say crisis continues in the prison system
The families held a press conference near the construction site of Alabama’s new $1.2 billion prison in Elmore County. They said a humanitarian crisis is continuing in prisons despite years of federal investigations and attention.
Has hope survived the war? We asked Israelis and Palestinians we spoke to in 2023
In 2023, we interviewed them to see how the Israel-Hamas war was affecting their ability to feel compassion and empathy. In the wake of the ceasefire this fall, we followed up. What's changed?
China in diplomatic push to isolate Japan in feud over Taiwan issue
No end in sight to spat between Japan and China over Taiwan, as neither Tokyo nor Beijing shows signs of backing down.
Who sued Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week? Find out in the quiz
This week, you'll need to be knowledgeable about holy media darlings, portrait-making techniques, and beloved Canadian icons — and that's just three questions.
NPR battles Trump executive order in court
NPR was in court for a pivotal hearing arguing that the Trump administration had broken the law with its treatment of public media.
The World Cup draw is here. Here’s why it matters — and how it will work
FIFA is about to determine which teams all 48 participating countries in the FIFA World Cup 2026 will face in the group phase of the tournament, which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are co-hosting.
Traffic congestion hits a record high, spreading to more hours of the week
If it seems like traffic is getting worse where you live, that's because it probably is. After dropping during the COVID-19 pandemic, congestion climbed to record levels in 2024, researchers say.
At least 4 countries pull out of 2026 Eurovision contest over Israel’s participation
Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia said they were pulling out of the contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to continue to compete, despite tensions over its conduct in Gaza.
Video shows Luigi Mangione says he didn’t want to talk. Police kept asking questions
Before being read his rights, the suspect in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing talked. Now his lawyers say those words could reshape the case.
Grand jury rejects new mortgage fraud indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James
Thursday's failed indictment against James is the latest setback for the Justice Department in its bid to prosecute the frequent political target of the Republican president.
Supreme Court lets Texas use gerrymandered map that could give GOP 5 more House seats
The Supreme Court has cleared the way for a Texas congressional map that may help the GOP win five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterms. A lower court found the map is likely unconstitutional.
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing ‘censorship’
The order is focused on applicants for H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and is part of a campaign by the Trump administration against online content moderation.
Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts
Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.
CDC advisers delay planned vote on hepatitis B vaccine for infants
After a contentious discussion, the vaccine advisory group pushed the vote to Friday to give members time to study the language of proposed changes longstanding policy on the shots.
DOJ orders prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards
A memo obtained by NPR shows the Justice Department is telling inspectors to stop evaluating prisons using standards designed to protect trans and other LGBTQ community members from sexual violence.
U.S. reconsiders Tanzania ties after deadly post-election crackdown
The U.S. is "comprehensively reviewing" its relationship with Tanzania after hundreds were killed in a violent post-election crackdown.
How old is your music taste? Spotify will tell you, though you may not like it
Spotify Wrapped is bluntly telling users their "listening age," which in many cases is several decades older or younger than their actual age. It's a calculated strategy.
Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth broke policies by using Signal to discuss airstrikes
Inspector General Steven Stebbins says Hegseth's use of the commercially available messaging app to discuss strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen could have jeopardized the safety of U.S. servicemembers.
Putin says there are points he can’t agree to in the U.S. proposal to end Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin made the remarks to an Indian broadcaster before landing in India for a state visit, but refused to elaborate on what Russia could accept or reject.
University of Alabama shutters Black, female student magazines
The editors of Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice magazines were informed Monday that the university was stopping the magazines immediately. A university official cited July guidance from Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Europe’s left is taking notes on Mamdani’s successful campaign for New York mayor
The New York mayor-elect's victory has energized the European left, with politicians casting themselves as their country's version of Mamdani, and strategists eager to study how he won.
Vern Yip’s secret to better home decor? Stop scrolling for inspiration
In the digital age, it's easy to curate the look of your home with the help of artificial intelligence and social media. But designer Vern Yip would like you to take a more hands-on, tactile approach.
FBI arrests suspect in investigation into pipe bombs planted near DNC, RNC before Jan. 6 attack
The FBI has spent years searching for the person who put bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters, hours before the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Ilhan Omar says Trump attacks on Somali immigrants ‘deflect attention’ from scrutiny
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who came to the U.S. from Somalia, about President Trump's tirade against Somali immigrants.
