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SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight ends with another explosion
Nearly two months after an explosion sent flaming debris raining down on the Turks and Caicos, SpaceX launched another mammoth Starship rocket but lost contact minutes into the test flight.
Arts groups sue NEA for new ‘gender ideology’-related grant restrictions
The lawsuit pushes back against a recent executive order from President Donald Trump that asks funding applicants to agree not to promote "gender ideology" in their work.
Trump says Cabinet secretaries, not Elon Musk, are in charge of agency cuts
The president's message to his Cabinet secretaries comes amid continuing questions over the role of billionaire adviser Elon Musk in the drastic reshaping of the federal government.
A Pentagon press secretary has history of pushing antisemitic, extremist theories
Members of Congress and civil rights groups are condemning past comments from Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson, including some which critics called antisemitic.
California man charged after Lego larceny worth $25,000
The heists occurred in several California counties, where the alleged thief would load his shopping cart with the expensive building toys and disappear into the parking lot in a matter of minutes.
5 takeaways from the confirmation hearing for Trump’s FDA nominee
Dr. Marty Makary, President Trump's pick to run the Food and Drug Administration, faced questions from the Senate HELP Committee on the abortion pill, vaccines, FDA firings and chemicals in food.
Butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a quarter since 2000
Butterflies of all kinds of species, in all parts of the country, have declined by one to two percent since 2000.
Democracy-promoting organization sues the Trump administration over withheld funds
President Ronald Reagan laid the rhetorical foundations for the National Endowment for Democracy in a 1982 speech to the British Parliament. Support for its creation in Congress was bipartisan.
Trump says ‘male circumcision in Mozambique’ is a ‘scam.’ What’s the program about?
In his Tuesday address to Congress, President Trump listed U.S.-funded programs that he considers an "appalling waste" — including "$10 million for male circumcision in Mozambique."
Trump’s latest tariff twist: a break for Mexico and Canada
Trump put 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico on Tuesday. Markets tanked. And by Thursday, he had decided to broadly lift them.
‘Hamilton’ cancels planned Kennedy Center performances
The hit musical joins a number of other productions and acts that have pulled out of appearances at the Kennedy Center since President Trump took over the storied venue last month.
‘Last Breath’ tells the terrifying story of a deep-sea diver trapped underwater
In 2012, three deep-sea divers were on a routine operation in the North Sea when one of them became trapped underwater. Liu had to dive in deep, dark water in order to recreate the harrowing rescue.
That galaxy next door? It’s home to a monster black hole
The Large Magellanic Cloud, a close neighbor to the Milky Way, may house a giant black hole. It's the closest supermassive black hole outside of our galaxy.
At a housewares expo in Chicago, talk keeps turning to price hikes from tariffs
The Inspired Home Show in Chicago draws housewares industry insiders from all over the country to network and show off their latest gadgets. This year, they're making plans to cope with tariffs.
Intuitive Machines probe is on the moon but its status is uncertain
Commercial company Intuitive Machines has put its second probe on the moon, but it was not immediately clear if the vehicle was upright and fully functioning.
House votes to censure Texas Democrat Al Green for protest during Trump address
Texas Rep. Al Green, a Democrat, was officially censured Thursday in a vote in the House following his protest on Tuesday during President Trump's address to a joint session of Congress.
Fighter jets accidentally drop bombs during exercises, injuring 8 South Koreans
The air force said the jets were taking part in a drill with the U.S. military in Pocheon, a city close to the border with North Korea, when they dropped bombs just outside a firing range.
A second federal judge has ruled to block the Trump administration’s spending freeze
U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. said the attempt to pause trillions in federal spending "fundamentally undermines the distinct constitutional roles of each branch of our government."
Zadie Smith is learning to accept the limits of time
Author Zadie Smith says she'll miss being young. In this week's Wild Card, Smith opens up about having enough time and growing older.
Palestinians freed in the ceasefire say Israeli forces harass them and their families
Several Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed during this ceasefire deal have been harassed by Israeli forces after their release, their homes raided or their family members arrested.
Did tariffs contribute to the Great Depression? Here’s what to know
Several factors led to the Great Depression, one of the most severe economic crises in U.S. history. NPR interviewed economists who discussed the causes of the Great Depression.
Steve Carell announces that a charity will fund proms for students affected by LA fires
The children's organization, Alice's Kids, will cover the costs for approximately 800 students to enjoy prom night.
Layoffs and potential closures of key facilities raise worries about NOAA’s future
The Trump administration may end leases for some of NOAA's offices while the agency terminates several advisory committees at the important weather and climate agency.
As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions
The Trump administration's attacks on its northern neighbor have been met with confusion and anger by some Canadians who are now cancelling their trips to the U.S. in protest.
How does the U.S. federal workforce compare with those in other countries?
President Trump's administration has fired more than 20,000 federal workers. How does the federal workforce compare with those of other countries?
DOGE wants to cut $1 trillion this year. But it’s not looking at big spending drivers
Even if you take DOGE's savings claims so far at face value, its moves to cancel contracts, end leases and push federal agencies to reduce head count barely dent the government's balance sheet.
State Supreme Court races can be costly, competitive and combative. Why?
Wisconsin is on track to break spending records once again in a high court contest that's at times turned heated. But these races weren't always like this.
Why is Elon Musk so obsessed with ‘ghost employees’?
When Musk took over Twitter, he launched a payroll audit to root out dead workers getting paid. Now, Musk is launching the same campaign across the federal government.
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
Trump administration can remove head of federal watchdog agency, appeals court rules
A U.S. appeals court has sided with the administration in allowing the removal of Hampton Dellinger from the Office of Special Counsel. The office investigates actions like whistleblower retaliation.
Roy Ayers, whose ‘Everybody Loves The Sunshine’ charmed generations, dies at 84
The vibraphonist, composer and jazz-funk pioneer helped inspire the neo-soul movement, and his best-known song was sampled over 100 times.
2025 is a year of on-screen superheroes – but where are they?
With Thunderbolts*, Superman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and more, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of superheroes across film and TV. But Daredevil: Born Again shows a hesitance to embrace the hero in superheroes.
