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Long before this week, South Korea had a painful history with martial law
In 1980, violent clashes between government forces and pro-democracy demonstrators in the southwestern city of Gwangju created lasting scars that continue to shape South Korea to this day.
Mexican troops seize a record fentanyl haul in northern Sinaloa state
Mexican soldiers and marines have seized over a ton of fentanyl pills in two raids in the north, with officials calling it the biggest catch of the synthetic opioid in the country's history.
Legendary Medellin cartel drug lord released from U.S. prison after serving 25 years
One of Colombia's legendary drug lords has been released from prison and is expected to be deported. Ochoa was first indicted in the U.S. for his alleged role in the 1986 killing of a DEA informant.
A major power plant fails in Cuba, plunging the island into darkness — again
The blackout, on Wednesday, affected the entire nation, leaving millions without electricity and forcing authorities to suspend classes and work activities indefinitely.
Bitcoin hits $100,000 for the first time. 3 things to know about an incredible ride
From how it got here to why critics are alarmed, here's what to know about the spectacular milestone for bitcoin.
Afghan women reportedly barred from studying nursing and midwivery
Several sources confirm the Taliban pronouncement, part of ongoing efforts to curtail education for girls and women. Women studying these subjects say they were barred from classes this week.
Trump picks crypto backer Paul Atkins as new Securities and Exchange Commission chair
Trump picked Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, to head the agency. Known for his support of cryptocurrencies, Atkins could help shape regulations for the industry.
French lawmakers oust the prime minister after just 91 days, toppling the government
France's government has been toppled by a no-confidence vote in parliament, for the first time sine 1962. Prime Minister Michel Barnier served the shortest time in the post in France's modern history.
Trump chooses billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman to run NASA
Earlier this year, Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk. But his longstanding ties with Elon Musk's company SpaceX raise possible conflicts of interest.
Who is Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO gunned down in New York?
Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, spent two decades at UnitedHealth Group before his shocking death. Tributes are pouring in from coworkers and public officials in his home state of Minnesota.
Longer careers in ice hockey are linked to a greater risk of CTE, a new study finds
A new Boston University study of 77 deceased male ice hockey players found that their chances of developing the degenerative brain disease known as CTE increased with each year they played the sport.
Supreme Court appears skeptical of challenge to ban on gender-affirming care for minors
At issue is a state law in Tennessee that blocks minors from accessing gender-affirming care in the state.
‘Time of the Child’ is a marvelous blend of despair and redemption
Set in a small Irish village in the weeks leading up to Christmas 1962, Niall Williams' latest novel avoids cliché by investing specificity and life into characters and places.
Montana lawmakers cross the aisle to block a trans bathroom ban in the state capitol
Some Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the measure, which would have restricted bathroom access. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana's first openly transgender legislator, won a second term last month.
Trump’s Defense pick Hegseth is under scrutiny. But he says he’s ‘not going anywhere’
Pete Hegseth is fighting to keep his nomination on track after a series of negative reports about his past behavior — including a damning email his mom sent him during his second divorce.
A North Carolina town is suing utility Duke Energy over climate change
A small North Carolina town is suing Duke Energy for costs from climate change, claiming the utility knew its fossil fuel power plants were heating the planet and deceived the public.
The 124 Best Songs of 2024
2024 was a year of breakthroughs, with new stars storming the top of the charts and artists across genres making modern classics. NPR Music's list of best songs of the year has something for everyone.
South Korea’s president faces calls to resign or be impeached
Opposition parties have filed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and plans for rallies in major cities are underway.
D.R. Congo’s mining capital is at the heart of Biden’s bid to counter China in Africa
Kolwezi has some of the world's largest copper and cobalt reserves and that makes it a key location at the heart of the U.S. and China's jostle for mineral supremacy on the African continent.
Supreme Court hears challenge to law banning gender-affirming care for trans kids
At issue is a Tennessee law that bans access to hormones, puberty blockers, and other treatments for trans kids in the state.
Inside RFK Jr.’s nonprofit’s legal battles over vaccines and public health
The nonprofit Children's Health Defense that Kennedy led has filed nearly 30 federal and state lawsuits since 2020, many challenging vaccines and public health mandates.
‘Guardian’ journalists strike to protest sale of sister paper ‘Observer’
Nearly 500 journalists have walked out of the Guardian and its sister paper, the Observer, to protest what they see as a betrayal of the paper's values: the planned sale of the Observer to a startup.
Search goes into the night for Pennsylvania woman who may have fallen into a sinkhole
A grandmother looking for her lost cat apparently fell into a sinkhole that had recently opened above an abandoned coal mine and rescuers worked late into Tuesday night to try and find her.
North Carolina’s voter ID law just got its first big test
For more than a decade, North Carolina has seen a bitter back-and-forth over voter identification rules. The requirement finally got its first major test in last month's presidential election.
Trump team signs an agreement with the DOJ for security clearances
The new agreement will help Trump officials on agency landing teams access classified information needed to prepare to take over on Jan. 20.
Elon Musk’s more than $50 billion pay deal at Tesla was rejected again. Here is why
A judge in Delaware has for the second time struck down a compensation package for Elon Musk after a Tesla shareholder filed suit.
Putin’s planes took Ukrainian kids into ‘coerced’ Russian adoption, a Yale report says
Russia's president and senior Kremlin officials financed and facilitated the transport of at least 314 Ukrainian children into "coerced" foster care and adoptions, a new Yale University report says.
Mickalene Thomas makes art that ‘gives Black women their flowers’
Thomas' work puts Black women front and center. "We've been supportive characters for far too long," she says. "I would describe my art as radically shifting notions of beauty by reclaiming space."
How do you make a film about Afghan women protesters without being in Afghanistan?
Getting footage from the ground was a challenge for the director of Bread & Roses. The documentary, which profiles three women who engage in protests, is now streaming on Apple TV+.
South Korea’s president declares martial law
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an "emergency martial law" on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.
As Israel bans UNRWA, Palestinians stand to lose schools and clinics, not only in Gaza
Israel is severing ties with the main United Nations agency that provides aid to Palestinians. With the focus largely on Gaza, the move also threatens key services in the occupied West Bank.
The fight against medical debt is pivoting to the states after Trump’s election
Patient and consumer advocates fear a new Trump administration will scale back federal efforts to expand financial protections for patients and shield them from debt.
