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U.S. strikes on Venezuela spark alarm across Latin America and beyond
The U.S. military action in Venezuela has drawn condemnation from many regional governments and global powers alike, raising fresh questions about legality, sovereignty and the risk of escalation.
What are the charges against Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro?
The U.S. Justice Department has unsealed a new indictment alleging "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies" against Maduro, his wife and other defendants.
Trump says ‘we are going to run the country now’ after removing Venezuela’s president
President Trump says the United States conducted a strike in Venezuela and captured that country's president, Nicolás Maduro along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
13 questions for politics in 2026
The new year is shaping up to be a consequential one, from control of power in Washington to the agenda President Trump pursues.
Multiple explosions heard in Venezuela’s Capital. Maduro accuses the U.S.
Multiple explosions and fires are being reported around Caracas. It is not immediately clear what is the cause of the blasts. The explosions began at around 2 am local time.
Is Trump taking too much aspirin? Here’s what experts say
Trump takes four times the recommended dose of aspirin for cardiac prevention. Even low-dose aspirin is no longer recommended for people over 60 who don't have heart disease.
Yemen’s separatists announce a constitution for an independent south
The move comes as an escalation of a confrontation that has pitted Gulf powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against each other.
DHS pauses immigration applications for an additional 20 countries
The Department of Homeland Security is pausing immigration applications from 20 additional countries following increased scrutiny on people who seek legal pathways for immigrating to the U.S.
What worked — and what didn’t — in the ‘Stranger Things’ finale
Between the final battle and some key needle drops, there was a little too much talking.
Alabama can’t stage another CFP comeback, has no answers for Indiana in Rose Bowl rout
The Crimson Tide tried everything possible to stage a historic comeback on the site of so many memorable moments for the program. Star quarterback Ty Simpson having to take himself out of the game in the second half because of a cracked rib did not help matters in what ended up a 38-3 loss to the Hoosiers.
Led by Mariah Carey, holiday songs dominate the charts for one last week
This was destined to be a Christmas-y week on the Billboard Hot 100.
George Clooney gets French citizenship — and another dust-up with Trump
The French government says it granted George and Amal Clooney citizenship because of their contributions to its international influence. Their family has primarily lived in France since 2021.
Trump and Iran start 2026 exchanging new threats on social media
President Trump warned Iran not to kill protesters. A top Iranian official fired back to stay out of it, alleging the U.S. and Israel were stoking the economic protests sweeping parts of Iran.
Slow Epstein files release not as concerning as docs DOJ has withheld, says Ro Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna of California says the Justice Department should've started preparing Epstein files for release months ago. Now, he tells NPR how Congress could intervene to speed up the process.
Brain organoids are helping researchers, but their use also creates unease
Pea-size clusters of human cells called brain organoids inspire both hope and fear. Experts are debating how scientists can responsibly use these bits of gray matter.
U.S. interventions in Latin America and the Caribbean haven’t always gone as planned
President Trump's pressure campaign against Venezuela is the latest in a long saga of U.S. intervention in the region that is rooted in the 1823 Monroe Doctrine — and is a mix of success and failure.
With few Epstein files released, conspiracy theories flourish and questions remain
President Trump's changing messaging, Congress' unprecedented demands and the Justice Department's piecemeal release of information haven't quieted the questions. Here's what we know — and don't.
A fire in an Swiss ski resort bar has left about 40 people dead
A New Year's party at a Swiss Alpine bar turned into a tragedy after about 40 people died in a fire and another roughly 115 were injured, many in their teens to mid-20s.
Taiwan’s president pledges to defend island’s sovereignty after Chinese military drills
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the self-ruled island's sovereignty in the face of what he termed China's "expansionist ambitions," days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.
Deaths reported during widening protests in Iran sparked by ailing economy
The protests began due to economic pressures, with Iran's currency rapidly depreciating. Demonstrators have also chanted against the country's theocracy.
Congress failed to extend Obamacare subsidies. This Democrat says Trump can save them
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., says he thinks the Senate can pass a "retroactive" Affordable Care Act subsidy extension, but "we need President Trump."
Rideshare union rights, social media limits and other state laws taking effect Jan. 1
Every new year, public media reporters across the country bring us some of the new state laws taking effect where they are. Here are six in 2026.
Guides to help you tackle your New Year’s resolutions
From building your strength to tackling credit card debt, NPR's Life Kit has a newsletter journey to help you tackle your New Year's resolution.
Guides to help you tackle your New Year’s resolutions
From building your strength to tackling credit card debt, NPR's Life Kit has a newsletter journey to help you tackle your New Year's resolution.
Dozens presumed dead in fire at Swiss Alps bar during New Year’s celebration
Dozens of people are presumed dead and about 100 injured, most of them seriously, following a fire at a Swiss Alps bar during a New Year's celebration, police said Thursday.
Crypto soared in 2025 — and then crashed. Now what?
For most of 2025, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin surged as President Trump vowed to make the U.S. a crypto leader. But now, a severe sell-off has shaken the sector.
Warren Buffett officially retires as Berkshire Hathway’s CEO
The legendary 95-year-old investor spent decades building his company into one of the world's largest and most powerful. Now Greg Abel is taking it over.
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor, capping historic rise
Mayor Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office in New York City after midnight Thursday. The city's first Muslim mayor, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has promised to focus on affordability and fairness.
Rising from the ashes, a symbol of hope at the Rose Parade
Survivors of the Eaton and Palisades Fires find healing and community working on a Rose Parade float to honor the lives and communities lost in last year's wildfires.
The history behind the NYC subway station chosen for Mamdani’s swearing-in
The city shut down the station in 1945 on New Year's Eve. Eighty years later, it's a symbolic venue choice for the incoming mayor's private swearing-in ceremony.
U.S. military strikes 5 more alleged drug boats, killing 8
The U.S. military says it struck five alleged drug-smuggling boats over two days. The attacks killed eight people, while others jumped overboard and may have survived. U.S. Southern Command did not reveal where the attacks occurred.
Capitol riot ‘does not happen’ without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress
Former special counsel Jack Smith also described President Trump as the "most culpable and most responsible person" in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, according to a transcript of Smith's closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee.
