News
How a fox skull shape conquers the snow
Research explains how foxes hunting mice can plunge down into the snow at high speeds without injuring their poor little snouts.
Top global TikToks in 2024: Mr. Bean disciple, lip-synch for their life, baby hippo!
Scenes from some of the most popular TikToks from the Global South in 2024: a dancing teen from the Philippines; an homage to Mr. Bean, that cute baby pygmy hippo.
More than 10,000 migrants died in 2024 trying to reach Spain by sea, aid group says
The migration route that connects West African nations with the Spanish Canary Islands remains the deadliest in the world, according to a Spanish aid organization.
Congressional lawmakers almost got a pay bump this year. Then it crashed and burned
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill haven't had a pay increase since 2009, representing a 31% decline in their salary when adjusted for inflation.
A health care provider that faced dozens of prisoner lawsuits is filing for bankruptcy
Wellpath, a health care provider for hospitals, prisons and jails, has been dogged by wrongful death and medical negligence suits. What happens to those cases now that it has filed for bankruptcy?
For homeless seniors, finding stable housing takes a village — and a lot of luck
The number of unhoused seniors is expected to triple by 2030. As rents rise, it becomes tougher to find affordable housing that's accessible for those with medical conditions and disabilities.
A wild year in politics, by the numbers
From the election results to the the charges against President-elect Donald Trump, here are the numbers that defined 2024 in politics.
Living HealthSmart in Alabama is getting easier thanks to a growing UAB initiative
The Live HealthSmart Alabama initiative, which the University of Alabama at Birmingham launched in 2019, has a goal of pulling Alabama out of the bottom 10 states in terms of negative health indicators by removing systemic barriers. Pilot projects in four Birmingham neighborhoods wrapped up this year, and organizers hope their success can be replicated throughout the state.
South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament votes to impeach acting president
The impeachments of the country's president and then acting-president worsen the nation's political turmoil, deepen its economic uncertainty and hurt its international image.
Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia that Finnish customs officials and the European Union's executive commission describe as part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers.
Richard Parsons, who steadied Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76
Parsons, one of corporate America's most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager.
The ‘Beyoncé Bowl’ halftime show was a massive hit for Netflix. The football was too
Netflix says more than 200 countries tuned into the "Beyoncé Bowl" and its two NFL games. We may just be starting to learn what that ultimately means for the future of television and sports media.
Bird flu has killed 20 big cats including cougars at a U.S. wildlife sanctuary
The sanctuary in Washington state said it was working with officials to determine the cause of the outbreak, which has killed over half of its cats in recent weeks.
Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital. WHO chief says he was nearby
A round of Israeli airstrikes targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports. The head of the World Health Organization said the bombardment occurred as he prepared to board a flight.
Giving a kidney to a stranger? Researchers call it ‘extraordinary altruism’
Only about 300 to 400 people a year give a kidney to someone they never met. It's an act of generosity so unusual, a neuroscientist studies the people who do this.
Manmohan Singh, India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014, has died
Singh was known as the father of economic reforms in India. He served as finance minister in the early 1990s, and his policies then set India on the path of economic liberalization and globalization.
Investigation begins into the cause of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash
Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster.
Photos: Fishermen, known as ‘Sea Nomads,’ dive to protect ocean life in Madagascar
They make their living off the sea, but their catch is dwindling. So these traditional fisherfolk are taking steps to preserve both sea life — and their livelihood.
Mourners mark 20 years since Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people
Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the catastrophic event was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history.
How to navigate gift returns and regifting this holiday season
Etiquette experts weigh in on what to do with that ugly sweater you got for the holidays.
Here are some of the NPR stories that had a big impact in 2024
From learning a new skill to prompting federal legislation, here are some of the ways people's lives were affected by the NPR Network's journalism this year.
The 2024 moments that will stick with us: Reflections from the Gulf States Newsroom
Our regional reporters reflect on delightful, discarded moments they had in the field as they covered stories across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Israeli strike kills 5 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, officials say
An Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, according to the Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it had targeted a group of militants.
Minn. Democratic party chair says his wins could help nationally after loss to Trump
Ken Martin helped turn around the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's finances and secure a streak of statewide wins for the party over 18 years. Now, he wants to do the same thing for the Democratic National Committee.
Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year
The copyrights of thousands of 20th-century films, books, compositions and sound recordings expire on Jan. 1, making them free for anyone to share and adapt. Here are some of the highlights.
Remembering the actors, musicians, writers and artists we lost in 2024
Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.
Giving up alcohol for Dry January? Our newsletter can help you reach your goal
If your New Year's resolution is to drink less alcohol, Life Kit is here to help. Sign up for our Dry January newsletter series, and get tips and strategies to help you stay alcohol-free for a month.
100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?
The burst of new laws follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling, and reflects public frustration with record-high homelessness. But advocates say fines and jail time will only make the problem worse.
Snowboarder’s death in Swiss Alps avalanche is a reminder that even pros face risk
The death of an Olympic snowboarding athlete is a reminder that even the most skilled and experienced athletes are not immune to the threat of avalanches, and that knowledge is key to staying safe.
Scientists await signal from spacecraft after historic close encounter with the sun
To get so close, the Parker Solar Probe had to withstand the sun's extreme heat and radiation like no spacecraft before it.
Mega Millions jackpot surges past $1 billion
The Mega Millions prize has now grown to an estimated $1.15 billion, which could be the fifth-largest jackpot in the game's history.
Pope urges ‘all people of all nations’ to silence arms in Christmas address
Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message urged "all people of all nations" to find courage "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.
