News
At retirement’s edge, homebuying math gets harder. Here’s how to navigate it
How old is too old for a 30-year mortgage? It's just one of a number of questions that older Americans face when they are looking to buy a home later in life.
Trump grants tariff breaks to ‘politically connected’ companies, Senate Dems say
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen.
Israel strikes Gaza, killing 19, mostly women and children, after saying Hamas violated deal
They are the latest Palestinians in Gaza to die since a ceasefire deal, which has been punctuated by deadly Israeli strikes, came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025.
Here’s looking at you, kid: How the term for a young goat made the leap to children
Kid, meaning a young goat, is a word that was borrowed from the Vikings around the 9th century. Centuries later, it came to mean a child and a teasing joke.
Will calls to ‘abolish ICE’ sway voters in 2026? The strategy has Democrats split
The Trump administration's immigration efforts have led some Democrats to call for abolishing ICE. Others won't go as far, wary of appearing out of step with voters who want immigration laws enforced.
You owe it to yourself to go on a solo trip. Here’s how to plan one
Traveling on your own can be scary, but it can be one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself. Three solo travelers share their experiences — and what makes for a successful trip.
As Trump pushes for Venezuela’s oil, here’s what to know about the U.S. and Iraq’s oil
Oil analysts who worked in Iraq say Iraqi oil sales had more protections after the U.S. invasion than Venezuelan oil sales today.
Ryan Routh, convicted of trying to assassinate Donald Trump, to be sentenced
A Secret Service agent saw Ryan Routh with a rifle at a golf course in Florida and fired on him in 2024 as Trump was golfing. He was found guilty of attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate.
The Winter Olympics are upon us. Here’s how to follow along
The Winter Olympics brings hundreds of the world's best winter athletes to northern Italy, where they will face off in 16 different sports across two and a half weeks. Here's how to follow along.
A photographer will achieve a milestone record at Super Bowl LX
When Super bowl 60 gets underway there will be one photographer on the sidelines who has snapped shots at every Super Bowl game. John Biever was 15 when he took photos at the first Super Bowl; he says this one will likely be his last.
Alabama man faces execution despite not pulling the trigger in auto store customer’s death
Charles "Sonny" Burton is facing execution for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where customer Doug Battle was killed. No one disputes that another man shot and killed Battle.
Penny the Doberman pinscher wins the 150th Westminster dog show
A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. show dogs' most coveted prize.
Brothers of Renee Good call for action in Congress
The brothers of Renee Good, killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, called on Congress to do something about the violence on American streets as a result of immigration operations.
China bans hidden car door handles, which can trap people after crashes
China has introduced new regulations, starting in 2027, requiring all car doors to open manually from both sides. Electric door handles can malfunction in a crash or battery failure.
Syria, once home to a large Jewish community, takes steps to return property to Jews
A Jewish heritage foundation has set out to help restore private property appropriated after Syrian Jews left the country.
NASA delays the launch of Artemis II lunar mission by at least a month
NASA is targeting March for the launch of four astronauts on a ten-day mission to circle the moon and return safely to Earth, traveling farther than any humans have ventured in deep space.
The U.K. investigates its ex-ambassador to the U.S. over alleged leaks to Epstein
The U.K. government says newly released files related to Jeffrey Epstein suggest that the former British ambassador to the U.S. may have shared market-sensitive information with Epstein.
What we know about Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother
Nancy Guthrie is 84 and has mobility issues, but she is mentally sharp, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said. She was last seen Saturday evening.
Back seats aren’t as safe as they should be. A crash test is trying to help
Better engineering has made the front seat much safer in head-on collisions. But the back seat hasn't kept pace. It's a problem one vehicle safety group is trying to solve.
House votes to end partial government shutdown, setting up contentious talks on ICE
The House has approved a spending bill to end a short-lived partial government shutdown. Now lawmakers will begin contentious negotiations over new guardrails for immigration enforcement.
Despite a ‘ruptured’ knee ligament, Lindsey Vonn says she will compete in the Olympics
The 41-year-old's remarkable comeback from retirement was thrown into jeopardy after she hurt her knee during a crash in competition last week. But that won't keep her from racing in the Olympics.
PepsiCo will cut prices on Lay’s, Cheetos by as much as 15%
The food giant is among many big brands worried as shoppers pull back on snack budgets after years of stubborn inflation.
Paris prosecutors raid X offices as part of investigation into child abuse images
The prosecutors raided the offices of X as part of a preliminary investigation into allegations including spreading child sexual abuse images and deepfakes. They also summoned owner Elon Musk for questioning.
Alabama GOP dismisses challenge to Tuberville candidacy
The Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee dismissed the challenge filed by Ken McFeeters accusing Tuberville of not meeting the seven-year residency requirement to run for governor.
5 papers from the Super Bowl of Economics
Planet Money went to the annual meeting of the American Economics Association, and we saw some fascinating papers presented there.
I thought I’d heard my dad’s voice for the last time. A movie helped me find it again
A period drama, a Supreme Court case and voice our film critic hadn't heard in decades.
19 Winter Olympic storylines we’re watching (they’re not just about sports)
The Winter Olympics promise plenty of high adrenaline, fierce competition, historic firsts and emotional moments over 2 1/2 weeks. Here are some of the names and narratives to keep an eye on.
Privatizing Fannie Mae is risky. Would it be a win for taxpayers or Trump’s donors?
The idea has alarmed critics, who warn it could rattle financial markets and drive up mortgage rates, while potentially generating large profits for key Trump supporters.
Can’t wait for Olympic curling? Trying its Southern cousin: skillet curling
It might seem inelegant to yeet an iron skillet across an ice rink. But this spinoff sport has its own techniques and lingo: You can throw a turtle at the bacon, for instance.
Here’s why people say they’re using ‘Are You Dead?’ and apps like it
Safety check-in apps — a way for loved ones to know that you're alive — have become more popular among adults who feel that modern life has made connection and community more difficult to maintain.
Energy Star has emerged stronger after Trump’s EPA tried to end it
The Trump administration tried to end or privatize the government Energy Star efficiency program. But now Trump has signed a budget bill that fully funds the program and leaves it even stronger.
As some states try to show ICE the door, others put out the welcome mat
After ICE federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota, the divide between states on either side of the immigration enforcement debate is growing wider.
