News

Medicare negotiations underway to lower prices for next batch of drugs

In the shadow of President Trump's efforts to lower drug prices, the Medicare drug price negotiation process that began in the Biden administration continues.

Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine drone strikes, Iran during 75-minute call

President Trump said it was a "good conversation" but noted the Russian leader had vowed "very strongly" during the call to respond to Ukraine's Sunday drone strikes on air bases in Russia.

Vietnam ends its longstanding 2-child policy

A declining birth rate led lawmakers to approve a new policy on Tuesday that lifts the limit on the number of children many families may have.

Some federal workers lost health coverage they had paid for. A Democrat wants answers

Commerce Department employees who were fired, reinstated, and fired again learned belatedly that their health insurance has been cut off. Some had already racked up thousands in medical bills.

Greetings from Mexico City, where these dogs ride a bus to and from school

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international correspondents share snapshots of moments from their lives and work around the world.

Operation Rainbow Space Baby: An astronaut’s journey with IVF

Struggling to have a second child, astronaut Kellie Gerardi uses her social media presence to let others know they're not alone.

Making the case for housing as a human right

And Housing for All is an impressively comprehensive examination of homelessness in America by Maria Foscarinis, who has worked in homelessness advocacy for decades.

A New Orleans restaurant owner’s Facebook was hacked. It put her business in jeopardy

While multi-million dollar ransomware attacks and data thefts targeting governments and industry giants grab headlines, small businesses increasingly find themselves in online scammers’ crosshairs.

To get from experience to emotion, the brain hits ‘sustain’

A study of mice and people looks at how the brain takes an experience, like being cut off in traffic, and responds with an emotion, like road rage.

COMIC: Don’t panic! 6 strategies to keep you calm in a crisis

In dire situations, stress can make us panic and impair our ability to make lifesaving decisions. Emergency response professionals share the tactics they use to stay cool and collected on the job.

Why the U.K. prime minister is calling for a bigger military to face Russia

Key NATO members are upping their defense posture in response to threats from Russia. Experts say the Trump administration's confrontational approach to the alliance is a factor as well.

How DOGE’s push to amass data could hurt the reliability of future U.S. statistics

DOGE's murky push to amass data at federal agencies could hurt the U.S. government's ability to produce reliable census results, economic indicators and other statistics in the future, experts warn.

Private prisons and local jails are ramping up as ICE detention exceeds capacity

The number of people in ICE detention has grown, and detention facilities are over capacity. So the government is intensifying its hunt for more space, and local police are playing a bigger role.

WorldPride is in D.C. this year — which may be why attendance and sponsorship are down

The ripple effects of the Trump administration's anti-trans and DEI policies and rhetoric can be felt throughout this year's WorldPride festival.

With steel tariffs doubling today, a North Carolina manufacturer wonders how to compete

President Trump is doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%. It's designed to protect domestic steel and aluminum workers, but critics say it will raise prices for those that use the metals.

Hegseth orders the name of gay rights activist Harvey Milk scrubbed from Navy ship

The action is the latest move by the Trump administration to purge all programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to diversity, equity and inclusion.

USDA says demand for sensitive food stamp data from states is on hold

The federal government told states to turn over names, birthdates, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data about food assistance recipients. Amid a legal challenge, the agency says the request is on hold.

The White House unveils the new official portrait of President Trump

Trump appears expressionless in the new presidential portrait, depicted against a dark, blank background.

Trump asks Congress to wipe out funding for public broadcasting

President Trump is asking lawmakers to claw back the $1.1 billion in federal subsidies for public broadcasting that Congress approved earlier this year. His request also includes cuts to foreign aid.

In a break with Trump, Elon Musk calls the GOP megabill a ‘disgusting abomination’

Musk joined with GOP critics who say the multi-trillion dollar plan to enact the president's domestic priorities doesn't go far enough to cut federal spending.

Trump asks Congress to wipe out funding for public broadcasting

President Trump is asking lawmakers to claw back the $1.1 billion in federal subsidies for public broadcasting that Congress approved earlier this year. His request also includes cuts to foreign aid.

UAB opens new engineering school building

After two years of construction, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has a new home for its engineering school. Staff cut the ribbon for the Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall Tuesday morning.

Stabilizing ‘operations,’ the National Weather Service hires again after Trump cuts

The National Weather Service says it plans to hire more than 100 additional staff members. The move follows complaints and concerns after the Trump administration eliminated more than 500 positions.

One company forecasting a better year ahead? Dollar General

People are spending more at Dollar General. In part, that's thanks to shoppers trading down from more expensive stores.

Harvey Weinstein’s new trial is almost over. It could be a litmus test for #MeToo

Weinstein's sex crimes conviction in New York was overturned last year. In a new trial, three accusers have testified that Weinstein assaulted them. Closing arguments are underway.

COVID vaccine changes confuse and upset some parents and families

Federal health officials have changed the game for COVID vaccine access. Pregnant moms and others who rely on them to protect a high-risk family member are scared.

Dozens reported killed as Israel acknowledges troops opened fire near Gaza food point

For the third time in as many days, Palestinians in Gaza have been shot while trying to get food. Israel has acknowledged that its soldiers opened fire on people who were approaching them.

A surprising trick to making hard choices: Try thinking less

The tactic may seem counterintuitive, but it can help you make tough decisions faster and with more confidence, says decision coach Nell Wulfhart.

Run For Their Lives, the group targeted in the Colorado attack, is figuring out how to continue its mission

Sunday's attack in Boulder targeted a group called Run for Their Lives, which raises awareness about the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Now, they're figuring out how to move on.

Can bringing back manufacturing help the heartland catch up with ‘superstar’ cities?

In recent decades, America has seen economic opportunities concentrated in superstar cities. Manufacturing boosters hope reshoring factories could help change that. We look at the theory and evidence.

The fate of the EV tax credits depends on the GOP’s megabill

The House version of the tax bill would revoke credits for EVs starting at the end of this year. If the plan survives, it would dramatically shape automaker investments and EV sales.

Researchers say the true cost of prisons and jails is higher than many realize

A new report tries to capture the true cost of incarceration to families of people behind bars. It found it costs them around $350 billion every year – almost four times the government's estimate for the cost of incarceration.