News
What to expect as Syria holds first parliamentary elections since Assad’s ouster
Syria is holding parliamentary elections on Sunday for the first time since the fall of the country's longtime autocratic leader, Bashar Assad, who was unseated in a rebel offensive in December.
Some Democrats share Trump’s goal of forcing more homeless people into medical care
President Trump says one part of the answer to homelessness is civil commitment and forced medical care. Some Democrats agree.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump’s National Guard deployment to Portland
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard to Portland, Ore., which the president had ordered over the objections of local leaders.
Largest US Lutheran denomination installs first Black presiding bishop
Rev. Yehiel Curry succeeds Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, who served for 12 years and was the first woman to lead the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
National parks caught in the crosshairs of government shutdown
National parks across the country face conflicting demands and uncertainty as a result of the ongoing federal funding dispute.
Trump urges Hamas to ‘move quickly’ on Gaza peace plan
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that he hopes Hamas will have returned all remaining hostages by Oct. 13.
Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš wins Czech parliamentary election
His political comeback put the country on a course away from supporting Ukraine and toward Hungary and Slovakia, which have taken a pro-Russian path.
Time is short for an ACA premium fix in the shutdown fight, says GOP insurance leader
After warning Congress for months about premium spikes, the leader of the country's insurance commissioners — a Republican from North Dakota — says he's hopeful there could be a last minute fix.
Opinion: Jane Goodall helped humans understand their place in the world
Jane Goodall, the influential primatologist and conservationist, died this week at the age of 91. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on her legacy and love for chimpanzees.
Here’s how the fashion industry is using AI to predict the next big trend
Once the province of elite fashion editors and forecasters, the art of figuring out what's likely to fly off future racks is getting an assist from AI algorithms.
As U.S. pressure mounts, Venezuela’s foreign ‘hostages’ face growing uncertainty
Dozens of foreign nationals are locked up in Venezuelan prisons, accused of crimes they may not have committed. As the U.S. ramps up pressure on Caracas, families fear for their loved ones stuck there.
Lou Ye’s acclaimed ‘An Unfinished Film’ remains unfinished
Chinese director Lou Ye's An Unfinished Film is not a masterpiece, but why do so many seem to demand it to be?
Japan’s ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as leader, likely to become first female PM
Japan's governing party on Saturday elected Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line ultra-conservative and China hawk, as its new leader, making her likely to become the country's first female prime minister.
NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge: Here are our fourth grade winners!
We heard fun and engaging podcasts on topics including how math teaching has evolved, what its like to disengage from technology, and, who has it better: kids or grownups?
The Federal Election Commission is down to 2 members. So its work is at a standstill
The Federal Election Commission, which regulates campaign finance, has lost another member. But the FEC has actually been without a quorum for months, leaving the agency unable to do much of its work.
Legal experts condemn Apple bowing to White House’s request to remove ICE tracking app
It's the latest example of tech giants bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Legal experts say the developer of the app has free speech rights that may have been violated.
Denmark prepares for a Russian ‘hybrid war’ after repeated drone spottings
Many Danes are rethinking their personal security, and stocking up on emergency supplies, amid unidentified drone appearances. Denmark's leaders warn that Russia is waging a "hybrid war."
Space Command is moving jobs to Huntsville. Will workers move with it?
An Inspector General’s report last year revealed Space Command leadership worried civilian workers would not relocate to Alabama.
Sean Combs sentenced to over four years in prison for prostitution-related charges
Combs had been convicted in July on two counts of transportation for prostitution. During his sentencing hearing he spoke at length for the first time in the trial, addressing the judge at length.
Shutdown has already delayed the jobs report. More critical reports could be held up
The government's monthly jobs report was not published Friday as a result of the federal shutdown. That's left businesses and policymakers in the dark about the strength of the U.S. job market.
Supreme Court to hear challenge to Hawaii’s limits on guns
At issue is the state law that bans guns on private property that is open to the public — places like clubs, bars and restaurants — unless the property's owners have allowed them.
The Trump-Epstein statue is back on the National Mall, days after its abrupt removal
The statue honors Trump's "long-lasting bond" with Epstein, which the president denies. The National Park Service took down the statue after one day last week, saying it didn't comply with its permit.
GOP blames government shutdown on health care for undocumented people. That’s false
The White House and GOP lawmakers say a provision in the Big Beautiful Bill that Democrats want rolled back keeps undocumented people from getting health benefits — a claim experts say is misleading.
Take a look! ‘Reading Rainbow’ is back
Mychal Threets, a social media star librarian, is hosting the new iteration of the series. It's back for four episodes starting on Saturday.
Trump gives Hamas a ‘last chance’ deadline to agree to a peace plan with Israel
President Trump said that if Hamas does not agree to the 20-point plan, as presented by Israel and the U.S., then "all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas."
Mexico: The cumbia DJs of the streets
One of the most listened-to genres in the Americas, photographers and storytellers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky document cumbia in Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and the United States.
AI’s getting better at faking crowds. Here’s why that’s cause for concern
Odd fingers and faces in the crowd of a recent Will Smith concert video led to suspicions of AI. But AI is improving fast, and there are serious implications for how "fake" crowds might be coopted.
Karoline Leavitt says White House must cut spending due to shutdown
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the Trump administration has to look at ways to "save money in a responsible way that respects the American taxpayer's money" during shutdown.
Sarah Mullally named first woman Archbishop of Canterbury
Sarah Mullally has been named as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to be chosen to lead the world's 85 million Anglicans.
One of 2 victims in Manchester synagogue attack was accidentally shot by police
Greater Manchester Police named Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66 as the victims of Thursday's attack. Three more remain hospitalized in serious condition.
What to know about former U.K. leader Tony Blair, tapped by Trump for postwar Gaza role
As Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair succeeded in negotiating peace in Northern Ireland in 1998. Five years later, he joined the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq — sullying his reputation ever since.
A public broadcaster’s path after losing U.S. funds: Youth sports and less local news
South Dakota Public Broadcasting says there's an ironic result to President Trump's successful attack on public media: It will have to rely more on NPR programs.
