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Rubio warns of U.S. action if Panama does not curb Chinese influence around the canal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened unspecified action if Panama does not take steps to lessen Chinese influence over the Panama Canal.

Trump used fentanyl to justify tariffs, but the crisis was already easing

The White House says fentanyl smuggled to the U.S. justifies tariffs against Canada, China and Mexico. But fentanyl deaths and smuggling have been dropping fast — and Canada plays almost no role.

A plane and a tug vehicle collide at Chicago’s O’Hare airport, injuring the driver

The 64-year-old tug driver sustained head and lower body injuries and was transported to the hospital in critical condition but was later stabilized, Chicago police said.

Why does Musk want USAID ‘to die’? And why did its website disappear?

Under the Trump administration, the U.S. agency that funds aid projects has faced layoffs, a stop action order for most aid efforts and a disruption of its website. Now Elon Musk says it should 'die.'

Your ears can’t prick up, but your ear muscles sure try

Humans actually have vestigial muscles that activate when listening closely to something, even though people lost the ability to really move their ears about 25 million years ago.

In the LA fires and the NC floods, ‘CPR for mental health’ treats unseen wounds

From Altadena to Asheville, people devastated by recent disasters encountered helpers trained in Psychological First Aid. Like CPR, anybody can learn it.

What it’s like to party in the native habitat of Groundhog Day star Punxsutawney Phil

It was a big party in Punxsutawney this weekend. "This is my favorite holiday," one local says of the fuss-free day, adding, "You don't have to even see your in-laws." This year, Phil saw his shadow.

Astronomers are tracking an asteroid that could hit Earth in 2032

The odds are about 1% that the football field-sized object could hit the Earth, but that makes it the closest call in more than 20 years.

Fidgeting at your desk? Your body may be trying to tell you something

That spontaneous restless movement plays an important role in our health. Here's what to do the next time you find yourself bouncing your knee or clicking and unclicking your pen.

How did racist mass texts bypass some anti-spam guardrails after the election?

Americans across the country received harmful hate messages via text after the election. The communication industry has been trying to figure out how it happened.

On the frontline against bird flu, egg farmers fear they’re losing the battle

The tools the US used to contain previous bird flu outbreaks just aren't working this time, according to some agricultural experts. Some egg farmers have called for vaccinations for poultry.

Did your date give you ‘the ick’? Here’s the science behind the feeling

You know that feeling when someone you're dating does this one thing that you just can't look past? Here's what scientists say about why we react this way and whether the feeling is reversible.

D.C. crash investigators focus on altitude and vision quality of helicopter crew

Investigators are still working to piece together key details to determine the cause of the crash that killed 67 people.

Elon Musk’s X sues Lego, Nestlé and more brands, accusing them of advertising boycott

The new defendants added into the legal filing included Lego, Nestlé, Tyson Foods, Abbott Laboratories, Colgate-Palmolive, Pinterest and Shell International.

Trump imposes new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China in new phase of trade war

Starting Tuesday, nearly all imports from Canada and Mexico will be charged a 25% tariff, while goods from China will be charged a 10% tariff.

Third Black Hawk crew member involved in deadly crash near DC airport identified

The Army released the identity of the third crew member aboard the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the deadly airport crash near DCA as Capt. Rebecca Lobach, an aviation officer and past ROTC cadet.

Trump says airstrikes on ISIS in Somalia killed terrorists without ‘harming civilians’

In a Truth Social post Saturday, President Trump announced successful precision airstrikes on the "Senior ISIS Attack Planner," though didn't provide a name for that individual.

7 dead, 19 injured after a small medical plane crashes in Philadelphia

A small plane crashed near a shopping center in northeast Philadelphia on Friday night. The aircraft was carrying a child patient who received medical treatment and was returning home to Mexico.

Trump fires chief of the federal consumer watchdog agency

Rohit Chopra had led the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau since 2021. Consumer groups praised his leadership, while Republicans have frequently attacked the agency.

Democrats will choose new party leadership today

Without control of the White House or Congress, the new DNC chair will lead the campaign arm of a Democratic Party that is still figuring out how to move on from rejection at the ballot box.

As Trump vows to embrace fossil fuels, U.S. climate policy won’t change quickly

President Trump's first weeks in office included executive orders that aim to stop or roll back former President Biden's ambitious climate agenda and redirect the country's attention to fossil fuels.

Prices were a key issue in 2024, but Trump makes clear they’re not his top priority

While prices and the economy were top issues during the campaign, President Trump is making clear that other issues — most notably immigration — are his main focus at the start of his second term.

Three things to know about Rubio’s first international trip

Marco Rubio heads to Latin America on his first trip as secretary of state, including Panama, where President Trump wants control of the canal.

Opinion: Remembering Marianne Faithfull

NPR's Scott Simon remembers English singer and actor Marianne Faithfull, who died this week at the age of 78.

Not too hard, not too soft, rotting fruit is just right – for fruit fly maggots

It turns out, a maggot's preference for rotting fruit has as much to do with texture as taste. Researchers are looking into figuring out why and what neurons are responsible.

Former German President Horst Köhler dies at 81

Köhler, a onetime head of the International Monetary Fund who became a popular German president before resigning abruptly in a flap over comments about the country's military, has died at 81.

Can Trump’s 2nd act work for the working class while giving back to his super donors?

Trump has shown an affinity with many of the little guys — what he called in 2017 "the forgotten men and women." But he also has shown an affinity with some of the fattest cats of all.

‘The Sims,’ gaming’s ultimate social sandbox, turns 25

The original launched in February 2000 and spawned one of the most successful franchises in video game history. NPR's Susan Stone went hands-on with The Sims shortly after its debut.

Dear Life Kit: My husband is more emotional with his work wife than he is with me

An NPR listener wonders whether her husband's relationship with a female colleague is too close for comfort. He says she's being competitive for no reason, and that he sees the woman as a 'sister.'

A U.S. dual citizen is among 3 Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners

Siegel is the first American to be released as part of this deal. A total of 18 hostages have been released since the ceasefire took effect. Hundreds Palestinians have been released so far.

A 2nd U.S. judge says Trump administration must pause its federal spending freeze

The decision came in response to a petition by attorneys general in 22 states and Washington, D.C., seeking to block the administration's efforts to freeze payments for grants and other programs.

Plane with 6 aboard crashes in Philadelphia, setting homes ablaze

A medical transport jet crashed in Philadelphia on Friday about 30 seconds after taking off, unleashing a fireball into the night sky and rattling residents after the second U.S. air disaster in as many days.