News
How did the newt cross the road? With the help of the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade!
In northern California, a group of volunteers spend every night from late fall through winter as crossing guards–escorting migrating salamanders across a rural road.
A minister was acquitted of a brutal 1832 murder. A new book revisits the case
In the world of true crime, Fall River, Mass. is known for Lizzie Borden, but another murder 60 years earlier captivated New England. Kate Winkler Dawson tells the story in The Sinners All Bow.
Jayden Daniels could make Super Bowl history. Doug Williams says it’s about time
Washington Commanders' Daniels could become the first rookie quarterback to play the Super Bowl. Williams, who led the team to a Super Bowl win, says talented Black QBs are finally getting their due.
Want good luck this year? Try these Lunar New Year traditions from NPR readers
Each culture that celebrates the Lunar New Year has traditions passed down from generation to generation that are thought to bring good luck. NPR readers share theirs.
Churches have a long history of being safe havens — for immigrants and others
For centuries, houses of worship have served as havens for people needing refuge — and, in recent decades, sanctuary from the U.S. government.
International peacekeepers killed as fighting rages around eastern Congo’s key city
Fighting with M23 rebels in eastern Congo has left at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead. M23 has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling the eastern city of Goma.
Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more refugees to ‘just clean out’ Gaza
President Donald Trump said Saturday he'd like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting to "just clean out" the war-torn area.
In Las Vegas, Trump once again pitches no taxes on tips
President Trump's pitch to stop taxing tips is popular with everyone -- except for economists.
Exclusive: White House in talks to have Oracle and U.S. investors take over TikTok
The aim is to place oversight control in the hands of American software company Oracle and other investors. Under federal law, TikTok must split apart from China, or face a nationwide ban.
Madison Keys wins her first-ever Grand Slam title against two-time defending champion
Madison Keys was a tennis prodigy, beating Serena Williams when she was just 14 years old, but had not won a grand slam title in her 15 year career.
PEPFAR, the acclaimed anti-HIV program, faces loss of funds as part of U.S. aid pause
On Friday, a memorandum signed by Marco Rubio called for a 90-day cessation of foreign aid. That would likely put on hold the work of PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Trump uses mass firing to remove inspectors general at a series of agencies
The dismissals began Friday night, according to two people cited by The Associated Press. An email sent by one of the fired inspectors general said "roughly 17" inspectors general had been removed.
Senate confirms Kristi Noem as Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security
Noem will be in charge of executing one of President Trump's biggest priorities in his second term: cracking down on immigration.
The FDA pulls key DEI initiative for cancer studies from its website
A Food and Drug Administration project to promote diversity in clinical studies of cancer treatments was removed from the agency's website, as the Trump administration halts DEI initiatives.
Palestinians in Gaza return to find their city in ruins after Israeli troops withdraw
With a ceasefire agreement pausing the war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli troops have withdrawn from Gaza city centers. For the first time in eight months, NPR got a glimpse of Rafah this week.
Once off-limits to Syrians, Assad’s former summer residence now attracts tourists
The summer home of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad was once off-limits to ordinary Syrians. Now people are lining up to visit and wandering around the rooms — which are empty after being looted.
Reasons to root for (or against) every team in the NFL’s semifinal weekend
Only four teams remain in the hunt for the Super Bowl — the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders — but there are plenty of narratives to go around.
Opinion: A miracle amid the fire
NPR's Scott Simon shares the story of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which burned from the Eaton Fire. A mural was concealed behind one of the walls.
The Eaton Fire forced them from their homes. Here’s what residents took with them
Many residents in Altadena, Calif., evacuated not knowing it would be the last time they would see their homes standing. Their decisions about what possessions to take were rushed — or not made at all.
Trump calls on the federal government to recognize North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe
President Trump made good on a campaign promise to ask the Department of the Interior to recognize the Lumbee people of North Carolina — a tribe whose Native identity has long been called into question.
Hamas releases 4 more hostages as part of ceasefire agreement with Israel
Four female soldiers taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023 by Hamas were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Saturday morning, and then transferred to the Israeli military.
5 money-draining mistakes travelers make when planning a vacation
People get a lot wrong when it comes to paying for vacation, say travel experts, and that can cost serious cash. Here's how to plan a trip that's safe, adventurous and under budget.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s embattled pick for defense secretary, wins Senate confirmation
Vice President J.D. Vance cast a tie-breaking vote as Hegseth overcame allegations of sexual assault, public drunkenness and questions of financial mismanagement to win Senate approval.
Trump re-enacts policy banning aid to groups abroad that discuss or provide abortions
The Mexico City Policy cuts off U.S. aid to health groups in other countries that offer abortion services or counseling. As in 2021, Trump has reinstated this policy, which was deactivated by Biden.
U.S. puts virtually all foreign aid on 90-day hold, issues ‘stop-work’ order
Following Trump's Monday freeze on foreign aid, a subsequent memo calls for for a stop-work order for current grants and contracts.
Arrest warrant proposed for Taliban leaders for gender-based crimes
The International Criminal Court, a U.N. agency, has to approve the warrants. They've been condemned by the Taliban and welcomed by Afghan women and their advocates — with some reservations.
UnitedHealthcare names new CEO after Brian Thompson’s killing
The largest U.S. insurer promoted company executive Tim Noel to replace Thompson, whose death sparked a national outcry over the health care industry.
A White House order claims to end ‘censorship.’ What does that mean?
The order bars the government from "any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen" and orders an investigation into the Biden administration's actions.
Trump ends Fauci’s security detail, says he’d feel no responsibility if he was harmed
Fauci is the latest in a string of former Trump aides-turned-critics to see their federal protection canceled.
French woman who refused sex with husband not to blame for divorce, rights court says
Europe's top human rights court ruled the woman's right to respect for private and family life had been violated when French courts found her solely at fault for her divorce because she withheld sex.
Photos: See the pandas’ official return to the National Zoo
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are out of quarantine and in the spotlight after a three-month wait and 8,000 mile trip from China.
Trump officials empower DHS to expel migrants allowed under 2 Biden programs
Immigration officials would have authority to quickly expel migrants temporarily admitted via the CBP One App and a separate program for certain people fleeing Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
