News

A transplanted pig kidney offers a grandmother hope for life without dialysis

The patient was in kidney failure and her immune system would reject a human organ. Scientists hope genetically modified pig organs prove safe and will alleviate the organ shortage and save lives.

FBI warns Americans to keep their text messages secure: What to know

The U.S. believes hackers affiliated with China's government are infiltrating telecoms and stealing users' data. The FBI has urged people to use end-to-end encryption to keep their info safe.

‘Love Is Blind’ cast are employees, labor board says. Could a reality TV union be next?

The case could have big implications for what glues reality show fans to the tube. A pending ruling, whatever the outcome, would set a precedent that other unscripted TV cast members could follow.

‘Fake electors’ from 2020 are casting 2024 votes for Trump while facing felony charges

Eight of the Republicans set to cast Michigan and Nevada's 2024 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump still face felony charges related to efforts to reverse Trump's 2020 loss.

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake causes widespread damage in Pacific island nation of Vanuatu

The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people.

An explosion kills the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces in Moscow

An explosive device planted close to an apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Canada’s finance minister resigns, posing biggest test of Trudeau’s political career

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

New York judge says Trump is not immune from hush money conviction

A spokesperson for President-elect Trump said the case should never have been brought, called for its immediate dismissal.

TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold

A similar plea was filed by content creators who rely on the platform for income and some of TikTok's more than 170 million users in the U.S.

Sotheby’s to auction off ancient Ten Commandments tablet

One of the earliest tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments (dating to A.D. 300-800) is scheduled to go up for auction at Sotheby's on Wednesday.

Amazon manipulated injury data to make warehouses appear safer, a Senate probe finds

A Senate committee investigation, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, accused Amazon of risking worker safety for speed while manipulating injury data to make its warehouses seem safer than they are.

2 people and the suspected gunman are dead in Wisconsin school shooting

At least three people, including the alleged shooter, are dead after a shooting at a Wisconsin grade school.

First public comments attributed to Assad claim he never planned to leave Syria

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is believed to have issued his first remarks since opposition forces took over the capital over a week ago in a Telegram post from Moscow.

Germany’s Scholz loses a confidence vote, triggering new elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had hoped for this outcome when he called for the confidence vote, analysts say. His aim: to win fresh elections in February and come back with a stronger mandate.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a longtime theater lover, makes her Broadway debut

Jackson made a cameo in the romantic comedy musical & Juliet on Saturday night. She told NPR: "I got a call, and someone said, 'We heard that this was your lifelong dream.' And it is."

These global stories were very, very, very popular in 2024

Our blog published hundreds of stories in 2024. These are the 11 that captured the most pageviews. If you look at the headlines, you'll understand why.

NPR wants to know: What is a key lesson you learned this year?

The year is coming to a close, which can bring a lot of reflection. What went great and what might have gone sideways? Every year we learn lessons on what to improve, what are some of yours?

Life Kit’s most-read stories of 2024: Sleep myths, tipping etiquette, home design tricks

Comics, social etiquette and myth-busting stories ruled Life Kit in 2024. That includes guidance on what to do if a partner cheats — and how to tip at fast food joints.

A 50 thousand year-old love story between humans and Neanderthals

Tens of thousands of years ago, modern humans mated with Neanderthals. But exactly how and when that happened, and who those groups of humans were, was less known. New research adds some clues.

As a kid, I hated playing sports. As an adult, I fell in love with them

Want to start a new fitness activity? These older athletes have ideas.

The Biden overtime rule was struck down. Now, some workers are losing pay raises

The overtime rule would have made more than 4 million workers newly eligible to earn overtime on Jan. 1. Then a federal judge in Texas said the Biden administration had gone too far.

A desert festival where robots are the headliner

Scientists are using the Mojave Desert to test robots for the next space age.

Trump claims a ‘massive’ mandate, but presidents often overread their victories

There's a long history of presidents claiming that their win means the will of the people is behind their agendas. But elections are rarely full-throated endorsements of a candidate's every policy.

How are states spending their opioid settlement cash? Look yours up in this database

From addiction treatment to toy robot ambulances, here's how state and local governments used billions in opioid settlement funds in 2022 and 2023. Explore this database to find our how officials are using the payouts where you live.

The federal EV tax credit has an uncertain fate. What car shoppers should know

Currently, drivers can get a tax credit worth up to $7,500 for buying or leasing an EV. But the incoming administration promised to roll back those credits, which they consider wasteful spending.

France rushes help to Mayotte, where hundreds are feared dead from Cyclone Chido

France was rushing help by ship and military aircraft to its poor overseas territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean on Monday after the island was shattered by its worst storm in nearly a century.

2 men were arrested in Boston for allegedly flying a drone near the airport

Two men were arrested in Boston on Saturday for allegedly operating a drone "dangerously close" to Logan International Airport, police said.

Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions

Israel said Sunday it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorated over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials said new Israeli airstrikes killed over 46 people including several children.

As drone sightings spread across East Coast, federal officials still don’t know much

Clusters of drones have been reported flying over at least six states. The Biden administration is pushing Congress to pass legislation that would expand counter-drone authorities.

Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla virtuoso who defied genres, dies at 73

Hussain's career spanned over five decades, during which he was revered as both a national treasure in India and admired worldwide.

U.S. has made contact with Syrian rebel group HTS, Blinken says

Comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken this weekend were the first time a U.S. official has acknowledged contact with the Syrian rebel group that drove Bashar al-Assad from power.

This cookbook is unlike any other from India. Pass the honeycomb, please!

In Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada, Shahu Patole pays tribute to a cuisine that has long been considered not worthy of documentation. We interviewed Patole — and are sharing some of his recipes.