News

Israel and Hamas reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a multiphase ceasefire that commits them to end the war in Gaza, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch said.

What L.A. did right before the fires — and why it wasn’t enough

Los Angeles has wildfire policies that are far tougher than many of those in Western states. The destruction from the recent fires shows there are still major gaps to address.

Gaza and the moon make biennial most-endangered list

The World Monuments Fund list seeks to raise awareness and funds to help preserve the sites it spotlights. Africa's Swahili Coast, Maine's lighthouses and Buddhist grottoes in China are also in peril.

Daring to Dream: A reflection on America

In celebration of what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 96th birthday, pianist Lara Downes examines how musicians have followed in his footsteps, and faced the cost of taking a stand.

The secret to doing hard things and getting stuff done

Some people team up with an "accountability partner" or "accountability group" to accomplish big goals or tasks. Here's how to set up a successful partnership.

First Black woman to serve in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after desegregation dies

Nancy Leftenant-Colon, who became the first Black nurse in the U.S. Army Air Corps after President Harry S. Truman desegregated it in 1948, has died at age 104.

On Apache lands, progress in a long war against ticks and the disease they spread

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the deadliest tick-borne disease in the U.S., is a big problem on tribal lands in the Southwest. A community-led response on Apache lands in Arizona is helping save lives.

Trump’s Cabinet pick for secretary of state is Marco Rubio. Here’s what to know

Among President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, secretary of state nominee Marco Rubio may face the easiest confirmation process.

Lower nicotine requirements in cigarettes could be coming soon

The FDA is expected to propose a new rule Wednesday that would mean cigarettes have lower nicotine limits to make them less addictive.

South Korean President Yoon detained after standoff over martial law decree

Yoon and his ruling party supporters remain defiant against the insurrection charges. He is South Korea's first sitting president to be detained.

Pistachio moguls and reservoirs: False water claims spread about California fires

Influencers and politicians are spreading false narratives about water and the L.A. wildfires. These include the idea that farm moguls took firefighting water and an empty reservoir is part of a plot.

U.S. watchdog sues Capital One, alleging bank cheated customers out of $2 billion

The CFPB claims Capital One intentionally kept news of its higher-yield savings accounts from members with lower-yield savings accounts.

Move aside BMI: There’s a better way to define obesity, commission finds

An international committee of scientists has proposed changing the way obesity is defined and diagnosed. The proposal adds more ways to measure body composition and fat.

Trump will begin his presidency in delicate position, poll finds

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows that Americans' support for President-elect Donald Trump's top priorities is split, despite his claims of a mandate for his agenda.

Supreme Court to hear arguments on Texas porn law

At issue is a Texas law that mandates pornography websites verify the ages of their users before they gain access to the material.

Departing DHS Secretary Mayorkas contends he delivered border security in the end

As DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas prepares to leave office, NPR sits down for an exit interview. He tells us the border is more secure now than before the pandemic.

These workers are aiding labor investigations. Will Trump let them stay in the U.S.?

Under Biden, thousands of workers who experienced wage theft and other abuses have been granted protection from deportation and authorization to work so they can participate in labor investigations.

Photos: Southern California pets receive aid from rescue groups

A network of rescue groups are caring for animals affected by wildfires still burning in the Los Angeles area. A multi-state operation is under way to help relieve local animal shelters.

Trump’s Cabinet pick for attorney general is Pam Bondi. Here’s what to know

Bondi is expected to receive broad support from Republicans but face sharp questions from Democrats who have concerns about whether she will protect the Justice Department from political influence.

Safety advocates fear Tesla will face less accountability for car crashes under Trump

With Tesla CEO Elon Musk backing President-elect Donald Trump, safety advocates fear the incoming administration is poised to scrap a federal crash reporting requirement that Tesla calls unfair.

2 private lunar landers head toward the moon in a roundabout journey

In a two-for-one moonshot, SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers Wednesday for U.S. and Japanese companies looking to jumpstart business on Earth's dusty sidekick.

Biden moves to lift state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba

President Biden notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. label of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism as part of a deal aided by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

Dozens of survivors and dead pulled from abandoned South African mine

The mine has been the scene of a tense standoff between police and miners since authorities launched an operation to force the miners out by cutting off food and water from the surface.

South Korean law enforcement officers detain impeached President Yoon

Yoon was brought into custody about three hours after hundreds of law enforcement officers entered the residential compound in their second attempt to detain him over his imposition of martial law last month.

SEC sues Elon Musk, says he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time before purchase

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says Musk failed to disclose his ownership of Twitter stock in a timely manner before buying the site and underpaid by $150 million for shares he bought.

No such thing as a free toilet: Starbucks reverses open bathroom policy

The new guideline is a reversal of a 2018 open-door policy that was implemented after two Black men, who had not ordered anything, were arrested at a Philadelphia store.

The FDA calls for at-a-glance nutrition labels on the front of packaged foods

The FDA wants front-of-package nutrition labels required on packaged foods. The labels would tell consumers if the product has Low, Medium or High levels of saturated fat, sodium and added sugar.

Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives

Indiana University's hospital system is pairing patients with local faith groups to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. The unique new program comes as more doctors are seeing a need to care for patients' spiritual as well as physical health.

Lawsuit by college professors and students challenges Alabama’s anti-DEI law

The complaint asserts the new law violates the First Amendment by placing viewpoint-based restrictions on educators’ speech and classroom lessons.

What’s a ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ red flag warning and other wildfire terms

Here's a guide to understanding "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings, containment, and other terms related to the devastating fires that have left much of the LA area in ruins.

The Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remission

The Princess of Wales revealed that her cancer is in remission after an emotional visit to the hospital where she received treatment last year.

James Webb Space Telescope’s ‘little red dots’ come into focus

A cosmic object spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope has flummoxed astronomers. Now, a research team has studied hundreds of these "little red dots" and found clues about their identity.