You read that white: Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year is ‘Cloud Dancer’
This is the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of white. The company says it's "a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection."
CDC advisers delay planned vote on hepatitis B vaccine for infants
After a contentious discussion, the vaccine advisory group pushed the vote to Friday to give members time to study the language of proposed changes longstanding policy on the shots.
DOJ orders prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards
A memo obtained by NPR shows the Justice Department is telling inspectors to stop evaluating prisons using standards designed to protect trans and other LGBTQ community members from sexual violence.
U.S. reconsiders Tanzania ties after deadly post-election crackdown
The U.S. is "comprehensively reviewing" its relationship with Tanzania after hundreds were killed in a violent post-election crackdown.
How old is your music taste? Spotify will tell you, though you may not like it
Spotify Wrapped is bluntly telling users their "listening age," which in many cases is several decades older or younger than their actual age. It's a calculated strategy.
Tune in to a mini-concert with Nation of Language
The New York band performs tracks from their latest album, Dance Called Memory.
Pentagon watchdog finds Hegseth broke policies by using Signal to discuss airstrikes
Inspector General Steven Stebbins says Hegseth's use of the commercially available messaging app to discuss strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen could have jeopardized the safety of U.S. servicemembers.
George Clooney’s kids don’t care about his success (and that’s a good thing)
In Jay Kelly, Clooney plays an emotionally stunted movie star struggling with work and family life. He can relate: "We're all balancing it. We're never getting it perfect."
Putin says there are points he can’t agree to in the U.S. proposal to end Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin made the remarks to an Indian broadcaster before landing in India for a state visit, but refused to elaborate on what Russia could accept or reject.
Europe’s left is taking notes on Mamdani’s successful campaign for New York mayor
The New York mayor-elect's victory has energized the European left, with politicians casting themselves as their country's version of Mamdani, and strategists eager to study how he won.
Vern Yip’s secret to better home decor? Stop scrolling for inspiration
In the digital age, it's easy to curate the look of your home with the help of artificial intelligence and social media. But designer Vern Yip would like you to take a more hands-on, tactile approach.
FBI arrests suspect in investigation into pipe bombs planted near DNC, RNC before Jan. 6 attack
The FBI has spent years searching for the person who put bombs near the Democratic and Republican committee headquarters, hours before the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
13 musical moments World Cafe loved in 2025
To close out the year, World Cafe shares some of their personal favorite music-related moments.
Ilhan Omar says Trump attacks on Somali immigrants ‘deflect attention’ from scrutiny
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who came to the U.S. from Somalia, about President Trump's tirade against Somali immigrants.
This High Arctic rhino may change what we know about ancient animal migrations
A 23-million-year-old rhinoceros fossil is reshaping scientists' understanding of mammal evolution.
‘New York Times’ sues Pentagon over media restrictions
The Times accuses Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth of violating its constitutional rights with a press policy that, the paper says, deprives the public of access to critical national security information.
‘There’s no 911 for us’: Inside America’s elite urban search and rescue teams
America's urban search and rescue teams are facing financial and political pressure. However, their work has never been more in demand, as weather disasters become increasingly common.
Announcing the NPR Student Podcast Challenge for 2026 — and a very special prize!
The annual contest for students in grades four through 12 is back for its eighth year — this time with a special prize for a podcast that marks the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Hepatitis B: What parents should know about the virus and the vaccine
For decades, newborns in the U.S. have been given the hepatitis B vaccine. This could change. A CDC vaccine advisory panel may vote to end that routine vaccination. Here's what parents should know.
U.S. health care is broken. Here are 3 ways it’s getting worse
One year after UnitedHealthcare's CEO was shot and killed, the crisis in U.S. health care is intensifying — even for the companies and investors who make money from it.
In an era of rising prices, computers have gotten cheaper. (And why that may end)
One thing has bucked the trend of rising prices: computing. Technological advances have underpinned a consistent drop in the cost of computers. But experts say that this may be reaching a limit.
Congo and Rwanda to sign symbolic peace deal in Washington as fighting rages
A long-awaited U.S.-brokered peace deal between DR Congo and Rwanda will be signed in Washington on Thursday — but the reality on the ground tells a different story.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
Trade tensions hang over Trump’s Asia trip, but he still aims to make a deal
President Trump plans to attend a summit in Malaysia before meeting the new Japanese prime minister in Tokyo and talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Korea.
Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, as the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener Friday night in Toronto.
U.S. sends aircraft carrier to South America in major escalation of military firepower
The deployment and the quickening pace of U.S. strikes, including one Friday, raised new speculation about how far the Trump administration may go in operations it says are targeted at drug trafficking.
DOJ hires immigration judges after months of layoffs
Judges will soon take the bench across 16 states, the Justice Department said. These include courts that saw the biggest losses of judges this year.
Pakistan bans hard-line Islamist party known for its fierce anti-blasphemy stance
Pakistan banned a hard-line Islamist party on Thursday, more than a week after heated clashes with police that left at least five people dead.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Colombia’s president and family over drug trade allegations
The sanctions sharply escalate tensions with the leftist leader of a country that has traditionally been one of the closest U.S. allies in South America.
