News

Israeli strike kills 5 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, officials say

An Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, according to the Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it had targeted a group of militants.

Minn. Democratic party chair says his wins could help nationally after loss to Trump

Ken Martin helped turn around the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's finances and secure a streak of statewide wins for the party over 18 years. Now, he wants to do the same thing for the Democratic National Committee.

Popeye, Tintin and more will enter the public domain in the new year

The copyrights of thousands of 20th-century films, books, compositions and sound recordings expire on Jan. 1, making them free for anyone to share and adapt. Here are some of the highlights.

Remembering the actors, musicians, writers and artists we lost in 2024

Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.

Giving up alcohol for Dry January? Our newsletter can help you reach your goal

If your New Year's resolution is to drink less alcohol, Life Kit is here to help. Sign up for our Dry January newsletter series, and get tips and strategies to help you stay alcohol-free for a month.

100-plus cities in the U.S. banned homeless camping this year. But will it work?

The burst of new laws follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling, and reflects public frustration with record-high homelessness. But advocates say fines and jail time will only make the problem worse.

Snowboarder’s death in Swiss Alps avalanche is a reminder that even pros face risk

The death of an Olympic snowboarding athlete is a reminder that even the most skilled and experienced athletes are not immune to the threat of avalanches, and that knowledge is key to staying safe.

Scientists await signal from spacecraft after historic close encounter with the sun

To get so close, the Parker Solar Probe had to withstand the sun's extreme heat and radiation like no spacecraft before it.

Mega Millions jackpot surges past $1 billion

The Mega Millions prize has now grown to an estimated $1.15 billion, which could be the fifth-largest jackpot in the game's history.

Pope urges ‘all people of all nations’ to silence arms in Christmas address

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message urged "all people of all nations" to find courage "to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions" plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.

A gang attack on a Haitian hospital reopening kills 2 reporters and a police officer

Street gangs forced the General Hospital in Port-au-Prince to close earlier this year. As journalists gathered to cover its reopening, suspected gang members opened fire.

Far from the front lines, Ukrainians fight a war to preserve their culture

In the Transcarpathia region, some locals embrace a traditional lifestyle and cultural identity. After surviving Soviet threats, now they fear President Vladimir Putin seeks to erase their culture.

Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day

Russia's massive missile and drone barrage struck a thermal power plant and prompted Ukrainians to shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.

When kindness becomes a habit, it improves our health

Whether it's volunteering at a local school or taking soup to a sick neighbor, improving the welfare of others can also improve our own physical and mental health, a sizable body of research shows.

‘The Bachelor,’ Ukraine edition, features a veteran who lost both legs in the war

He wants to give hope to the tens of thousands of Ukrainians who have lost limbs since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Want government money for a heat pump? Time might be running out

The Biden administration introduced new consumer tax credits for climate-friendly heat pumps. What does a Trump administration and GOP-led congress mean for that money?

Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet crashes in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau

An Azerbaijani airliner has crashed in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau with 30 people likely dead and at least 28 survivors, according to Kazakhstan's Emergency Ministry.

Richard Perry, record producer behind ‘You’re So Vain’ and other hits, dies at 82

A recipient of a Grammys Trustee Award in 2015, Richard Perry died at a Los Angeles hospital on Tuesday. Perry was a hitmaking record producer with a flair for both standards and contemporary sounds.

The Assad regime’s fall has freed displaced Syrians stuck in a remote desert camp

More than 7,000 people had taken shelter in the Rukban camp, near the border with Jordan, many of whom fled the regime and ISIS attacks almost a decade ago.

Starbucks baristas’ ‘strike before Christmas’ has reached hundreds of U.S. stores

Starbucks' union says workers are walking off the job at some 300 — out of over 10,000 — stores across the U.S. as contract negotiations falter. The company urges it to return to the bargaining table.

American Airlines lifts ground stop that froze Christmas Eve travelers

American Airlines passengers across the U.S. endured a sudden disruption of service on Christmas Eve as a "technical issue" forced the airline to request a nationwide ground stop of its operations.

An Indian movie, loved abroad, is snubbed at home for Oscar submission

All We Imagine as Light explores the lives of working-class women in Mumbai and won the Grand Prix at Cannes. But it was deemed not Indian enough to submit to the Oscars. 

Inside a secret Ukrainian drone command post, where Russian soldiers are seen as prey

NPR visits a secret drone command center near the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where crews are using remote-controlled aircraft to hunt Russian soldiers on the battlefield.

2024 will be the hottest year on record, even hotter than expected

It's looking like 2024 will be the hottest year since record-keeping began, unseating 2023 for the top spot. Climate change is playing a role, and scientists say it was even hotter than expected.

Here are two seismic changes pushing Honda and Nissan into merger talks

The two major Japanese automakers are discussing a merger. Here is what to know, from the reasons why they are doing this to how it could impact you.

How to protect yourself from AI scams this holiday season

Generative AI is making it easier for fraudsters to dupe people, now more than ever. Protect yourself from scams this holiday season with these five tips.

In a year of tough news, these are some of the stories that made us smile in 2024

Whether we were paying attention or not, 2024 was filled with good news. In case you weren't, NPR's member stations have been keeping track. Here are some of the stories that made us smile this year.

Drug lord is deported to Colombia and walks free after 20 years in U.S. prisons

Fabio Ochoa, one of Colombia's legendary drug lords and a key operator of the Medellin cartel, has been deported back to the South American country, where he has walked free.

Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says

The 78-year-old former president was hospitalized "for testing and observation" after developing a fever, his deputy chief of staff said in a statement.

Walmart illegally opened delivery drivers’ deposit accounts, U.S. says

Lawsuit alleges Walmart and the payments platform Branch Messenger cost delivery drivers millions of dollars in fees, opening deposit accounts without consent and requiring their use to get paid.

Forget what you think you know about fruitcake

For generations of Americans, making fun of fruitcake has been a holiday tradition. But a Canadian pastry chef and master food preserver would like us to reconsider our assumptions.

The Container Store files for bankruptcy, vows to keep stores operating as normal

The Container Store said its 102 locations and website will continue to operate as normal during the bankruptcy process.