NPR

Pope Leo XIV's flight home from Spain was grounded so the king came to his aid

Leo's Iberia charter, due to take him back to Rome after a weeklong visit to Spain, was grounded by a technical problem Friday, prompting Spain's king to offer his private jet instead....

2 hours ago

Trump says U.S. military strike killed leader of Tren de Aragua gang

President Trump said Friday that a U.S. strike has killed Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, whom he called "the infamous leader" of the Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela....

3 hours ago

Gene Shalit, longtime 'Today' show movie critic, dies at 100

Known for his puffy hair, oversized handlebar mustache and a love for puns, Gene Shalit joined Today in 1970 and became arts editor in 1973. He was a middle-of-the-road critic, known for his wit and i...

6 hours ago

Trump's name is poised to be removed from the Kennedy Center

A judge rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to President Trump from the building. The institution appealed, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday even...

6 hours ago

Paramount-Warner Brothers merger gets Justice Department approval

The Justice Department closed its investigation into the proposed $110 billion merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery, saying it found no threat to competition or consumers....

7 hours ago

Justice Dept. approves Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery

The decision paves the way for a proposed $110 billion merger uniting two rival studio giants — Paramount, owner of CBS, and the much larger Warner, which includes HBO and CNN....

8 hours ago

A Trump push to cut 'statistical noise' could mean less data from the Census Bureau

New public data for redistricting and other uses may be reduced as Trump officials limit the ways the Census Bureau can protect people's privacy when it releases statistics....

9 hours ago

Trump says he has canceled planned strikes on Iran and peace deal is near — again

President Trump has canceled planned strikes in Iran, claiming, once again, that a peace deal is near. This is just the latest salvo in a series of whiplash proclamations when it comes to the U.S.-Isr...

10 hours ago

What would it take to stop women from bleeding to death after childbirth?

A newly published series of reports calls attention to a dire situation facing millions of women after childbirth — and the solutions that can prevent death from postpartum hemorrhage....

12 hours ago

To read more this summer, stop waiting for the perfect moment

So you want to ignite a reading habit this summer. How do you get back into the groove? We talk to reading enthusiasts for their best tricks — like allowing yourself to read wherever, whenever....

12 hours ago

China arrests a U.S. scholar with a history of Myanmar activism, suspected of spying

China's government said Min Zin, who heads a think tank focused on Myanmar, was detained on suspicion of engaging in "espionage and endangering Chinese national security."...

14 hours ago

A key U.S. spy tool is set to lapse on Friday — now what?

The government says more than 60% of the president's daily intelligence briefing relies on information collected under a tool known as FISA Section 702. But Congress has struggled to renew it....

16 hours ago

It's SpaceX's first day on the stock market

The initial public offering from the rocket and AI company raised some $75 billion, making the company one of the biggest in the world — and likely making Elon Musk a trillionaire....

17 hours ago

Canada is ready to become a soccer nation as it hosts World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina

The World Cup is drawing attention to soccer's growing popularity in Canada. Soccer has surpassed hockey and all other sports in youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canad...

18 hours ago

Trump cancels further Iran strikes. And, U.S. men's soccer takes on Paraguay

Trump canceled new Iran strikes and signaled that a peace deal could come soon, but Iran says it hasn't been finalized. And, the U.S. men's soccer team plays its first 2026 World Cup match today....

20 hours ago

Trump now says a peace deal will be announced 'soon,' cancels further strikes

President Trump had previously been amping up his rhetoric against Iran....

1 day ago

Trump names Jay Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence

The announcement follows Trump's decision to nominate an ally and political attack dog to serve as acting director. The pick sparked a backlash that doomed efforts to renew a key intelligence tool....

1 day ago

Ebola testing has improved in DRC, but still isn't nearly enough

The DRC has improved testing capacity for Ebola, with two facilities operating in or near the epicenter. But this still may not be enough to keep up with a rapidly expanding disease....

1 day ago

Socioeconomic factors are becoming 'biologically embedded' in children's brains

A study of more than 2,300 9- to 10-year-olds found that socioeconomic factors explained most differences in the preteens' brain development....

1 day ago

White House response to hantavirus and Ebola contrasts with COVID criticisms

The administration imposed mandatory quarantine orders on two passengers from the cruise ship hit by hantavirus and is blocking Americans who catch Ebola from returning home for treatment....

1 day ago

Taiwan opposition leader says Xi meeting avoided 'reunification' talk

Cheng's comments come as Taiwan awaits approval on a $14 billion arms package from the U.S., and as uncertainty lingers over Washington's long-term commitment to the island's defense....

1 day ago

Japan reactor restart sparks fresh fears over nuclear waste storage

The reboot highlights a dire problem for the country's nuclear program. Japan is running out of space to store spent nuclear fuel and lacks plans for radioactive waste disposal....

1 day ago

Greetings from a Seoul museum, where Buddhist masterpieces offer calm away from city bustle

The National Museum of Korea is home to the Room of Quiet Contemplation, which features two of South Korea's most treasured artworks: gilt-bronze bodhisattva statues from the 6th and 7th centuries....

1 day ago

U.S. launches second day of Iran strikes. And, World Cup facts to know before kickoff

The U.S. launched air strikes on Iran for a second consecutive day. And, the World Cup kicks off today in Mexico City, where tensions threaten to disrupt events....

1 day ago

From neon mosquitoes to winged migrations, top images captured by scientists

Five winning images from a photo contest show scientists at work and capture the wonder of research and discovery....

1 day ago

Trump's pick for intel chief could imperil a key U.S. spy tool. Who is Bill Pulte?

Pulte's appointment has scrambled talks to renew a spy tool known as FISA 702, as lawmakers in both parties have been vocal about his lack of national security experience and role as a Trump loyalist....

1 day ago

How 'algorithm' got its name from a 9th-century Persian mathematician

In the 9th century, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Kharizmi helped solidify the concept of algorithms in mathematics and popularized algebra and the use of the zero....

1 day ago

SpaceX is poised for blastoff with an IPO likely to break records

Elon Musk's rocket company, recently merged with xAI, is aiming to raise $75 billion in its initial public stock offering. It's the first of a trio of mega-IPOs from AI companies expected this year....

1 day ago

Amnesty accuses Israel's government of 'ethnic cleansing' of West Bank Palestinians

The London-based rights group says the Israeli government is deliberately trying to annex the Palestinian territory....

2 days ago

Police blast water cannons at protesters amid unrest over stabbing in Belfast

Protesters in Northern Ireland set small fires and hurled bricks and bottles at the police during a second night of violence over a stabbing in Belfast. The incident sparked anti-immigrant violence....

2 days ago

Knicks rally from 29 points down and beat Spurs for 3-1 NBA Finals lead

The New York Knicks made a record comeback from 29 points down and moved to the brink of their first championship since 1973 by beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night....

2 days ago

FBI seizing evidence at California plant where chemical tank overheated

Federal authorities served a search warrant on Wednesday at a Southern California aerospace facility where a chemical tank overheated last month, forcing 50,000 residents to evacuate because authoriti...

2 days ago

U.S. military says it's striking 'multiple targets' in Iran in 2nd day of renewed fire

The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with President Trump warning that Tehran would "pay the price" for stalled negotiations....

2 days ago

Somali World Cup referee denied U.S. entry, hailed as hero at home

A World Cup dream denied — Somali referee Omar Artan receives a hero's welcome at home after being blocked from entering the United States and taking part in the World Cup....

2 days ago

Veterans and relatives see no place for Trump's arch near Arlington National Cemetery

Three Vietnam War veterans are suing to stop President Trump from building an arch just steps from Arlington National Cemetery, where 400,000 service members, veterans and their relatives are buried....

2 days ago

Report: ICE wasted millions, endangered detainees in largest immigration facility

Since the opening of Camp East Montana in Texas last year, immigration lawyers and rights advocates have expressed concerns about conditions inside the facility....

2 days ago

Taiwan drills with U.S. rocket system, firing in China's direction

The drill on Wednesday marked the first time the U.S.-supplied HIMARS system has been fired into the Taiwan Strait....

2 days ago

Inflation tops 4% for the first time in 3 years on spike in gasoline prices

Inflation has surged to its highest level in more than three years since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, triggering a surge in gasoline prices....

2 days ago

July 1 brings big student loan changes. Here's what you need to know

A popular (and generous) repayment plan ends, two new plans begin and many borrowers will see new loan limits....

2 days ago

U.S. and Iran exchange strikes. And, House passes ICE and Border Patrol funding

The U.S. and Iran have exchanged strikes after a helicopter was downed Monday near the Strait of Hormuz. And, House Republicans have passed a bill to fund ICE and Border Patrol through Trump's term....

2 days ago

China re‑centers North Korea ties as nuclear silence reshapes balance

Xi's silence on North Korea's nuclear program came as Kim tried to convince the world of the irreversibility of his country's status as a nuclear power....

2 days ago

ICE denies having a protester database. But a letter to Congress sheds more light

In a previously unpublicized letter to Congress, the newly-departed head of ICE said the agency collects data on people suspected of potentially unlawful activity, which could include protesters....

2 days ago

Bill Gates to appear before Congress over Epstein involvement

Gates will sit for a closed-door interview before the House Oversight Committee about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein....

2 days ago

San Francisco immigration court shuts down, striking at heart of historic advocacy

The main San Francisco court was one of the busiest in the country, hearing thousands of cases a year. It was also one of the courts most likely to grant an immigrants' asylum application....

2 days ago

The World Cup is starting. Here's what to know and how to watch

This summer, 48 men's national teams will compete in the World Cup's biggest tournament ever. Here are a few of the basics to get you started....

2 days ago

Israeli leader who pulled out of Lebanon warns against getting stuck again

Ehud Barak withdrew Israeli forces from Lebanon in 2000, ending an occupation that lasted nearly two decades. He says that was a quagmire Israel shouldn't repeat....

2 days ago

U.K. leaders call for calm as protests break out after Belfast street stabbing

U.K. leaders called for calm Tuesday after the arrest of a Sudanese man accused of trying to kill a man in a vicious stabbing on a Belfast street sparked fiery anti-immigration protests....

3 days ago

In Nevada, Trump's policies are making things tough for Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo

In one of the most competitive races for governor this year, Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford will challenge Republican Gov. Joe Lomardo for his office in November....

3 days ago

After years of declines, young students show gains in reading and math

Unscathed by pandemic-era school closures, the nation's 9-year-olds showed progress in math and reading. It's a different story for 13-year-olds, however....

3 days ago

Evette, backed by Trump, and Wilson, a Trump supporter, head to S.C. governor runoff

In South Carolina, both Republican candidates for governor are MAGA devotees, but Trump only endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, not Attorney General Alan Wilson. The two are headed to a GOP runoff....

3 days ago