NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 10:54 AM

The World's Largest River is Running Low (Encore)

The region drained by the Amazon River, including the Amazon Rainforest, is in the second year of a punishing drought. That has lead to the lowest water levels in more than 100 years for the Amazon and its major tributaries. Millions of people and an array of wildlife depend on those quickly disappearing waters. In a story we first brought you in October, we travel to the region to see the effects. Support our non-profit journalism by joining NPR+

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 10:30 AM

Congressional lawmakers almost got a pay bump this year. Then it crashed and burned

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill haven't had a pay increase since 2009, representing a 31% decline in their salary when adjusted for inflation.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 10:01 AM

A health care provider that faced dozens of prisoner lawsuits is filing for bankruptcy

Wellpath, a health care provider for hospitals, prisons and jails, has been dogged by wrongful death and medical negligence suits. What happens to those cases now that it has filed for bankruptcy?

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 10:00 AM

For homeless seniors, finding stable housing takes a village — and a lot of luck

The number of unhoused seniors is expected to triple by 2030. As rents rise, it becomes tougher to find affordable housing that's accessible for those with medical conditions and disabilities.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 10:00 AM

A wild year in politics, by the numbers

From the election results to the the charges against President-elect Donald Trump, here are the numbers that defined 2024 in politics.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 9:49 AM

At the end of 1999, many thought Y2K would cause the world to collapse

At the end of 1999, there was anxiety about a potential computer glitch known as Y2K. Some thought the world would crumble, including some who waited out the apocalypse in an old house in the woods.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 9:43 AM

Protests in Georgia continue as demonstrators rally in support for joining the EU

On the eastern edge of the Black Sea, the Georgian president is refusing to step down, as demonstrations have gone on for weeks in support of Georgia joining the European Union.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 8:39 AM

South Korea's opposition-controlled parliament votes to impeach acting president

The impeachments of the country's president and then acting-president worsen the nation's political turmoil, deepen its economic uncertainty and hurt its international image.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 6:20 AM

Finland detains Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea

Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia that Finnish customs officials and the European Union's executive commission describe as part of Russia's shadow fleet of fuel tankers.

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NPR NewsDec 27, 2024, 4:46 AM

Richard Parsons, who steadied Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76

Parsons, one of corporate America's most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:14 PM

Biden is expected to announce new asylum rules for migrants at the border

President Biden is expected to issue an executive order Tuesday that would greatly reduce the number of asylum-seekers allowed into the country.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 9:36 PM

French authorities indict Telegram founder Pavel Durov on multiple charges

Charges against the CEO of Telegram mark one of the few instances where the head of a major internet platform has been charged over alleged criminal failure to moderate what users do on its site.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 9:13 PM

The 'Beyoncé Bowl' halftime show was a massive hit for Netflix. The football was too

Netflix says more than 200 countries tuned into the "Beyoncé Bowl" and its two NFL games. We may just be starting to learn what that ultimately means for the future of television and sports media.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 8:41 PM

Bird flu has killed 20 big cats including cougars at a U.S. wildlife sanctuary

The sanctuary in Washington state said it was working with officials to determine the cause of the outbreak, which has killed over half of its cats in recent weeks.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 8:04 PM

Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen's capital. WHO chief says he was nearby

A round of Israeli airstrikes targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports. The head of the World Health Organization said the bombardment occurred as he prepared to board a flight.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 5:59 PM

Giving a kidney to a stranger? Researchers call it 'extraordinary altruism'

Only about 300 to 400 people a year give a kidney to someone they never met. It's an act of generosity so unusual, a neuroscientist studies the people who do this.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 5:53 PM

Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, has died

Singh was known as the father of economic reforms in India. He served as finance minister in the early 1990s, and his policies then set India on the path of economic liberalization and globalization.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 5:35 PM

Investigation begins into the cause of the Azerbaijan Airlines crash

Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 3:48 PM

Photos: Fishermen, known as 'Sea Nomads,' dive to protect ocean life in Madagascar

They make their living off the sea, but their catch is dwindling. So these traditional fisherfolk are taking steps to preserve both sea life — and their livelihood.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 2:14 PM

Mourners mark 20 years since Indian Ocean tsunami that killed some 230,000 people

Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the catastrophic event was the deadliest tsunami in recorded history.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 1:08 PM

Honda and Nissan consider a merger. And, Russia's Christmas Day attack in Ukraine

Honda and Nissan are in talks over a merger as the auto industry sees two seismic changes. And, Russia violently attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 1:00 PM

How to navigate gift returns and regifting this holiday season

Etiquette experts weigh in on what to do with that ugly sweater you got for the holidays.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 12:46 PM

Here are some of the NPR stories that had a big impact in 2024

From learning a new skill to prompting federal legislation, here are some of the ways people's lives were affected by the NPR Network's journalism this year.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 11:06 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:00 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:00 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:00 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:00 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 26, 2024, 10:00 AM

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.

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NPR NewsDec 25, 2024, 11:50 PM

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.

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