Meet five new species discovered in 2025

A bumpy snailfish, Andean mouse opossum and ancient sea cow were just some of the many species described in 2025.
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A bumpy snailfish, Andean mouse opossum and ancient sea cow were just some of the many species described in 2025.
(Image credit: Alex Boersma)
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Shirley is a 23-year-old self-described "independent YouTube journalist" who made prank videos in high school before pivoting to politics. He participated in a White House roundtable in October.
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Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
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The flu is spreading rapidly across the U.S. this season, and it is expected to get worse. And, protests have erupted across Iran over the country's troubled economy.
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Kutia is a sweet, warm porridge of pearled barley mixed with berries, nuts and stewed dried fruit. It's a staple at Ukrainian Christmas tables.'/>
For many people from former Soviet countries, New Year's is a big holiday feast time. A Ukrainian restaurant in Washington gives NPR a taste of what's on the menu.
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When it comes to serious mental illness, family caregivers are crucial partners. But often, they must fend for themselves. A new solution offers them support.
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Tariffs, inflation, and other federal policies have battered U.S. farmers' bottom lines. Now many farmers say the expiration of federal health care subsidies will make their coverage unaffordable.
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One of the earliest mentions of New Year's resolutions appeared in a Boston newspaper in 1813. But the practice itself can be traced back to the Babylonians.
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At a neighborhood park, a young boy noticed Natalie's young foster daughter using a walker. His reaction left Natalie with an unexpected feeling of hope for the future.
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Experts say Biden's focus on addiction health care saved tens of thousands of lives and slowed fentanyl smuggling. Trump scrapped Biden's approach in favor of military strikes.
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Trump says the U.S. military conducted a strike on a Venezuelan dock he claims was used by drug smugglers, protests over economy flood Iran, flu cases in the U.S are on the rise, CDC data shows.
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Nearly a year after a New Year's Day truck attack on Bourbon Street left 14 dead, New Orleans officials are still seeking permanent security solutions.
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The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels. That's according to two people familiar with details of the operation.
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The Kennedy Center is ending the year with a new round of artists saying they are canceling scheduled performances after President Donald Trump's name was added to the facility.
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President Trump's administration announced that it's freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years.
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Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.
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The order is the latest in a complex legal battle over the fate of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a watchdog agency.
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The Trump administration's deep cuts in U.S. foreign health aid had a devastating impact. Yet there were achievements of note in spite of it all.
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Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla, targeting a shipment of weapons from the United Arab Emirates for separatist forces. The UAE later said it would withdraw its forces from Yemen.
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J.S. Park helps patients and their families cope with death every day as a hospital chaplain. He explains what to expect as a person is dying, and how to reckon with uncomfortable feelings about death.
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Israel accused Doctors Without Borders, one of the largest health organizations operating in Gaza, of failing to clarify the roles of some staff that Israel accused of cooperation with militants.
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Conditions are dire for people in Gaza as President Trump and Israel's prime minister discuss the next phase of the ceasefire deal. And, Russia accuses Ukraine of an attempted drone strike.
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China's People's Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It's unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls "Justice Mission 2025."
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Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.
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The Legal Accountability Project complaint, which has not been previously reported, states that it is based on conversations with multiple former law clerks.
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A three-generation family in Maine set up a camera to capture their deer-feeding station. Thousands watch online as hundreds of white-tailed deer enjoy the food at Brownville's Food Pantry for Deer.
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The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.
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We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
(Image credit: Clockwise from top left: Danielle Villasanal; Viraj Nayar for NPR; Joanne Cavanaugh Simpson for NPR; Ben de la Cruz/NPR)
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday the United States is offering his country security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan.
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Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled momentum on peace talks after a meeting yesterday. And, anti-poverty groups address challenges they are facing that impact Americans who need help.
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