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A Paraguayan woman whose relative was detained by federal agents scuffles with officers in the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on in New York City in July 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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A Paraguayan woman whose relative was detained by federal agents scuffles with officers in the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on in New York City in July 2025.

A Paraguayan woman whose relative was detained by federal agents scuffles with officers in the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on in New York City in July 2025. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Immigration

An NPR analysis shows a skyrocketing number of 'no-shows' in immigration court

More immigrants are not showing up for their mandatory immigration court hearings compared to prior years, an NPR analysis shows, allowing the government to order their immediate deportation.

NPR analysis shows skyrocketing number of ‘no-shows’ in immigration court

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President Trump has spent the past year actively favoring some U.S. companies and investors, while threatening others. Pool/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images North America
President Trump has spent the past year actively favoring some U.S. companies and investors, while threatening others.

President Trump has spent the past year actively favoring some U.S. companies and investors, while threatening others. Pool/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Pool/Getty Images North America

Business

How Trump's 'crony capitalism' has shaken up U.S. business

His policies are picking winners and losers — and blurring the lines between business and government.

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GIVĒON treats performance as therapy, pouring out his heart like a bottle of wine. The R&B singer treats us to ballads and anthems of heartache, backed by strings and horns.
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Sixpence None the Richer: Tiny Desk Concert
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GIVĒON: Tiny Desk Concert

GIVĒON treats performance as therapy, pouring out his heart like a bottle of wine. The R&B singer treats us to ballads and anthems of heartache, backed by strings and horns.

Wind turbines operate in July at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Wind turbines operate in July at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts.

Wind turbines operate in July at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Climate

The Trump administration pauses wind projects off New England, New York and Virginia

An Interior Department statement did not detail the national security risks. It's the administration's latest push to hobble offshore wind and limit renewable energy sources.

Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, a palliative care doctor at Dell Seton Medical Center, holds a Willie Nelson album in an office on December 9, 2025. Ferguson said patients have been increasingly requesting country music and they had to source that genre specifically. Lorianne Willett/KUT News hide caption

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Lorianne Willett/KUT News
Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, a palliative care doctor at Dell Seton Medical Center, holds a Willie Nelson album in an office on December 9, 2025. Ferguson said patients have been increasingly requesting country music and they had to source that genre specifically.

Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, a palliative care doctor at Dell Seton Medical Center, holds a Willie Nelson album in an office on December 9, 2025. Ferguson said patients have been increasingly requesting country music and they had to source that genre specifically. Lorianne Willett/KUT News hide caption

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Lorianne Willett/KUT News

National

'Music makes everything better': A Texas doctor spins vinyl to give patients relief

A palliative care doctor in Austin says listening to vinyl music can lift heavy moments for families and patients receiving end-of-life care.
Ralph Fiennes as Henry Guthrie in The Choral.

Ralph Fiennes as Henry Guthrie in The Choral. Nicola Dove/Sony Pictures Classics hide caption

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Movie Interviews

A prickly Ralph Fiennes uplifts a town through music during WWI in 'The Choral'

A northern English town loses its best choral singers to fighting in World War I but finds new hope in a time of loss through music in Nicholas Hytner's new film "The Choral," featuring Ralph Fiennes.

In 'The Choral,' music helps a small town finds hope in the midst of loss

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Oona Zenda/KFF Health News
HHH Story 3 Sketch 5
Oona Zenda/KFF Health News

Health Care Helpline

Some patients face hurdles getting HIV prevention drugs. Here's what to know

 KFF Health News

A daily preventive pill can be invaluable for people at risk for HIV. But some doctors don't know much about prescribing them. And billing headaches are common. Here's how to overcome those hurdles.

Some patients face hurdles getting HIV prevention drugs. Here's what to know

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From left: Mahri Stainnak, who was fired from the federal government; Caleb Strickland, 4, who is waiting for a heart transplant; and a federal agents patrolling the halls of immigration court in New York City.

From left: Mahri Stainnak, who was fired from the federal government; Caleb Strickland, 4, who is waiting for a heart transplant; and a federal agents patrolling the halls of immigration court in New York City. Tristan Spinski for NPR; Elissa Nadworny/NPR; Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Tristan Spinski for NPR; Elissa Nadworny/NPR; Spencer Platt/Getty Images

National

Here are some of the NPR stories that had a big impact in 2025

A sampling of the stories NPR staff believe made some of the deepest ripples this year — reminders of what rigorous, compassionate journalism can do, and why the work remains as urgent as ever.

Elon Musk holds a chainsaw reading "Long live freedom, damn it" during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on February 20, 2025. The chainsaw was a present to Elon Musk from Argentina's President Javier Milei. SAUL LOEB/AFP hide caption

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SAUL LOEB/AFP
Elon Musk holds a chainsaw reading "Long live freedom, damn it" during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on February 20, 2025. The chainsaw was a present to Elon Musk from Argentina's President Javier Milei.

Elon Musk holds a chainsaw reading "Long live freedom, damn it" during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on February 20, 2025. The chainsaw was a present to Elon Musk from Argentina's President Javier Milei. SAUL LOEB/AFP hide caption

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SAUL LOEB/AFP

Politics

The DOGE mindset is still central to the Trump administration's agenda as 2025 ends

The Department of Government Efficiency effort was one of the most consequential and controversial — if not entirely successful — changes the Trump administration made in 2025.

Erika Kirk at Turning Point's AmericaFest in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 18. Nick Sanchez/KJZZ hide caption

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Nick Sanchez/KJZZ
Erika Kirk at Turning Point's AmericaFest in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 18.

Erika Kirk at Turning Point's AmericaFest in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 18. Nick Sanchez/KJZZ hide caption

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Nick Sanchez/KJZZ

AmericaFest crowd credits Erika Kirk for drawing more women to Turning Point USA

 KJZZ News

Attendees of Turning Point USA's conference in Phoenix say the organization is back stronger — and resonating with women — following co-founder Charlie Kirk's assassination.

President Trump walks to speak with reporters while departing the White House on Friday. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
President Trump walks to speak with reporters while departing the White House on Friday.

President Trump walks to speak with reporters while departing the White House on Friday. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The Americas

U.S. forces stop a 2nd merchant vessel off the Venezuela coast, officials say

U.S. forces stopped a vessel off the coast of Venezuela for the second time in less than two weeks as President Trump continues to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Irma Thomas; Big Freedia; Tarriona "Tank" Ball Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence hide caption

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Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence
Irma Thomas; Big Freedia; Tarriona "Tank" Ball

Irma Thomas; Big Freedia; Tarriona "Tank" Ball Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence hide caption

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Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence

Religion

New Orleans musicians share their favorite Christmas songs, from bounce to blues

Rosemary Westwood from member station WWNO asked a few of New Orlean's favorite musicians about the songs they like to listen to around Christmas.

New Orleans musicians share their favorite Christmas songs, from bounce to blues

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A man carries a child in his Kashmiri pheran (a traditional attire) amid snowfall in Srinagar on February 27, 2025. Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/via Getty Images hide caption

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A man carries a child in his Kashmiri pheran (a traditional attire) amid snowfall in Srinagar on February 27, 2025.

A man carries a child in his Kashmiri pheran (a traditional attire) amid snowfall in Srinagar on February 27, 2025. Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/via Getty Images hide caption

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Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

On winter's coldest days, this classic Kashmiri coat offers warmth — and wisdom

In Kashmir, December 21 is said to mark the start of the 40 harshest days of winter. A woolen robe called a pheran is key to keeping warm — and a reminder of how to face and overcome hardships.

In Cartagena's Old City, horse-drawn buggies still clip-clop over colonial streets — but not for much longer. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In Cartagena’s Old City, horse-drawn buggies still clip-clop over colonial streets — but not for much longer.

In Cartagena's Old City, horse-drawn buggies still clip-clop over colonial streets — but not for much longer. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

The Americas

Cartagena's iconic horse carriages give way to electric buggies

Cartagena, Colombia, is set to ban its iconic horse-drawn carriages, replacing them with electric buggies — a move dividing the historic city over tradition, tourism, and animal welfare.

Cartagena’s iconic horse carriages give way to electric buggies

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Reporter Elamin Babow reads the latest headlines in Radio Dabanga's office in Amsterdam on Oct. 16. The station is a lifeline for Sudanese people trying to get information about their war-torn country.

Reporter Elamin Babow reads the latest headlines in Radio Dabanga's office in Amsterdam on Oct. 16. The station is a lifeline for Sudanese people trying to get information about their war-torn country. Indy Scholtens for NPR hide caption

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Indy Scholtens for NPR

World

A radio station in Amsterdam is a lifeline for Sudan. After USAID cuts, it's faltering

Budget cuts threaten the future of Amsterdam-based Radio Dabanga, which has served as an information lifeline for Sudanese people about their war-torn country.

Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen in New York, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File) Patrick Sison/AP hide caption

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Patrick Sison/AP
Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen in New York, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

Pages from the U.S. Affordable Care Act health insurance website healthcare.gov are seen on a computer screen in New York, Aug. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File) Patrick Sison/AP hide caption

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Patrick Sison/AP

Shots - Health News

Shopping for pricy ACA health plans? Some cheaper options come with trade-offs

 KFF Health News

Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.

Cesium beam clocks (left) and hydrogen masers are among the types of atomic clocks used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to determine official U.S. time. J. Sherman, R. Jacobson/National Institute of Standards and Technology hide caption

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J. Sherman, R. Jacobson/National Institute of Standards and Technology
Cesium beam clocks (left) and hydrogen masers are among the types of atomic clocks used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to determine official U.S. time.

Cesium beam clocks (left) and hydrogen masers are among the types of atomic clocks used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to determine official U.S. time. J. Sherman, R. Jacobson/National Institute of Standards and Technology hide caption

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J. Sherman, R. Jacobson/National Institute of Standards and Technology

Science

How a power outage in Colorado caused U.S. official time to be 4.8 microseconds off

Officials said the error is likely too minute for the general public to clock it, but it could affect applications such as critical infrastructure, telecommunications and GPS signals.

Bowen Yang is leaving Saturday Night Live midway through his 8th season with the long-running, late-night comedy sketch series. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images hide caption

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Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Bowen Yang is leaving Saturday Night Live midway through his 8th season with the long-running, late-night comedy sketch series.

Bowen Yang is leaving Saturday Night Live midway through his 8th season with the long-running, late-night comedy sketch series. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images hide caption

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Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Culture

Bowen Yang leaves 'SNL' midway through his 8th season

The comedian appeared in his final show on Saturday, alongside Wicked star Ariana Grande.

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, on Saturday. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption

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Gregorio Borgia/AP
Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, on Saturday.

Pope Leo XIV greets faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the last Jubilee audience, at the Vatican, on Saturday. Gregorio Borgia/AP hide caption

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Gregorio Borgia/AP

Religion

Pope Leo summons cardinals for a key assembly to help him govern the Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV has summoned the world's cardinals for two days of meetings to help him govern the church, in the clearest sign yet that the new year will signal the unofficial start of his pontificate.

John Lowery, a New Carolina state representative and chairman of the Lumbee Tribe (right) is comforted by Rob Jacobs, as they join with other members of the tribe to celebrate Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., after the passage of a bill granting the tribe federal recognition. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
John Lowery, a New Carolina state representative and chairman of the Lumbee Tribe (right) is comforted by Rob Jacobs, as they join with other members of the tribe to celebrate Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., after the passage of a bill granting the tribe federal recognition.

John Lowery, a New Carolina state representative and chairman of the Lumbee Tribe (right) is comforted by Rob Jacobs, as they join with other members of the tribe to celebrate Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., after the passage of a bill granting the tribe federal recognition. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

National

North Carolina's Lumbee Tribe receives full federal recognition after 137-year effort

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has finally received full federal recognition, which it has sought since 1888. Tribal leaders were moved to tears after President Trump signed the measure.

A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

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Robert F. Bukaty/AP
A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I.

A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

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Robert F. Bukaty/AP

National

A Reddit post helped find MIT and Brown shooting suspect. Here's what we know

Details are beginning to emerge about the life of Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the gunman who killed two and injured nine others in the attack at Brown University last week. He is also believed to have killed an MIT professor on Monday, police said.
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