Accessibility links
News: U.S. and World News Headlines NPR news, audio, and podcasts. Coverage of breaking stories, national and world news, politics, business, science, technology, and extended coverage of major national and world events.

News

Friday

Messages of hope and support cover a wall beside a Venezuelan flag at MetaBox Cargo in Katy, Texas, on Thursday.

Messages of hope and support cover a wall beside a Venezuelan flag at MetaBox Cargo in Katy, Texas, on Thursday. Lucio Vasquez/The Texas Newsroom hide caption

toggle caption
Lucio Vasquez/The Texas Newsroom

National

'We are with you, Venezuela': Houston community rallies after deadly earthquakes

Venezuelans living in the U.S organize donation drives in response to the devastating earthquakes.

'We are with you, Venezuela': Houston community rallies after deadly earthquakes

Audio will be available later today.
Former National Park Ranger Melissa Dalley, 49, seen here holding a microphone in front of a crowd, speaks during the America 433+ teach-in at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park on June 19, 2026.

Former National Park Ranger Melissa Dalley, 49, speaks during the America 433+ teach-in at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park on June 19. KT Kanazawich for NPR hide caption

toggle caption
KT Kanazawich for NPR

National

Trump axed a Black history exhibit. Former park rangers are teaching it anyway.

As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, former national park rangers are hosting teach-ins and sharing history that the Trump administration has sought to erase from federal land.

An employee standing with his back to the camera looks at multiple hurricane models displayed on large screens at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center in Miami on May 30, 2025.

An employee looks at multiple hurricane models displayed on monitors at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center in Miami on May 30, 2025. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Climate

Ex-NOAA employees re-create a valuable climate data site shut down by Trump

Former NOAA staffers have launched a new website that provides climate information. It replaces a government site that was shut down when the Trump administration took office.

A planet of deep and medium swirling pinks sits in the foreground filling the left side of the illustration over a black background. In the top right corner a comparably small star shines bright.

If humans could travel to this giant planet, we would see a world still glowing from the heat of its formation with a color reminiscent of a dark cherry blossom, a dull magenta. NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/S. Wiessinger hide caption

toggle caption
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/S. Wiessinger

Short Wave

Salty Clouds aren’t the only strange thing about this object in space

There’s an object in space 25 times the size of Jupiter that’s stumped scientists for years. They haven’t been able to figure out if it’s a planet or a failed star. But scientists are one step closer to an answer thanks to the powerful James Webb Space Telescope. After analyzing data collected by the telescope, astronomers have uncovered unexpected new clues floating light years away from us: Salty clouds sitting in space as hot as some home ovens. And if this mystery isn’t enough, we have more to look forward to in this episode, including insights into the evolution of laughter and the burials of ancient human relatives. 

Salty Clouds aren’t the only strange thing about this object in space

Listen · 9:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5871273/nx-s1-mx-5871273-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Residents walk among the rubble of building damaged in earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela

Residents walk among the rubble of building damaged in earthquakes the previous day in Catia La Mar, Venezuela Pedro Mattey/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Pedro Mattey/AP

The Americas

Venezuela reels from earthquakes as rescuers scramble to find survivors

As Venezuela begins counting the cost of its deadliest quake disaster in over a century, a shattered economy and struggling health system threaten to slow recovery efforts.

Venezuela reels from earthquakes as rescuers scramble to find survivors

Audio will be available later today.
The U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument are reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Washington.

The U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument are reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Washington. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Kaster/AP

National

Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says

A top official at the National Park Service says a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, causing damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project.

Britain's King Charles III salutes the troops outside Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the King's annual birthday parade, in London, Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Britain's King Charles III salutes the troops outside Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the King's annual birthday parade, in London, Saturday, June 13, 2026. Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

World

King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after its costly refurbishment

The decision was announced Thursday during a briefing on royal finances at which Charles became the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he paid to the government.

Thursday

Earthquakes cause devastation in Venezuela

Rescuers work in the debris of a collapsed building in the Los Palos Grandes neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela on June 25, 2026 after earthquakes hit. Edilzon Gamez/Getty hide caption

toggle caption
Edilzon Gamez/Getty

State of the World from NPR

Earthquakes cause devastation in Venezuela

Earthquakes have caused vast damage in Venezuela, catching residents by surprise in a place not accustomed to temblors. A state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela— a nation that was politically and economically fragile before this natural disaster hit. Rescue workers are searching buildings for survivors as help begins to arrive from nearby countries. We hear from people there and from scientists who say there are some unusual features about this event.

Earthquakes cause devastation in Venezuela

Listen · 6:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5871331/nx-s1-mx-5871331-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
People and rescuers work on the debris of a collapsed building in Caracas after a pair of strong earthquakes struck Venezuela.

People and rescuers work on the debris of a collapsed building in Caracas after a pair of strong earthquakes struck Venezuela. Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images

Science

What made the deadly Venezuelan earthquakes different

It appears the two big earthquakes in Venezuela that occurred in rapid succession may have involved two separate fault lines. Several faults intersect in this tectonically complex region.

What made the deadly Venezuela earthquakes different

Listen · 2:32
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5870557/nx-s1-9825469" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Judge blocks Postal Service proposal to restrict mail-in voting under Trump's order

A judge has blocked the U.S. Postal Service's proposals responding to President Trump's order, including not delivering ballots in states that don't turn over voter lists to the federal government.

Judge blocks Postal Service proposal to restrict mail-in voting under Trump’s order

Listen · 1:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5869755/nx-s1-9824537" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript