NPR Top Stories

Broadcast journalists work in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15. The new term begins on Monday.

The Supreme Court faces another term jam-packed with controversy

Nina Totenberg

The Supreme Court term opens on Monday with big test cases on religion, guns and climate change. Plus, the emergency docket keeps popping.

Robert Prevost is seen in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square as he attends the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26, 2025. The next month, Prevost would be elected the first American pope, becoming Pope Leo.

No one expected an American pope. Here's the inside story of how 'Bob' became Pope Leo

Scott Detrow, Daniel Burke

When the 2025 conclave began, no one expected an American pope. But by its end, Cardinal Robert Prevost had become Pope Leo. Here's a look behind the scenes.

Don't let negative thoughts or fear mess with your performance. Psychologist Cindra Kamphoff, who helps athletes and business leaders keep their confidence in high-stakes situations, offers anxiety-busting tools from her new book.

A hot tip to battle performance anxiety? 'Pretend flush' a mistake down the toilet

Lennon Sherburne, Marielle Segarra

Worried about stumbling before a high-stakes event, like a race or a job interview? Psychologist Cindra Kamphoff offers creative strategies to overcome the jitters and build confidence in the moment.

Clockwise from upper left: Marissa Pike, Tyrone Laundersville, Rasheeda McCrae and Samanthya Marlatt share their experiences in foster care.

How the system failed us: Former foster youth tell their stories

Joseph Shapiro

Former foster youth with disabilities tell their stories — of how they got through foster care

Demonstrators gathered Thursday morning to protest Trump's proposed arch, which would stand in a traffic circle on the bridge connecting the National Mall to Arlington National Cemetery.

As Trump's proposed arch looms over D.C., protesters pin their hopes on the midterms

Rachel Treisman

Democratic lawmakers, veterans and concerned citizens gathered in Memorial Circle to protest the arch Trump wants to build there. Their hopes lie primarily in a lawsuit and next month's midterms.

German Chancellor and leader of Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union Friedrich Merz leaves after a press conference one day after state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, at the CDU's headquarters in Berlin on Sept. 21.

Germany's political center fights for relevance after far-right and far-left gains

Esme Nicholson

Centrist politicians are soul-searching after electoral gains by the far right and the far left. Today's weak coalitions, political fragmentation and dire economy echo a past that led to the rise of fascism.

Demonstrators gather within the "free speech zone" near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing and detention facility on October 31, 2025, in Broadview, Ill.

Pro-Trump Influencer Benny Johnson is being sued for defamation by ICE protesters

Lisa Hagen

The lawsuit says the prominent conservative podcaster falsely claimed the protesters were assaulting ICE officers during demonstrations at an ICE facility in Illinois last year.

In December, State Department senior official Jeremy Lewin welcomed Rwanda Foreign Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe for the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding on global health cooperation.

October 1 ushered in a new era in U.S. foreign aid. What's the plan? Will it work?

Fatma Tanis

The America First strategy asks for a Memorandum of Understanding as a condition for healthcare and development aid. It's been praised for promoting self-reliance but criticized for its conditions.

Scottish mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor's debut recital album is a smartly curated collection of songs about the sea.

With a voice as vast as the ocean, Beth Taylor has arrived

Tom Huizenga

The deep-voiced Scottish mezzo-soprano just made her Royal Opera House debut. Now, with her debut solo album, The Deeps Have Music, she is on the doorstep of stardom.

Much of the documentary NAZA is filmed on the rooftops of Tel Aviv, where Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham conducted one-on-one interviews with Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel.

Cloaked in anonymity, Israeli soldiers describe mass civilian killings in 'NAZA'

Justin Chang

NAZA is an acronym for nezek agavi, Hebrew for "collateral damage." It refers to the number of civilian casualties the Israeli military deems acceptable. The documentary is made by Israeli filmmakers.