A fire in southwestern Japan damages 170 homes and forces evacuations Firefighters and army helicopters battled a fire that burned through old wooden houses in a fishing town in southwestern Japan. The Associated Press
How Kash Patel is roiling the FBI and changing its mission New Yorker writer Marc Fisher says Patel became FBI director without senior law enforcement experience because of his loyalty to Trump and willingness to seek retribution for his perceived enemies. Terry Gross
Greetings from Yimianpo, China, where artisans carve Russian nesting dolls Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world. John Ruwitch
As a labor force, artists are 'invisible.' A new survey tries to change that 'Struggling artists' isn't a trope, according to a new report. The survey asked more than 2,600 artists about everything from hours worked to housing. Elizabeth Blair
Your favorite late night hot dog spot may need a permit Sometimes, a hot dog isn’t just a hot dog. King County Public Health says the number of unpermitted food carts is going up, with no signs of slowing down. Seattle Times Food Writer Jackie Varriano is here to tell us why. Patricia Murphy
World Toilet Day is today! Um ... is that really the best name? Nov. 19 is World Toilet Day — officially declared by the United Nations to bring attention to the 3.4 billion people who live without "safely managed sanitation." Marc Silver
Student escapes as authorities search for 24 other girls abducted in Nigeria A schoolgirl who was abducted with 24 others from a dormitory in northwestern Nigeria has escaped and is safe, as hunters joined security forces in the search for the missing students. The Associated Press
Flu season could be nasty this winter With a new flu virus variant circulating, scientists fear more sickness this winter. The vaccine may be slightly less effective but doctors still urge getting one ASAP. Rob Stein
3 massive changes you'll see as the climate careens toward tipping points Scientists are increasingly concerned that the planet is headed for massive, irreversible changes due to global warming. In some cases, those changes have already begun. Lauren Sommer
Friendsgiving 101: A history of the made-up holiday and how to celebrate it The word's definition may be obvious, but Friendsgiving can mean different things to different people. Here are expert tips for how to celebrate it. Rachel Treisman
