Pentagon agrees to settle historic lawsuit with LGBTQ+ veterans over discharge status The Pentagon has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit involving about 35,000 LGBTQ+ veterans that will help them get benefits like health care and disability. Quil Lawrence
32 dolphins have died since an oil spill near southern Russia, experts say A dolphin rescue center said most of the dead dolphins were from the endangered Azov species. The Associated Press
Biden makes an 11th-hour move to block coastal oil drilling President Biden has issued an executive order blocking drilling for oil in more than 625 million acres of U.S. ocean. It's the largest such move in history, but is almost guaranteed to be challenged under the incoming Trump administration. Camila Domonoske
U.S. transfers 11 Yemeni prisoners from Guantánamo to Oman The Biden administration's move leaves just 15 detainees at the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Oman will help resettle the men and provide security monitoring. Sacha Pfeiffer
Hamas and Israel are negotiating the release of 34 hostages from Gaza The deal would secure release of a third of the approximately 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, including two dual U.S.-Israeli nationals. In return, Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners. Abu Bakr Bashir
Millions of public workers are set to get higher Social Security benefits. Here's why Public service workers including some teachers, firefighters, police officers may soon see their Social Security payments increase by hundreds of dollars. Juliana Kim
Under the shadow of the Jan 6. 2021 riot, Congress certifies the 2024 election Four years after the riot at the Capitol, Congress meets under heavy security and a blanket of snow to certify the 2024 election. Deirdre Walsh
We asked global thinkers how to improve life on earth in 2025. Here are their wishes What's one thing humankind can do to help heal the world? The wishes cover everything from upholding Jimmy Carter's legacy to cleaning up Mt. Everest. Readers, we'd like to hear your wishes as well. NPR Staff
Night owl or early bird? Here's how your inner clock impacts your health In order to better understand her circadian rhythm, science journalist Lynne Peeples conducted an experiment in which lived for 10 days in a bunker, with no exposure to sunlight or clocks. Tonya Mosley
Lessons from self-inflicted blows to democracy in South Korea and the U.S. The brief declaration of martial law in South Korea last month has drawn comparisons to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attempted power grabs could hold lessons for other democracies. Anthony Kuhn
