The 'world's largest' advent calendar attracts tens of thousands of people from all over the world to a small town in Germany. A small town in Germany turns its town hall into the 'world's largest' advent calendar each December. It started as a way to boost businesses in the winter, but it's grown to mean much more. Eric Deggans
Over 40 people hospitalized in Georgia during protests over suspension of EU talks A third night of protests in Tbilisi over the government's decision to suspend talks to join the European Union left 44 people hospitalized as police used water cannons and tear gas, officials said. The Associated Press
FIFA should pay workers harmed in building World Cup venues, its committee report says The report said the main responsibility lay with the workers' direct employers and the Qatari government, but noted that "a credible argument can be made" that FIFA played a role as well. Juliana Kim
Trump picks longtime ally Kash Patel to replace current FBI director The president-elect plans to replace current FBI Director Christopher Wray with Patel, a close ally of the president-elect and former national security aide, has berated the Justice Department and the news media. Carrie Johnson
How to solve the Gen Z social isolation problem? She tried surfing and it worked Young people today spend nearly 1,000 fewer hours per year hanging out with friends in person than they did 20 years ago. Some solutions for the loneliness epidemic are coming from unlikely places. Katia Riddle
Opinion: The life and work of Seuk Kim, pilot and animal rescuer NPR's Scott Simon remembers Seuk Kim, a volunteer animal rescue pilot who died in a crash earlier this week, transporting several dogs. Scott Simon
Reporter Journal: A sunrise trek through wild solitude in New York City New York City is home to more than eight million people but NPR's Brian Mann mapped out an urban hike through solitude and parkland wildness. Brian Mann
Canada's Trudeau says he had an 'excellent conversation' with Trump after tariffs threat The Canadian prime minister's meeting with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago came after the president-elect's threat to impose tariffs on two of America's leading trade partners raised alarms. The Associated Press
Chinese crypto businessman eats his controversial $6.2 million banana art piece Justin Sun uploaded a video of himself eating the $6.2 million absurdist piece conceptualized by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. Alana Wise
A restored Notre Dame cathedral is unveiled days before its official reopening Notre Dame Cathedral has been closed to the public since a fire damaged the landmark in April 2019. Chandelis Duster
