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China's population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its economy

    Rising costs of living are causing young people to put off or rule out marriage and child birth while pursuing higher education and careers.

    Rising costs of living are causing young people to put off or rule out marriage and child birth while pursuing higher education and careers. (Image credit: Andy Wong)

    SpaceX launches its Starship rocket on latest test flight but spacecraft is destroyed

      After launching on Thursday, the Starship rocket caught the booster back at the pad but lost contact with the ascending spacecraft as engines went out. Officials for Elon Musk's company confirmed that the spacecraft was destroyed.

      After launching on Thursday, the Starship rocket caught the booster back at the pad but lost contact with the ascending spacecraft as engines went out. Officials for Elon Musk's company confirmed that the spacecraft was destroyed. (Image credit: Eric Gay)

      ICE estimates it would need $26.9 billion to enforce GOP deportation bill

        An internal document from Immigration and Customs Enforcement concludes it would be "impossible" for it to enforce the Laken Riley Act without significantly more resources.

        An internal document from Immigration and Customs Enforcement concludes it would be "impossible" for it to enforce the Laken Riley Act without significantly more resources. (Image credit: Pool)

        Trump's challenge: where to house millions of immigrant detainees

          One of the biggest hurdles to carrying out Trump's mass deportation plans is where to house the millions of people who are in the country without legal status. As many prisons and detention centers are already overcrowded, what options are there?

          One of the biggest hurdles to carrying out Trump's mass deportation plans is where to house the millions of people who are in the country without legal status. As many prisons and detention centers are already overcrowded, what options are there? (Image credit: Veronica Gabriela Cardenas)

          Trump nominee to lead HUD says the agency is failing in its mission

            Scott Turner pledged to make HUD programs more streamlined and efficient. He declined to say whether he would oppose major budget cuts to the agency if Trump proposes them again.

            Scott Turner pledged to make HUD programs more streamlined and efficient. He declined to say whether he would oppose major budget cuts to the agency if Trump proposes them again. (Image credit: Rod Lamkey)

            Angelenos who didn't have to evacuate are experiencing survivor's guilt from fires

              Most people in L.A. did not evacuate -- and many have survivor's guilt. Katia Riddle discusses with Ailsa strategies for Angelenos who are navigating this complicated emotional terrain.

              Most people in L.A. did not evacuate -- and many have survivor's guilt. Katia Riddle discusses with Ailsa strategies for Angelenos who are navigating this complicated emotional terrain.

              A look back at Deb Haaland's time as the first Indigenous cabinet secretary

                The nation's first Indigenous cabinet secretary is wrapping up at the Department of Interior. It's unclear how many of Deb Haaland's reforms will remain intact under Trump.

                The nation's first Indigenous cabinet secretary is wrapping up at the Department of Interior. It's unclear how many of Deb Haaland's reforms will remain intact under Trump.

                Will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza?

                  At the time we publish this episode, Israel's government has yet to accept the terms of the long-negotiated and hard fought ceasefire deal announced yesterday.

                  The deal is still on, but the quarreling over the details demonstrates how difficult it is to keep the agreement on track.

                  On Thursday morning Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the deal, accusing Hamas of "reneging" on parts of the agreement.

                  A Hamas official said on social media that the group is committed to the agreement announced Wednesday.

                  After more than 15 long months, tens of thousands dead, and close to 2 million people displaced, will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza?

                  For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org

                  Email us at considerthis@npr.org

                  At the time we publish this episode, Israel's government has yet to accept the terms of the long-negotiated and hard fought ceasefire deal announced yesterday. The deal is still on, but the quarreling over the details demonstrates how difficult it is to keep the agreement on track. On Thursday morning Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed a cabinet vote on the deal, accusing Hamas of "reneging" on parts of the agreement. A Hamas official said on social media that the group is committed to the agreement announced Wednesday. After more than 15 long months, tens of thousands dead, and close to 2 million people displaced, will we finally see an end to the war in Gaza? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org Email us at considerthis@npr.org (Image credit: Amir Levy)

                  Freezing temperatures are expected during Trump's second inauguration

                    Monday's Inauguration Day is set to be the coldest in 40 years. The high temperature for the day is projected to be around freezing at 23 degrees, while the low for the day may drop to just 10 degrees.

                    Monday's Inauguration Day is set to be the coldest in 40 years. The high temperature for the day is projected to be around freezing at 23 degrees, while the low for the day may drop to just 10 degrees. (Image credit: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

                    Trump's pick for EPA administrator is Lee Zeldin. Here's what to know.

                      Democrats worry the Trump administration will roll back efforts to limit climate change.

                      Democrats worry the Trump administration will roll back efforts to limit climate change. (Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

                      Netanyahu Faces a Political Crisis Over the Gaza Cease-Fire Deal

                      • Netanyahu, Benjamin
                      • Israel
                      • Israel-Gaza War (2023- )
                      • Hamas
                      • Ben-Gvir, Itamar
                      • Smotrich, Bezalel (1980- )
                      • International Relations
                      • Politics and Government
                      • Gaza Strip
                      • Trump, Donald J

                      With his far-right coalition partners opposing an end to the war and threatening to quit, the Israeli prime minister may have to choose: them or the agreement.

                      Eric Adams Heads to Mar-a-Lago to Meet With Trump

                      • Eric Adams Federal Corruption Case (24 CR 556)
                      • Presidential Election of 2024
                      • United States Politics and Government
                      • Amnesties, Commutations and Pardons
                      • Mar-a-Lago (Palm Beach, Fla)
                      • Adams, Eric L
                      • Trump, Donald J

                      The New York mayor, who is under federal indictment, has spoken warmly about President-elect Donald J. Trump in recent weeks and has said he is open to receiving a pardon from him.

                      Nancy Pelosi Is Skipping Trump’s Inauguration

                      • United States Politics and Government
                      • Inaugurations
                      • Pelosi, Nancy
                      • Trump, Donald J
                      • Presidential Transition (US)
                      • State of the Union Message (US)
                      • House of Representatives

                      The former speaker clashed with Donald Trump throughout his first term, and the acrimony between the two persisted after he left office.

                      Two Watchdogs Were Rebuffed From Joining Trump’s Cost-Cutting Effort

                      • Presidential Transition (US)
                      • Trump, Donald J
                      • Musk, Elon
                      • Ramaswamy, Vivek (1985- )
                      • Public Citizen
                      • Republican Party

                      “We have no room in our administration for Democrats,” a transition spokeswoman replied after good-government activists tried to join the president-elect’s new efficiency department.

                      Biden Tightens Cybersecurity Rules, Forcing Trump to Make a Choice

                      • Cyberwarfare and Defense
                      • United States Politics and Government
                      • Regulation and Deregulation of Industry
                      • United States International Relations
                      • Cyberattacks and Hackers
                      • Biden, Joseph R Jr
                      • Neuberger, Anne
                      • Trump, Donald J

                      The president’s latest executive order accelerates the move to mandatory compliance by software providers. It may run afoul of the Trump mandate to deregulate.

                      With a Series of Actions, Biden Races to Constrain Trump

                      • United States Politics and Government
                      • Presidential Election of 2024
                      • Executive Orders and Memorandums
                      • Presidents and Presidency (US)
                      • Biden, Joseph R Jr
                      • Trump, Donald J

                      The president has issued policy decisions in a number of areas in the final days of his term to cement his agenda, including environmental justice, prison reform and immigration.

                      TikTok Refugees Get Wry Welcome on RedNote, Another Chinese App

                      • Social Media
                      • Politics and Government
                      • United States Politics and Government
                      • Beijing Bytedance Technology Co Ltd
                      • Communist Party of China
                      • Lemon8 (ByteDance)
                      • TikTok (ByteDance)
                      • Xiaohongshu (Mobile App)
                      • Trump, Donald J

                      In their mass migration to the Chinese app RedNote, social media users make a gleeful mockery of the American government.

                      Bob Dylan Joins TikTok in What May Be Its Final Days

                      • Dylan, Bob
                      • TikTok (ByteDance)
                      • Mobile Applications
                      • Social Media
                      • Pop and Rock Music

                      Dylan seemed to be in on the joke, posting an old black and white clip of himself saying “Good God, I must leave right away.”

                      David Lynch Dead: ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’ Director Was 78

                      • Lynch, David
                      • Deaths (Obituaries)
                      • Movies
                      • Television
                      • Mulholland Drive (Movie)
                      • Blue Velvet (Movie)
                      • Dune (Movie)
                      • Eraserhead (Movie)
                      • Twin Peaks (TV Program)

                      A visionary, his films included “Eraserhead,” “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive.” He also brought his skewed view to the small screen with “Twin Peaks.”

                      David Lynch, ‘Twin Peaks’ and the American Art of Television

                      • Television
                      • Lynch, David
                      • Twin Peaks (TV Program)
                      • Twin Peaks: The Return (TV Program)

                      “Twin Peaks” was his ultimate portrait of a land of terror and beauty.

                      More Than a Week After the Fires, Los Angeles Evacuees Remain in Limbo

                      • Southern California Wildfires (Jan 2025)
                      • Evacuations and Evacuees
                      • National Guard
                      • Los Angeles (Calif)
                      • Altadena (Calif)
                      • Brentwood (Calif)
                      • Encino (Calif)
                      • Pacific Palisades (Calif)
                      • Westwood (NJ)

                      Many neighborhoods are still off-limits to residents. Evacuees say they are increasingly frustrated and at a loss over what to do next.

                      Giuliani Keeps His Condo in Settlement of Defamation Case

                      • Giuliani, Rudolph W
                      • Libel and Slander
                      • Compensation for Damages (Law)
                      • Suits and Litigation (Civil)
                      • Freeman, Ruby
                      • Moss, Shaye
                      • Liman, Lewis Jeffrey
                      • Presidential Election of 2020
                      • Trump, Donald J
                      • Manhattan (NYC)
                      • Voter Fraud (Election Fraud)
                      • Rumors and Misinformation
                      • Bankruptcies

                      An agreement allowed the former mayor of New York City to keep his apartments and other valuables in return for an undisclosed payment to two election workers he defamed after the 2020 vote.

                      SpaceX Starship Rocket Is Lost During 7th Test Launch, Causing Debris to Fall

                      • Space Exploration Technologies Corp
                      • Private Spaceflight
                      • Rocket Science and Propulsion
                      • Space and Astronomy

                      While Elon Musk’s spaceflight company repeated a spectacular catch of its powerful booster stage, the upper stage experienced a catastrophic malfunction.

                      China’s Population Declines for 3rd Straight Year

                      • China
                      • Population
                      • Birth Rates
                      • Birth Control and Family Planning
                      • Economic Conditions and Trends

                      The fall came despite a slight rise in births last year, the first increase since 2016. State efforts to cajole women to have children have met resistance.

                      China Says Economy Grew 5% Last Year, Driven by Exports

                      • China
                      • Economic Conditions and Trends
                      • International Trade and World Market
                      • Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates)
                      • National Bureau of Statistics (China)

                      Analysts say they see signs of malaise in China’s domestic economy, but those problems were offset mainly by robust exports and a $1 trillion trade surplus.

                      Republicans in North Carolina Are Treading a Terrifying Path

                      • North Carolina
                      • Riggs, Allison J
                      • Griffin, Jefferson (1980- )
                      • Trump, Donald J
                      • Republican Party

                      They’re trying to overturn a fair election. Gee, who gave them that idea?

                      A Meteorite Is Caught on Camera as It Crashes Outside a Front Door

                      • Meteors and Meteorites
                      • Space and Astronomy
                      • Earth
                      • Security and Warning Systems
                      • Cameras
                      • Video Recordings, Downloads and Streaming
                      • University of Alberta
                      • Canada
                      • Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island)
                      • Prince Edward Island (Canada)
                      • Meteoritical Society

                      Home security-camera footage shows a puff of smoke, with the sound of an explosion included, as the space rock lands in Canada. A geologist said it was a rare recording.

                      Spain Overhauls Domestic Violence System After Criticism

                      • Domestic Violence
                      • Police
                      • Women and Girls
                      • Computers and the Internet
                      • Spain
                      • Software

                      Spain uses an algorithm to score how likely a domestic violence victim is to be abused again. A Times investigation last year identified flaws in the system.

                      Chinese Celebrities and Tourists Think Twice About Thailand

                      • Thailand
                      • China
                      • Kidnapping and Hostages
                      • Travel and Vacations
                      • Celebrities
                      • Human Trafficking
                      • Forced Labor
                      • Frauds and Swindling
                      • Lunar New Year
                      • Bangkok (Thailand)
                      • Mae Sot (Thailand)
                      • Myanmar

                      The brief abduction of a Chinese actor who was trafficked into Myanmar to work in a scam camp has rattled travelers from a country that Thailand relies on for tourism.

                      Justin Baldoni Sues Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for Defamation

                      • Libel and Slander
                      • Suits and Litigation (Civil)
                      • Sexual Harassment
                      • New York Times
                      • Baldoni, Justin
                      • Lively, Blake
                      • Reynolds, Ryan
                      • It Ends With Us (Movie)

                      The lawsuit is the latest legal action in a feud tied to the 2024 film “It Ends With Us,” which starred Ms. Lively and Mr. Baldoni, who also directed the film.

                      A Guide to Living in Yonkers N.Y.

                      • Real Estate and Housing (Residential)
                      • Yonkers (NY)
                      • Building (Construction)
                      • Condominiums
                      • Area Planning and Renewal
                      • Beer

                      The third largest city in New York has new residential projects in the pipeline and is attracting businesses.