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Former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad depended on his military to keep him in power for years. Then in just a matter of days, that same feared military disintegrated as rebel groups took control of the country. Our reporter in Damascus talks to former military members to understand why the military collapsed so fast.

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At a federal prison in rural Virginia, more than 50 prisoners say they've been abused. But when they try to file a complaint — they're stopped, often by the same guards they say are abusing them.

A few parts of the country may get a white Christmas in 2024, but the majority will not. And in the future, shifts in weather patterns driven by global warming may make them even less likely.

(Image credit: Nati Harnik)

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized after becoming infected with a case of bird flu that's been linked to wild birds and poultry.

(Image credit: AP)

As the world watches Syria grapple with the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime and the formation of a new government, one neighbor has emerged as having great influence over the new Syria.

(Image credit: Yasin Akgul)

The Fed lowered interest rates by a quarter percentage point — but policymakers are projecting fewer rate cuts next year as inflation remains elevated.

(Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

A new law gives TikTok a Jan. 19 deadline to sell to a non-Chinese company or face a nationwide ban. Law professor Alan Rozenshtein explains what this means and how President-elect Trump might intervene.

In April, Congress passed a law forcing TikTok to sell to a non-Chinese company or face a nationwide ban. Law professor Alan Rozenshtein, delves into the legal and cultural stakes of that law.

Over 800 million people have genital herpes — and in many cases the virus can flare up over a person's lifetime, causing painful symptoms. So why doesn't the world pay more attention?

(Image credit: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The high court said Wednesday it will review a challenge submitted by TikTok asking for the overturn of a law that could ban the video-sharing app by Jan 19.

(Image credit: Damian Dovarganes)

The state cut off funding to Planned Parenthood because it provided non-abortion services to Medicaid patients.

(Image credit: Kent Nishimura)

After learning the U.S. doesn't officially recognize the bald eagle as its national bird, a Minnesota man swooped in. This week the House passed his bill, which now heads to Biden's desk.

(Image credit: Bruce Weaver)

According to the Twitch 2024 community recap, viewers watched 20.35 billion hours on the live-streaming service. A forthcoming book explains why.

(Image credit: Twitch)

Plastic particles are found in our organs, blood and even semen. But do they stay in us forever? What damage are they doing? Here are six questions scientists are trying to answer.

(Image credit: Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register)

Early interactions with the Earth may have heated up the Moon and caused it to remelt, producing new lunar rocks and erasing old craters. 

This year, the animal kingdom was filled with triumph, loss and new discoveries. Here is a look at NPR's top animal stories of 2024.

Luigi Mangione is charged with murder as an act of terrorism in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. Here's what that means. And, could reality TV stars unionize? Why it could be hard.

(Image credit: Jeff Swensen)

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is making the case with senators that he should lead Health and Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius, who had the job under Obama, explains the power and limits of the role.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

At Fivex3 Training, a gym in Baltimore, several mornings a week are reserved for older people to train.

(Image credit: Kyna Uwaeme for NPR)

Twenty-five years ago, a boy named Elian Gonzalez appeared — remarkably alive — in the waters off the coast of Miami. Immediately, his fate became the subject of an international debate: Should he stay in the U.S.? Or should he be returned to Cuba, to live with his father? From our play cousins at Futuro Studios, this is part of their series Chess Piece: The Elián González Story.

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