NPR News Headlines

Undue Medical Debt is retiring unpaid medical bills for 20 million people. The debt trading company that owned them is leaving the market.

(Image credit: DNY59/Getty Images)

The company helped launch the software industry and bring a computer to every desktop. Hit products like Windows and the Xbox became household names – but does anyone remember the Zune?

(Image credit: Doug Wilson)

This week inspired questions of self-reflection, like "could I talk for 25 hours straight?" and "do I feel liberated?" and "can you tell me again why the Wisconsin Supreme Court is important?"

A GOP electoral warning points to Elon Musk in the hot seat, and President Trump employed a third-term distraction. Also, a trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

NCAA president Charlie Baker discusses a proposed settlement between college athletes and the NCAA for making direct payments to players for their name, image and likeness.

(Image credit: Boston Globe)

Former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez, who likened President Trump to "Roman emperor" earlier this year, says he fears the U.S. revoked his visa over criticisms of Trump.

(Image credit: Manu Fernandez)

The tone of voice and personality that brands use to market themselves to consumers has changed a lot in the past decade, with many brands communicating more frequently and in overly familiar ways.

President Trump is downplaying reports that far-right provocateur Laura Loomer influenced National Security Council firings on Thursday.

(Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein)

The February 2022 protests, dubbed the Freedom Convoy, were sparked by a Canadian government vaccine mandate for truck drivers crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

(Image credit: Cole Burston)

South Korea's Constitutional Court removed impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office on Friday, ending his tumultuous presidency and setting up an election to replace him.

(Image credit: Lee Jin-man)

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it will end a mortgage rescue plan that has saved many veterans from needlessly losing their homes, the move could strand thousands of others who need help.

The lawsuit is the fourth legal challenge against Trump's executive order on voting. The attorneys general argue the order is "an unconstitutional attempt to seize control of elections."

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

Whatever you think of President Trump's tariffs, there's one point you have to concede: his interest in them is not a passing whim.

He noted that on Wednesday, in the Rose Garden, when he was announcing the latest, massive round of tariffs. "I've been talking about this for 40 years," he said.

The use of tariffs are a core belief for Donald Trump. Trade deficits are bad, other countries take advantage of the U.S. and tariffs are the way to fix this.

Since the Rose Garden announcement, markets have plunged, other countries have promised to retaliate, and members of his own party have spoken out against the tariffs.

Trump's tariff plan is designed to eliminate U.S. trade deficits. Are trade deficits actually bad?

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: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI)

A visit by a senior Kremlin envoy to the White House this week may help explain why Russia is not on President Trump's tariffs list - and determine for just how long Russia can stay off the list.

(Image credit: Alexander Nemenov)

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg Thursday pushed, once again, the Justice Department to explain its use of the Alien Enemies Act and provide key details and the timeline of the flights.

(Image credit: DREW ANGERER)

Federal health agencies have to slash their spending on contracts by more than a third, on top of the 10,000-person staffing cuts which started this week.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

The world is reacting to President Trump's announcement of new tariffs on nearly every country on the planet. The move is meant to re-shape the global trading order and some countries are being hit harder than others. NPR correspondents around the world are hearing anger, dismay, threats of retaliation and bewilderment.

R.E.M. played its first concert there in 1980 and still draws fans to its hometown. A visit to Athens can be like a pilgrimage of the band's music.

(Image credit: Melanie Peeples)

The announcement comes after lawmakers voiced concern about whether top national security officials discussed classified information on Signal about a military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)

Severe storms are predicted to impact large areas of the United States through the weekend.

(Image credit: The National Weather Service)