Politics & Government

High stakes elections lie ahead in Guatemala, Ecuador and Argentina

5:11pm August 18, 2023

Latin American democracies face tests this weekend with elections in Guatemala and Ecuador — and as a far-right candidate starts getting traction for a run for Argentina's presidency this fall.

Life in Afghanistan two years after the Taliban's takeover

4:55pm August 18, 2023

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Fazelminallah Qazizai, a journalist and NPR's producer in Afghanistan, about life in the country two years after the Taliban took over.

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a photo of the capitol with insurrectionists outside on Jan. 6

Court tosses Jan. 6 sentence in ruling that could impact other low-level Capitol riot cases

4:32pm August 18, 2023

by Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press

A federal appeals court on Friday ordered a new sentence for a North Carolina man who pleaded guilty to a petty offense in the Capitol riot — a ruling that could impact dozens of low-level cases in the massive Jan. 6, 2021 prosecution.

A photo of the Guilford County Courthouse

Politics & Government

Guilford commissioners vote against placing "In God We Trust" on county buildings

2:23pm August 18, 2023

by DJ Simmons

Guilford County commissioners voted six to two against placing the phrase "In God We Trust" on county buildings Thursday.

An override stamp is seen on legislation limiting LGBTQ+ classroom instruction in the early grades

North Carolina laws curtailing transgender rights prompt less backlash than 2016 'bathroom bill'

2:19pm August 18, 2023

by Hannah Schoenbaum and Gary D. Robertson, Associated Press

Seven years ago, North Carolina became ground zero in the nationwide fight over transgender rights with the passage of a

Lawyers say they expect former President Donald Trump to wade into commentary, and personal attacks, on people involved in bringing him to justice across four separate criminal indictments in four different jurisdictions.

Politics & Government

Trump tests the tolerance of judges and even his own lawyers

12:40pm August 18, 2023

by Carrie Johnson

Former President Donald Trump's rhetoric could be setting him up for an ugly clash with judges overseeing the criminal cases against him.

Workers install solar panels on a rooftop at AltaSea's research and development facility at the Port of Los Angeles on April 21, 2023.

Politics & Government

The U.S. imports most of its solar panels. A new ruling may make that more expensive

12:21pm August 18, 2023

by Eric McDaniel

The Commerce Department says solar panel makers in four Southeast Asian countries are evading U.S. duties on Chinese solar components. The finding could raise costs in the United States.

Members of an honor guard stand at attention for the arrival of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Camp David on June 26, 2008.

Politics & Government

Up First briefing: Biden at Camp David; mortgage rates jump; NPR news quiz

9:33am August 18, 2023

by Suzanne Nuyen

President Biden will host Japan and Korea's leaders at Camp David. Mortgage rates have hit a two-decade high. See how much news you know with this week's quiz.

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Politics & Government

Biden will be talking to his counterparts from Japan and South Korea at Camp David

7:26am August 18, 2023

For the first time since 2015, foreign leaders have been invited to the presidential retreat. Biden wants to strengthen ties with both countries as part of a broader push to counter China's influence.

Politics & Government

Morning news brief

5:45am August 18, 2023

President Biden is using Camp David to elevate a summit with Japan and South Korea. Wildfires in Canada force all 20,000 Yellowknife residents to flee. Ecuador elects a new president on Sunday.

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