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Pope Francis looks at the Christmas tree inside the Paul VI hall as he arrives to meet with faithful during an audience granted to the donors of the Christmas tree and Nativity scene at the Vatican, on Dec. 3, 2022. Pope Francis has revealed in an interview that shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from carrying out duties.

The Pope has revealed he has a resignation note to use if his health impedes his work

5:44am December 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

Pope Francis has revealed in an interview published Sunday that shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from doing his duties.

Migrants walk across the Rio Grande to surrender to US Border Patrol agents in El Paso, Texas, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Herika Martinez / AFP)

National

A Texas mayor has declared a state of emergency over migrants crossing the border

5:33am December 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

The mayor of a Texas border city declared a state of emergency Saturday over concerns about the community's ability to handle an anticipated influx of migrants across the Mexican border.

Grounds crew work to clear snow off the field at Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.

National

Heavy snow has left thousands without power in New England and New York

1:43am December 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

Utility crews raced Saturday to restore power to tens of thousands of customers across New England and New York after a powerful storm dumped 2 feet of snow in some places.

Twitter headquarters in San Francisco on Nov. 4. The United Nations and the European Union are among the groups that condemned Elon Musk's decision to suspend several journalists from the social media platform.

National

Elon Musk reinstates suspended journalists on Twitter after a backlash

4:59pm December 17, 2022

by Juliana Kim

The United Nations and the European Union are among the groups that condemned Musk's sudden decision to suspend several journalists from the social media platform.

Rescue teams on Saturday continue the search for victims caught in a landslide in Batang Kali, Malaysia.

World News

Malaysia landslide death toll rises to 24, with 9 still missing

10:49am December 17, 2022

by The Associated Press

The 24 victims included seven children and 13 women. Authorities were still carrying out autopsies and waiting for next of kin to identify the victims.

Some researchers are now warning of levels of heavy metals in some dark chocolate bars.

Health & Safety

Dark chocolate might have health perks, but should you worry about lead in your bar?

10:39am December 17, 2022

by Ashley Ahn

Dark chocolate bars tested by Consumer Reports exceeded California's daily maximum allowable dose levels for lead or cadmium. But a toxicologist says eaten in moderation, it's nothing to worry about.

Jday's inability to find work has stalled his life.

Tunisians are voting in an election critics say could cement a return to autocracy

10:05am December 17, 2022

In Tunisia, 12 years after the revolution, citizens are still asking, "How do you expect me to make a living?"

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Ukraine last month marked the 90th anniversary of a 1932-33 famine that the country blames on Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. In this photo, visitors to the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide in Kyiv look though a book with some of the names of the 4 million or more Ukrainians who died in the famine. In the background is a photo of one of the victims of that period.

World News

A century and counting: Ukraine's ongoing fight to free itself from Russia

2:55am December 17, 2022

by Greg Myre

This month marks 100 years since Ukraine joined the Soviet Union. It did so after Ukraine lost in a bid for independence. Ukraine once again finds itself in another life-and-death battle with Moscow.

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A sampling of NPR's favorite games of 2022.

Arts

Best games of 2022 chosen by NPR

6:18pm December 16, 2022

by James Perkins Mastromarino

From Elden Ring to Immortality, 2022 delivered long-anticipated titles and ambitious indie games. NPR staff and contributors list their favorites.

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi in Lusail, north of Doha on December 13, 2022 (L) and France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 14, 2022.

Sports

France takes on Argentina in the World Cup Final. Here's what you need to know.

5:13pm December 16, 2022

by Russell Lewis

The final game of the 2022 World Cup on Sunday is set to be its most thrilling. Defending champion France takes on Argentina as Lionel Messi seeks the one trophy missing from his glorious career.