News

#NPRreads: 4 Of The Week's Most Compelling Stories

9:03am December 19, 2015

by Laura Wagner

A rape victim who the police didn't believe. An investigation of Navy SEALS accused of beating and killing Afghan men. An in-depth look at prostitution. Plus, a profile of Little Richard.

Carlos Aguilera recently discussed how he played the saxophone during surgery to remove a brain tumor at Regional Hospital of Malaga, in Andalusia, Spain.

Brain Surgery Serenade: Man Plays Saxophone During Tumor Removal

8:57am December 19, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Partially sedated, Spanish musician Carlos Aguilera played "Misty" and read sheet music to help neurosurgeoons preserve his talents.

GOP presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee courts the religious vote at the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Manning, South Carolina.

Are You An Evangelical? Are You Sure?

8:14am December 19, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

"Evangelical" is one of the most poorly defined terms in the U.S. political conversation.

About two-dozen Muslim women attended a recent self-defense class in New York City.

Some Muslim Women Are Taking Self-Defense Into Their Own Hands

8:08am December 19, 2015

by Alexandra Starr

Anti-Muslim sentiment is on the rise, and Muslim women wearing hijabs can be particularly vulnerable. That has prompted two women in New York to organize an all-female class for observant Muslims.

Queue Listen Now

President Obama Talks Terrorism In Year-End Press Conference

8:05am December 19, 2015

by Scott Horsley

Terrorist attacks and the ongoing battle with the Islamic State cast a shadow over some of the accomplishments the president tried to highlight in his year-end news conference on Friday.

World News

New U.S.-Russia Resolution Outlines ISIS Strategy

8:04am December 19, 2015

The U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-Russia resolution outlining a strategy to defeat ISIS and end the conflict in Syria. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski.

World News

Why Are The New York Times' Tours Of Iran Controversial?

8:04am December 19, 2015

The New York Times is conducting cultural tours of Iran at the same time a Washington Post reporter has been imprisoned there for more than 500 days. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with NPR's David Folkenflik about the controversial program.

World News

New Libyan Peace Deal Could Ease Government Instability

8:04am December 19, 2015

Rival governments in Libya have signed a U.N. peace agreement. After years of unrest, there is now hope for a unified government. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Claudia Gazzini of the International Crisis Group.

World News

Why Does Vladimir Putin Walk With So Much Swagger?

8:04am December 19, 2015

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been under scrutiny recently, but not for the reasons you may suspect. As NPR's Scott Simon notes, this time it's for his unusual gait.

Politics & Government

What To Look Forward To During Saturday's Democratic Debate

8:04am December 19, 2015

Access to the DNC's voter files is available again to the Bernie Sanders campaign. NPR's Scott Simon talks to NPR's Ron Elving about how this spat could play out on the debate stage Saturday night.