Former President Donald Trump speaks at a commit to caucus campaign event at the Whiskey River bar on Dec. 2 in Ankeny, Iowa.
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Today's top stories
Colorado's Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling yesterday disqualifying former President Donald Trump from appearing on the state's primary ballot next year. The decision stems from Trump's role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. capitol by his supporters. It's based on section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which disbars anyone who has engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" against the government from holding office. Trump's campaign says it will appeal the decision.
Election officials and legal experts believe the case will head to the Supreme Court, reports Colorado Public Radio's Bente Birkeland for Up First. Birkeland adds we can "expect to hear a lot more" about the issue, as it "fits into Trump's narrative that his political enemies are out to get him."
As Israel's ground and air assaults on Gaza continue, the country is facing intense international pressure to limit civilian casualties. Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. The death toll includes nearly 100 journalists as well as U.N. and medical workers.
Several homes in the southern city of Rafah were struck in the early morning hours, killing at least 30 people, including a three-year-old and a journalist, NPR's Carrie Kahn reports from Tel Aviv. NPR producer Anas Baba spoke to a survivor who described waking up not knowing who to save. U.S.-backed meetings between Israeli and Qatari officials in Europe to establish another cease-fire deal to release hostages are ongoing, according to U.S. officials.
Millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo head to the polls today to elect their next president. But, many may not be able to get to a voting station to cast their ballots. The nation faces violence from more than 100 armed groups in the east vying for deposits of oil, gold and cobalt — a mineral used in smartphones.
President Felix Tshisekedi is seen as the favorite, though his popularity has waned, NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports. Many of the country's most brutal challenges have become more entrenched. Insecurity has worsened in the east, where more than 6 million people are displaced, "It really doesn't get the focus it deserves," Akinwotu says.
Today's listen
Steve Jennings / Getty Images
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Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey says being able to use medication to manage her weight has been a relief.
Earlier this week, Oprah Winfrey told People magazine that she was "done with the shaming" as she admitted to using a weight loss drug to lose and maintain her weight. She's an investor in WeightWatchers, the long-running weight loss program. It's known for advocating willpower as the only way to lose weight, but it's now embracing drugs known as GLP-1s.
Listen to the company's CEO, Sima Sistani, talk about people who may feel betrayed by their new approach and what Oprah's revelation signals about the weight loss drugs on All Things Considered.
Deep dive
/ Photo illustration by LA Johnson/Getty Images/NPR
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Photo illustration by LA Johnson/Getty Images/NPR
For decades, public service announcements and school presentations have told high school studentsto "just say no" to drugs. But research shows this approach alone doesn't work. Some experts say harm reduction education, which focuses on keeping people safe if they choose to use drugs, could save lives.
The most important piece of harm reduction education is not to use drugs, professor Bonnie Halpern-Felsher says. Halpern-Felsher directs Stanford University's REACH Lab, which focuses on understanding, preventing and reducing teen and young adult substance use, among other risky behaviors.
In situations where teens are using drugs, the curriculum includes safety measures like considering your mindset and setting and checking the substance for things like fentanyl.
Halpern-Felsher says a cultural shift that includes involvement from communities and families alongside schools is needed to solve the fentanyl crisis and meet teens where they are.
3 things to know before you go
/ Ziwe/Screenshot by NPR
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Ziwe/Screenshot by NPR
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York (left) sits down with comedian Ziwe Fumudoh (right) for a highly-anticipated interview about his views on Congress, personal life and future plans. It published on YouTube on Monday.
Ziwe Fumudoh, a comedian famous for her interviews grilling controversial celebrities, sat down with former Republican Rep. George Santos following his ousting from Congress. Here's what we learned from their conversation,
A blue and black star-spangled dress worn by Princess Dianabroke an auction record for the most amount of money paid for an article of her clothing. It brought in nearly $1.15 million — 11 times higher than estimated.
Tater, an orange tabby cat, is a deep space superstar. NASA used a video of the playful feline for its first-ever HD video transmitted by laser from deep space.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony wowed Parisians, fans and most everyone who was able to catch a glimpse of thousands of athletes floating down the Seine to officially begin the Games.
As Vice President Kamala Harris ramps up her campaign for president, Republicans are trying out new — and old — attacks focused on her race and gender, including calling her a "DEI candidate."
The Food Safety and Inspection Service made the announcement Friday. There are 34 cases of Listeria from deli meat across 13 states, including two people who died of Thursday, according to the CDC.
On the day that former President Donald Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, we look at the Republican nominee's relationship with Israel.
Ashleigh Johnson is one of the best water polo goalkeepers in the world. NPR's Juana Summers talks to her about her barrier-breaking role in the sport and her expectations for her third Olympic games.
After a decades long man hunt the defacto head of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel is arrested just outside El Paso. What more do we know about his capture and what impact, if any, will this have on the fentanyl crisis here.
The territory hasn't had any polio cases for 25 years but this suggests the virus is spreading. Polio experts are scrambling to figure out the origins and whether or not there are active cases.
The opposition is united against longtime leftist President Nicolas Maduro, who is seeking a third term in this Sunday's election amid the country's gravest economic and political crisis in decades.