U.S. Weighs Dropping Espionage Charges Against Assange | NPR News Now

The background check required before a gun sale keeps guns from falling into the wrong hands—or does it? Here’s what gun owners and gun-control advocates say about the flaws of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

How much do you know about US gun laws? Would you recognize an illegal gun? Do you know which types of AR-15s have to be registered and which don’t? If not, here’s a primer on what you should know about gun laws and why.

Dive into the pulse of American politics with "NPR News Now," where this episode, featuring Kristin Wright, Sarah McCammon, and others, delves into the significant role abortion rights played in the 2023 elections. As states like Kentucky and Ohio take decisive action to protect reproductive freedoms, the narrative unfolds a potentially transformative moment for voter priorities and party platforms. Wright's coverage of Kentucky's gubernatorial race illustrates this shift, where a pro-choice stance contributed to electoral victory, suggesting a wider acceptance of abortion rights' centrality to political success.

In parallel, the episode addresses the continued Republican leadership in Mississippi and the evolving US stance on international conflicts, as described by Jason Rosenbaum's analysis of Representative Cori Bush's advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza. At the intersection of domestic and global policy, controversies such as Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's remarks spur heated debates over free speech and political conduct. "NPR News Now" invites listeners to a comprehensive examination of how these domestic developments and foreign policy initiatives echo through the halls of governance and across the nation's moral and ethical landscape.

Dive into the complexities of global and domestic affairs in this riveting episode of NPR News Now, featuring prominent voices such as Korva Coleman and Michele Kellerman. World leaders grapple with the harrowing escalation in Gaza as the U.N. Secretary-General makes an unconventional appeal to the international community for intervention. Hear how the suffocating humanitarian crisis unfolds, with hospitals – the bastions of health and safety – succumbing to the pressures of prolonged conflict, potentially leaving countless Gaza civilians in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, on the home front, NPR News Now navigates the turbulent waters of U.S. politics and policy with contributions from individuals like Chuck Schumer and Marsha Blackburn. Listen as the contentious debate on foreign aid meets the powerful force of immigration reform proposals, revealing deep-rooted disputes and political maneuvering in Congress. Moreover, don't miss the poignant coverage of the personal and legal strife faced by Texans under restrictive abortion laws, brought to life through the experiences of Kate Cox and the advocacy of Molly Duane. This episode is a powerful testament to the interwoven challenges of national security, human rights, and public safety.

In 2013, whistleblower Edward Snowden revealed the existence of STELLARWIND, the US government’s mass surveillance program. Until Snowden revealed the program, the US government was recording the phone and computer activities of nearly everyone in the world.

In Permanent Record, Snowden explains how he became involved with the government, how he learned about the mass surveillance program, and how he ultimately made the decision to speak up—a decision that would change his life, and the lives of everyone who uses the Internet, forever.

In the latest episode of NPR News Now, delve into the complex world of legal matters and courtroom drama as Korva Coleman and Ryan Lucas provide insights into the serious federal legal challenges facing Hunter Biden. Hear about the federal tax evasion charges brought against him in California, and the defense mounted by his lawyer, who argues that his last name may be unduly influencing the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, follow Quinn Klinefelter's report on the sentencing of Ethan Crumbly, looking into how the Michigan judge weighs the grim nature of the crime against the potential for rehabilitation.

Korva Coleman returns with somber news from the Middle East, spotlighting the detriment of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and its heartbreaking toll. On a global scale, Ari Daniel probes the pressing issue of human rights with Skip Mark, discussing the surprising grades assigned to countries and the implications for democracies like the United States. Rounding off the episode on a lighter note, Coleman unveils Pantone's Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, forecasting its impact on cultural and design trends, offering listeners a silver lining of softness and comfort that may color our world in times of turmoil.