NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with archaeologist Gary Feinman about new findings that show democracy existed throughout the ancient world and was not exclusive to Mediterranean Europe.

NPR's Short Wave team talks about a wildflower's ability to adapt to climate change, the grooming habits of birds, and the social lives of sharks.

Two leading democracy watchdog organizations are releasing studies this week that evaluate the state of American democracy after President Trump's first year.

This week, more than 2,000 mental health care workers at Kaiser Permanente, in northern California went on a 24-hour-strike. A major reason is disagreement between Kaiser and therapists over the future role of AI in mental health care.

Since the Iran war began, Israel has restricted public gathering and isn't letting worshippers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. As Ramadan ends, religious leaders say the ban on prayers is political.

The war on Iran is leaving Indians scrambling for cooking fuel and natural gas to power factories.

NPR has learned that mediators have quietly given Hamas a proposal to hand over all its weapons to ensure Gaza's reconstruction.

The "Because I Got High" rapper made waves in 2023 with the album and song "Lemon Pound Cake," using home video to mock a police raid on his Ohio home. The deputies lost their civil suit against him.

This week, the biggest chart news revolves around Harry Styles all the time. Other artists, occasionally.

A Virginia after-school cursive club went viral. More than two dozen states require cursive in their curriculums. Is it an effective learning tool or just nostalgia?