Morning news brief
U.N. Security Council deadlocked on possible ceasefire in Gaza. Violent online rhetoric heats up after Colorado ballot ruling on Trump. Michigan leaders say they need help with Chicago migrant crisis.
World News
Party bosses fall in Japan's worst political corruption scandal in decades
Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party replaced two of its top executives as part of a purge related to investigations into alleged political slush funds.
Up First briefing: Gaza deaths top 20,000; Colorado Supreme Court Justices threatened
More than 20,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Violent rhetoric increased online following the Colorado Supreme Court decision to bar Trump from the 2024 primary ballot.
Japan's government is mired in the worst corruption scandal in three decades
Japan's government is mired in the worst corruption scandal in three decades. The prime minister is struggling with allegations that ruling party politicians violated political finance laws.
U.N. Security Council proposals for Gaza weakened to win U.S. support
U.N. Security Council proposals to call for a Gaza ceasefire or put the U.N. in charge of aid inspections were weakened to try to win support from the U.S., which backs Israel's fight against Hamas.
A top Qatari official discusses why Gaza is a policy priority
Qatar's ties to Hamas are controversial but useful. A top Qatari official tells NPR why the Gulf Arab state hosts senior Hamas figures and why Gaza is a policy priority.
Spain's Christmas lottery 'El Gordo' starts dishing out millions of dollars in prizes
The immensely popular lottery will distribute a total of $2.8 million in prizes this year, much of it in small prizes. Street and bar celebrations normally break out with winners singing and dancing.
Germany's government is warning companies to scale back dependence on China
The dependence German companies have built up on China helps prop up Europe's largest economy. Germany's government warns against over-dependence. What's the way forward for German companies?
Despite backlash, Masha Gessen says comparing Gaza to a Nazi-era ghetto is necessary
Journalist Masha Gessen talks to NPR's Morning Edition about their recent New Yorker essay on German Holocaust memory and the situation in Gaza — and the controversy that ensued.
Gaza health officials say Israel's offensive has now killed more than 20,000 people
Just more than 10 weeks into the conflict, the number of people killed in Gaza is nearing 1% of the territory's pre-war population. The rising death toll has fueled calls for Israel to shift strategy.