Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young had allegedly agreed on a massive reform that would establish a federal environmental protection agency. Which they thought would pass through the senate. But then, in an 11th hour meeting, the deal was scotched, according to multiple sources, by pri…

The latest in a string of food safety recalls, the CDC is recalling Mexican cucumbers due to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 68 people in 19 states.Av Allison Aubrey

A weekday morning wrap-up of both national and local news stories.Av WBUR

For the last eight years in Syria, a civil war, borne out of the Arab Spring protests, had come to something of a standstill. The frontlines were largely frozen, with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad having control of the major cities, while militant groups wrestled for primacy in the regions. That is, until the attack on the weekend, from a rebel …

Long Island school districts employed hundreds of retired educators last school year, including seven who eclipsed $400,000 between their district paychecks and pensions. Jim Baumbach reports in NEWSDAY that Districts say a shrinking pool of specialized educators has led them to turn to retirees, and the state made it easier by removing the need fo…

An NDP MLA says the premier owes his kids an apology. Jared Clarke says Scott Moe targeted his children because they are trans. The premier's office says he did not target anyone in particular. We'll check in with our political panel, Adam Hunter and Murray Mandryk.

NPR's Leila Fadel talks to Robert Ford, former U.S. ambassador to Syria, about what it means for the region.Av Leila Fadel

President Biden's move to pardon his son Hunter has been met with criticism — from opponents and some allies. We look at what that means for his legacy.Av Asma Khalid

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with historian Beverly Gage about her biography of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI's history of civilian surveillance.Av Michel Martin

At the call of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Legislature took a step toward preparing for legal battles with the incoming Trump administration.Av Megan Myscofski

The rapid advance by rebel fighters in Syria seemed to come out of nowhere. Yet this development is linked to a series of combustible events in the Middle East over the past year.Av Greg Myre

Brain rot describes overconsuming low quality social media content. Casper Grathwohl of Oxford University Languages discusses how brain rot was selected.Av Hosts

Protestors in Georgia want new elections as the government says it's suspending European Union membership talks.Av Charles Maynes

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Eliot Cohen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies about Ukraine's strategies preceding President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House.Av Steve Inskeep