Afghan women reportedly barred from studying nursing and midwivery Several sources confirm the Taliban pronouncement, part of ongoing efforts to curtail education for girls and women. Women studying these subjects say they were barred from classes this week. Read more on NPR

The U.S. and China Vie for Influence in Africa Joe Biden’s first and last trip to Africa as president wrapped up in a port city in Angola. It’s the end of an 800 mile train line connecting the port to massive mineral deposits in Central Africa. The U.S. and other Western countries are raising billions…

Trump picks crypto backer Paul Atkins as new Securities and Exchange Commission chair Trump picked Atkins, a former SEC commissioner, to head the agency. Known for his support of cryptocurrencies, Atkins could help shape regulations for the industry. Read more on NPR

French lawmakers oust the prime minister after just 91 days, toppling the government France’s government has been toppled by a no-confidence vote in parliament, for the first time sine 1962. Prime Minister Michel Barnier served the shortest time in the post in France’s modern history. Read more on NPR

Trump chooses billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman to run NASA Earlier this year, Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk. But his longstanding ties with Elon Musk’s company SpaceX raise possible conflicts of interest. Read more on NPR

Who is Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO gunned down in New York? Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, spent two decades at UnitedHealth Group before his shocking death. Tributes are pouring in from coworkers and public officials in his home state of Minnesota. Read more on NPR

Longer careers in ice hockey are linked to a greater risk of CTE, a new study finds A new Boston University study of 77 deceased male ice hockey players found that their chances of developing the degenerative brain disease known as CTE increased with each year they played the sport. Read more on NPR

Supreme Court appears skeptical of challenge to ban on gender-affirming care for minors At issue is a state law in Tennessee that blocks minors from accessing gender-affirming care in the state. Read more on NPR

What Trump’s 2nd term might mean for the country’s economy Economist David Wessel talks about Trump’s plans on tariffs and tax cuts, and the potential economic impact of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency. Read more on NPR

Montana lawmakers cross the aisle to block a trans bathroom ban in the state capitol Some Republicans joined Democrats in rejecting the measure, which would have restricted bathroom access. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Montana’s first openly transgender legislator, won a second term last month. Read more on NPR