Japanese crime leader pleads guilty to conspiring to sell nuclear materials to Iran Prosecutors said samples of the alleged nuclear material was weapons-grade, meaning enough of it would be suitable for use in a nuclear weapon. Read more on NPR

Justice Department accuses 6 major landlords of keeping rents high The lawsuit arrives as U.S. renters continue to struggle. The latest figures show that half of American renters spent more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities in 2022, an all-time high. Read more on NPR

The NHL postpones a game and the Lakers coach evacuates his family amid LA fires The fires burning across Los Angeles have affected tens of thousands of people, including athletes and staff for the city’s sports teams. Pasadena’s iconic Rose Bowl was under evacuation warning. Read more on NPR

‘Raining ash’: Residents share how they fled the Southern California wildfires Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate amid the uncontained wildfires. NPR member station LAist spoke to members of the community about how they have been affected. Read more on NPR

Fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades as a major wildfire raged Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said the fight to contain the flames has put immense strain on the system. Read more on NPR

Is Democracy Holding Up in South Korea? Authorities in South Korea are continuing to try to arrest impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, following his failed declaration of martial law over a month ago. As the country continues to be mired in political crisis, analyst are studying the health of the country’s democracy. And…

Wildfires displace thousands and ravage greater Los Angeles Extremely dry conditions coupled with high winds have led to an explosive wildfire situation in southern California. Multiple fires have erupted across the Los Angeles area since Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate, and firefighters are struggling to contain the flames. Adria Kloke…

In D.C.’s bitter cold, a homeless shelter offers hot food and some hope NPR visited a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C., to see how residents and staff are faring during a cold emergency. The shelter is busy year-round, though the frigid weather brings in more people. Read more on NPR

How to get more movement into your screen-filled life. No gym required. Research shows that 5-minute walking breaks every half hour offset the harm of too much sitting. But that is easier said than done. These 5 tips can help you maintain movement throughout your day. Read more on NPR

What are the Santa Ana winds and how are they impacting the L.A. wildfires? Although the Santa Anas are a routine part of life for people living in southern California, the winds are particularly violent and destructive this time around, experts say. Read more on NPR