Trump nominates Wall Street investor Scott Bessent as treasury secretary President-elect Trump nominated Bessent, a former protégé of George Soros to be his next treasury secretary. Read more on NPR

For the first time ever, Taliban reps were invited to the big U.N. climate conference Since the Taliban took power 2021, Afghanistan has not been invited to big climate conferences. And money for projects addressing climate-related issues has been frozen. Are things about to change? Read more on NPR

A Relationship Surviving 1,000 Days of War It has been over a thousand days since Russia began it’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The war has had huge geopolitical ramifications, but it has also has affected the lives of millions of ordinary people. Our correspondent in Kyiv tells us how the one couple in Ukraine has…

Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death has resurfaced in Europe after elaborate plot Wisconsin authorities say they have not yet issued a warrant for Ryan Borgwardt, who is believed to be somewhere in Eastern Europe. But that can change if he does not cooperate and return home soon. Read more on NPR

Jonathan Majors and ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari settle assault and defamation case In a civil lawsuit this spring, the actor’s former girlfriend alleged a “pattern of pervasive domestic abuse” in addition to defamation. Her legal team said the suit has been settled. Read more on NPR

University of Texas, MIT and others announce free tuition for some undergraduates Nearly half a dozen institutions of higher education announced plans this week to make tuition free for undergraduates whose families make below a certain income threshold, starting in fall 2025. Read more on NPR

Judge indefinitely postpones sentencing in Trump’s hush money case The decision to indefinitely adjourn next week’s sentencing date comes several days after both lawyers agreed that a stay would help sort out unprecedented legal questions. Read more on NPR

Trans health care under Trump may follow the abortion playbook and its Hyde amendment Republicans spent $222 million on anti-trans and LGBTQ advertising in the campaign. Various policy initiatives are on the incoming administration’s to-do list. Read more on NPR

6 tourists in Laos have died after drinking tainted alcohol Tourists from the U.S., Australia, Denmark and the U.K. have died. A tourism police officer said a “number of people” had been detained in the case but that no charges have yet been filed. Read more on NPR

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt discusses the DOJ move to have Google sell off Chrome Michel Martin asks former Google CEO Eric Schmidt about the government’s move to separate Google from its Chrome browser and the future of artificial intelligence as envisioned in the book “Genesis.” Read more on NPR