8-year-old tames (wooden) lion in Queens, New York Maykol Fares embarked on a perilous journey to ask for asylum in the US. Now he faces a new test of courage: the Merry-Go-Round. Read more on NPR

China ends most international adoptions, leaving many children, families in limbo China’s Foreign Ministry says the only exception will be for families who are adopting the children or stepchildren of blood relatives in China. Read more on NPR

Climate Solutions Week: The future of food Climate change is affecting our food, and our food is affecting the climate. NPR is dedicating a week to stories and conversations about the search for solutions, from how we farm to what we cook to reducing food waste. Read more on NPR

Red Lobster off the hook? Federal judge approves restructuring plan The restaurant chain announced Thursday that it received approval for its Chapter 11 plan, offering a glimmer of good news for the business, which has faced a series of struggles Read more on NPR

Drugmakers say obesity medicine shortages are easing, but patients struggle to fill prescriptions The drug companies behind blockbuster weight loss and diabetes treatments have signaled that supply problems could soon be over, but many patients still have trouble getting the medicines.  Read more on NPR

A French woman whose husband is accused of inviting men to rape her testifies in court Gisèle Pélicot detailed the horror of discovering that her former spouse had systematically filmed the dozens of suspected rapes — storing thousands of images that police investigators later found. Read more on NPR

Whatever happened to … the Gaza neurosurgeon who faced a wrenching decision Husam Abukhedeir, the chief neurosurgeon at Al-Shifa Hospital, helped the injured, watched many died, including his sister, then knew what he had to do to protect his family. How is he faring today? Read more on NPR

Ali Truwit swims to Paralympic silver a year after losing her leg in a shark attack Ali Truwit’s lower leg was amputated after a shark bit her during a post-graduation trip last May. This week, she won Paralympic silver and set a new American record in the women’s 400 meter free S10. Read more on…

10 more clever and commonsense ways to save money on groceries Check your receipt. Grow your own veggies. Ask about senior discounts. NPR readers share their top tips on cutting costs at the grocery store. Read more on NPR

Lilla Lanivich, 14, of Rochester Hills, Mich., wins NPR podcast contest The middle school winner of NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge tells how her golden retriever, Lopez, helped restore her independence. Read more on NPR