Michel Martin

The Security Council is the United Nations' most powerful body, with the ability to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. There are five permanent members of the council: Russia, France, China, the U.S and Britain. And any one of those permanent members can veto council resolutions. The U.S. is proposing expanding the number of permanent members, including two permanent seats for African countries. We talk to the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. about the proposal.

And Seoul, South Korea is such a massive city, residents looking to experience nature can face a long journey to reach the countryside. As a result, the city's parks are catering to urban campers who want to sleep outdoors closer to home. We meet some of them.

In April, Iran and Israel traded attacks and came close to full-on war. Now Iran's government is in transition — while Israel's is in turmoil.

No survivors have been found at the site of the helicopter crash that carried Iran's president, the country's foreign minister and other officials, Iranian state media reports.

State media in Iran reports the president has died in a helicopter crash. The news is being closely watched in Israel. And, a hearing could decided if Julian Assange is extradited to the U.S.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York says a growing number of card user are falling behind on their monthly credit card bills. Fallout from years of rising prices and high interest rates.

Russian President Putin heads to China for a two-day summit. Nearly one out of five credit card users have maxed out on their borrowing. Wildfire season is underway in Mexico and Canada.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China for a state visit this week. The invitation from his Chinese counterpart marks the first international trip of Putin's new term.

Donald Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen is set to be cross-examined Tuesday in the criminal trial of the former president.

Ukraine struggles to repel a Russian offensive along the northeastern border. President Biden is to announce new tariffs on Chinese imports. Gangs from China and Mexico flood U. S. with fentanyl.

We hear from one of the Haiti's most powerful gang leaders. Michael Cohen will take the stand in ex-President Trump's New York criminal trial. As it attacks areas in Gaza, Israel marks Memorial Day.

Haiti's capital has been relatively calm in recently ahead of the anticipated deployment of an international security force lead by Kenyans aimed to bring order to a city crippled by gang violence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday will be inaugurated to another six-year term. Most European Union countries are boycotting the ceremony.

Israeli forces take control of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Russian President Putin is being inaugurated for a fifth term. The House could vote soon to oust Speaker Johnson.

An Israeli tank brigade has seized control of the Gaza Strip side of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Colleges are gearing up for graduation as some students continue to protest the Israel-Hamas war.

So far in the New York criminal trial against former President Donald Trump, the court has heard from nine witnesses. What are the big takeaways so far and who will take the stand this week?

The Israeli military urges civilians to leave Rafah. China's president begins a five-day European tour. NASA and Boeing are set to launch astronauts to the International Space Station Monday night.

President Biden finally broke his silence on student protests over the Israel-Hamas war and conditions in Gaza, an issue that has caught him in a political bind.

Across the country lawmakers are getting tougher on youth crime but some states like Maryland are taking a dual approach. NPR's Michel Martin explores the Thrive Academy, a new juvenile rehab program.

Closing arguments have begun in the Justice Department's antitrust case against Google. At issue is whether Google has illegally monopolized the search engine market.