https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news National & World News en-US Copyright Wed, 13 May 2026 11:03:01 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/war-in-iran-costs-29-billion-so-far-and-students-are-finally-improving-in-math Pentagon officials told Congress they estimate the war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far. And, a new Education Scorecard shows U.S. students are improving in math. Wed, 13 May 2026 11:03:01 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/war-in-iran-costs-29-billion-so-far-and-students-are-finally-improving-in-math Brittney Melton https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/putin-hails-russias-test-launch-of-a-new-ballistic-missile Russia test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile as part of efforts to modernize its nuclear forces. The nuclear-armed Sarmat missile would enter combat service at the end of the year. Wed, 13 May 2026 10:20:42 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/putin-hails-russias-test-launch-of-a-new-ballistic-missile The Associated Press https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-and-white-as-iran-war-depletes-ink-supply The packaging on some snacks is turning black-and-white, as the war in Iran disrupts the supply of an ingredient used in colored ink. Calbee's chips originally came in a bright-orange bag. Wed, 13 May 2026 10:13:46 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/japanese-snack-packages-turning-black-and-white-as-iran-war-depletes-ink-supply The Associated Press https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/some-minneapolis-donors-have-moved-on-the-immigrants-waiting-for-help-havent During Operation Metro Surge, mutual aid efforts raised millions of dollars. But with most agents gone and increasing fatigue from the community, funds are drying up and people are moving on. Immigrants are not. Wed, 13 May 2026 10:10:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/some-minneapolis-donors-have-moved-on-the-immigrants-waiting-for-help-havent Sergio Martínez-Beltrán https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/an-intimate-look-at-one-military-familys-life-on-pause-as-the-iran-war-continues Military life has always involved some degree of uncertainty. But for many families, the fear and unknowns that come with the Iran war are new territory. Wed, 13 May 2026 09:01:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/an-intimate-look-at-one-military-familys-life-on-pause-as-the-iran-war-continues Juliana Kim https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/is-the-u-s-slipping-into-competitive-authoritarianism What form of government do we have in America now? Some scholars say it is no longer liberal democracy, but "competitive authoritarianism." NPR's Frank Langfitt explains the term and its origin. Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/is-the-u-s-slipping-into-competitive-authoritarianism Frank Langfitt https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/how-the-trump-administration-has-undermined-the-fight-against-public-corruption At least 15 former elected officials and co-conspirators with corruption offenses have been pardoned by President Trump in the last year, undermining the fight against public corruption. Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/how-the-trump-administration-has-undermined-the-fight-against-public-corruption Ryan Lucas https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/short-flights-are-popular-will-they-last Some flights are less than 100 miles, and they're the backbone of the U.S. air system, linking small towns and big cities. But short routes were in decline even before jet fuel costs spiked. Wed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/short-flights-are-popular-will-they-last Bill Chappell https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/french-hantavirus-patient-is-critically-ill-as-outbreak-grows-to-11 A French woman infected in the deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is critically ill and being treated with an artificial lung. The outbreak has now reached 11 total reported cases, 9 of which have been confirmed. Wed, 13 May 2026 07:31:20 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/french-hantavirus-patient-is-critically-ill-as-outbreak-grows-to-11 The Associated Press https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/4-8m-settlement-reached-over-louisiana-traffic-stop-death-ap-sources-say Louisiana officials have agreed to a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist who died during a violent roadside arrest carried out by five white officers. Wed, 13 May 2026 07:09:41 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/national-world-news/2026-05-13/4-8m-settlement-reached-over-louisiana-traffic-stop-death-ap-sources-say The Associated Press