Nora Rahm

A daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned from her role as an opposition member of parliament amid a scandal involving the sending of mercenaries to Russia.

Kate Bartlett reports 17 South Africans are pleading to be brought home.

Today is Black Friday, their traditional start to the holiday shopping season, which retailers hope will put them in the black for the year.

The National Retail Federation expects sales to top $1 trillion for the first time.

But a recent report from the conference board

finds consumer confidence has fallen.

NPR's Alina Selyuk explains.

NPR's Alina Selyuk reporting.

Stocks rose today in a shortened session.

All the major indexes gained ground.

This is NPR News in Washington.

The death toll continues to rise in Hong Kong where a major fire swept through a high-rise apartment complex Wednesday.

Officials now say at least 128 people died and that number could rise.

About 200 people are missing.

So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the fire.

Americans and other non-European visitors to the Louvre can expect a price hike starting next year, as the world's most visited museum is looking to help finance a major renovation.

Rebecca Rosman has more.

The Grand Ole Opry turned 100 today.

The country music radio broadcast debuted on this date in 1925 in Nashville, Tennessee.

It launched the careers of some of the biggest stars, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline.