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People gather at the hostage square to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander release from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

People gather at the hostage square to watch a live broadcast of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander release from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Maya Levin for NPR hide caption

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Maya Levin for NPR

Middle East crisis — explained

Hamas has released U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, held in Gaza since 2023

Edan Alexander, an Israeli soldier raised in New Jersey, is believed to be the last living U.S. citizen captured by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Four other Americans' bodies are still held in Gaza.
Documents unearthed from wooden crates in the basement of Argentina's top court included Nazi notebooks, photographs and postcards.

Documents unearthed from wooden crates in the basement of Argentina's top court included Nazi notebooks, photographs and postcards. ULAN/Pool/Latin America News Agency via Reuters hide caption

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ULAN/Pool/Latin America News Agency via Reuters

World

A trove of forgotten Nazi documents is found in Argentina's Supreme Court basement

Inside boxes found in the basement were documents "intended to consolidate and propagate Adolf Hitler's ideology in Argentina," the court said. Supreme Court president Horacio Rosatti has ordered a review.
President Trump walks off Air Force One on April 29 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Qatar has offered to replace Air Force One with a luxury Boeing 747 jet.

President Trump walks off Air Force One on April 29 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Qatar has offered to replace Air Force One with a luxury Boeing 747 jet. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Politics

Ethics experts worry about the implications of Trump accepting Qatar's luxury plane

Experts tell NPR the gift violates the Foreign Emoluments Clause and raises questions about what Qatar might expect from Trump in return. It's not clear whether critics in Congress can stop it from happening.
Some chefs have switched from plastic cutting boards to wooden alternatives. One study of plastic cutting boards found that they shed as many as dozens of grams of microplastics per person per year.

Some chefs have switched from plastic cutting boards to wooden alternatives. One study of plastic cutting boards found that they shed as many as dozens of grams of microplastics per person per year. MyImages_Micha/Getty Images/iStockphoto hide caption

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MyImages_Micha/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Health

Should you toss your plastic kitchen tools for health reasons? Here's the scoop

Some of the microplastics we ingest may come from the kitchen tools we use to prepare what we eat. If you want to reduce your reliance on plastic, here are some ideas.
Newly arrived South Africans listen to representatives from Homeland Security and the State Department deliver welcome statements in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Va.

Newly arrived South Africans listen to representatives from Homeland Security and the State Department deliver welcome statements in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Va. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Immigration

First Afrikaners arrive in U.S. under radically redrawn refugee program

The refugees were admitted to the U.S. after an executive order from President Trump, and under an expedited and unconventional process for the U.S. refugee resettlement program.

WATCH

Beth Gibbons: Tiny Desk Concert

There's an invitation in these songs, largely pulled from her 2024 release "Lives Outgrown," to bear witness to Gibbons' own tragedy and transformation.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on May 8, 2025, in New York City.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the opening bell on May 8, 2025, in New York City. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Economy

Stocks soar after U.S. and China agree to temporarily slash tariffs

Stocks rallied after the U.S. and China said they would slash tariffs on each other's imports for 90 days.

Stocks soar after U.S. and China agree to temporarily slash tariffs

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French actor Gerard Depardieu leaves for a break during his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021

French actor Gerard Depardieu leaves for a break during his trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021. Aurelien Morissard/AP hide caption

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Aurelien Morissard/AP

Europe

Gérard Depardieu faces verdict in sexual assault trial seen as #MeToo test

Women's rights advocates say the case is about whether France's justice system is truly ready to reckon with sexual violence.

Gérard Depardieu faces trial verdict on sexual assault charges

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A vendor pushes his cart across a road in Srinagar on Monday. The frontier between India and Pakistan had the "first calm night in recent days," the Indian army said on May 12, after a weekend ceasefire.

A vendor pushes his cart across a road in Srinagar on Monday. The frontier between India and Pakistan had the "first calm night in recent days," the Indian army said on May 12, after a weekend ceasefire. SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images/AFP hide caption

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SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images/AFP

World

India-Pakistan ceasefire holds for a 2nd day

The ceasefire has halted what some analysts say was the most serious fighting between the two countries since a 1971 war. But India's recent suspension of a key water-sharing treaty remains in place.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan speaks during a press conference ahead of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in Paris, Jan. 24, 2020. Jordan is considering selling the Charlotte Hornets. The six-time NBA champion is in negotiations to sell at least a portion of the franchise to a group that includes Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan speaks during a press conference ahead of an NBA basketball game between the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in Paris, Jan. 24, 2020. Jordan is considering selling the Charlotte Hornets. The six-time NBA champion is in negotiations to sell at least a portion of the franchise to a group that includes Hornets minority owner Gabe Plotkin. Thibault Camus/AP hide caption

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Thibault Camus/AP

Sports

Michael Jordan joins NBC as the network revives its NBA coverage

It has been over 20 years since NBC had rights to broadcast NBA games. Its last run was during the 90s, which coincided with Michael Jordan's reign over basketball.
Attendees hold inverted U.S. flags, a sign of distress, during a rally organized by the Bar Association of San Francisco in support of attorneys and law firms targeted by President Donald Trump on May 1.

Attendees hold inverted U.S. flags, a sign of distress, during a rally organized by the Bar Association of San Francisco in support of attorneys and law firms targeted by President Donald Trump on May 1. Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images hide caption

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Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Law

A race to lead the D.C. lawyers' association grows heated amid attacks on law firms

More than 30,000 people have already voted in the election for the president of the D.C. Bar Association, more than triple the previous record set in 1990.

D.C. Bar Association election gets outsized attention as lawyers face Trump attacks

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A worker bathes a racehorses on the backside of a horse racing track in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2025.

A worker bathes a racehorses on the backside of a horse racing track in Louisville, Ky., on April 30, 2025. Lydia Schweickart for NPR hide caption

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Lydia Schweickart for NPR

Deep Dive

Immigration

As Trump aims to deport millions, one pathway to legal status gets bigger

A Biden-era rule eases the path for workers to be sponsored for U.S. permanent residency, an attractive option for those in horse-racing looking for a competitive edge.

A Biden-era DHS ruling makes it easier for temporary workers to get green cards

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Lindsey Williamson learned about efficient heat pump water heaters on a home improvement television show. However, “My main problem was finding somebody locally who could actually install what I was looking for,” Williamson says.

Lindsey Williamson learned about efficient heat pump water heaters on a home improvement television show. However, "My main problem was finding somebody locally who could actually install what I was looking for," Williamson says. Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption

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Climate

Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A 'coach' can help

Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.

Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? These 'coaches' can help

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Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Politics

Trump is looking to use the IRS for his own political ends. Nixon tried it too

President Trump is looking to use the IRS to achieve some of his political goals. Some experts see parallels with Nixon's efforts to interfere with the agency.

Trump is looking to use the IRS for his own political ends. Nixon tried it, too

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A visitor takes a photo at the Museum of Survivors, located in a factory where Oskar Schindler saved some 1200 Jews during WWII, in Brnenec, Czech Republic, on May 10, 2025.

A visitor takes a photo at the Museum of Survivors, located in a factory where Oskar Schindler saved some 1200 Jews during WWII, in Brnenec, Czech Republic, on May 10. Petr David Josek/AP hide caption

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Petr David Josek/AP

Europe

Museum opens in Czech Republic at site where Oskar Schindler saved 1,200 Jews

The former textile factory in the town of Brněnec was stolen by the Nazis from its Jewish owners in 1938 and turned into a concentration camp. This weekend it welcomed the first visitors to the Museum of Survivors.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Sean Combs speaks onstage during the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for DJ Khaled on April 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Sean Combs speaks onstage during the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for DJ Khaled on April 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Sean Combs trial

Sean Combs' jury has been selected. The trial is officially underway

After a brief delay, the jurors and alternates for the mogul's trial for racketeering conspiracy and prostitution have been set. The trial is expected to last eight weeks.
Pope Leo XIV arrives for an audience with thousands of journalists and media workers at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. The audience with journalists has become a tradition among newly elected popes.

Pope Leo XIV arrives for an audience with thousands of journalists and media workers at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City. The audience with journalists has become a tradition among newly elected popes. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images hide caption

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Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Conclave 2025

Pope Leo XIV asks journalists to use communication as a tool for peace

The remarks come just one day after the pope called for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine.
An unhoused resident carefully folds a blanket while packing up his encampment in the Tenderloin in San Francisco on Aug. 8, 2024. To urge more California cities and counties to ban encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom released a model ordinance on Monday to use as a template for barring camping on public property.

An unhoused resident carefully folds a blanket while packing up his encampment in the Tenderloin in San Francisco on Aug. 8, 2024. To urge more California cities and counties to ban encampments, Gov. Gavin Newsom released a model ordinance on Monday to use as a template for barring camping on public property. Martin do Nascimento/KQED hide caption

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Martin do Nascimento/KQED

Newsom pushes cities to ban homeless encampments across California

 KQED

Gov. Gavin Newsom can't force cities to adopt a model ordinance barring camping on public property, but the new guidance is paired with the release of $3.3 billion in new funding that cities could use to implement it.
A team of researchers recorded thousands of vocalizations made by wild chimpanzees in the Taï National Park in Ivory Coast.

A team of researchers recorded thousands of vocalizations made by wild chimpanzees in the Taï National Park in Ivory Coast.
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Liran Samuni/Taï Chimpanzee Project

Science

Chimps' rhythmic drumming and complex calls hint at the origins of human language

Two studies of wild chimps point to the evolutionary roots of human language. The studies found that chimp communication often relies on rhythmic structures and call combinations.

Chimp communication

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President Trump and Vice President Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28. Researchers are testing AI's potential for coming up with agreements to end the war in Ukraine.

President Trump and Vice President Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 28. Researchers are testing AI's potential for coming up with agreements to end the war in Ukraine. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

National Security

Is AI the future of America's foreign policy? Some experts think so

Large language models like ChatGPT and DeepSeek are increasingly being looked at for their potential to help make decisions in high-stakes situations.
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