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This frame grab from video released by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows Israeli navy soldiers aboard one of the flotilla's vessels after it was intercepted as it approached the coast of Gaza early Thursday.

This frame grab from video released by the Global Sumud Flotilla shows Israeli navy soldiers aboard one of the flotilla's vessels after it was intercepted as it approached the coast of Gaza early Thursday. Global Sumud Flotilla/AP hide caption

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Global Sumud Flotilla/AP

Middle East conflict

The Israeli navy intercepts most of a Gaza-bound flotilla's boats and arrests activists

Israeli navy forces boarded most of the vessels and detained dozens of activists and a number of European lawmakers aboard a flotilla bringing aid to Gaza, drawing condemnation from around the world.
A collage with photos of someone filling up their car with gas, a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in Disney World and a suitcase next to a hotel bed.

Rising costs are causing a lot of Americans to think twice before booking a vacation. Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR hide caption

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Getty Images/Emily Bogle/NPR

Cost of Living

How rising costs are changing the way Americans travel

Rising costs are causing a lot of Americans to think twice before booking a trip. And many who do travel are scaling back their ambitions and staying closer to home.

Rising costs are changing the way Americans travel

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As detentions and deportation continue across the country, immigrant families are scrambling to make emergency plans for their U.S. citizen children.

As detentions and deportation continue across the country, immigrant families are scrambling to make emergency plans for their U.S. citizen children.
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Charlotte Gomez for NPR

National

What happens to the kids? Fearing deportation, immigrant parents make contingency plans

More than 4 million U.S. families have mixed immigration status. As the Trump administration continues to ramp up deportations, many of these families are preparing emergency plans.

Fearing deportation, families with mixed immigration status make emergency plans

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Lucia Graves says her family can afford to eat healthier because of WIC benefits for her daughter and stepdaughter.

Lucia Graves says her family can afford to eat healthier because of WIC benefits for her daughter and stepdaughter. Courtesy of Lucia Graves hide caption

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Courtesy of Lucia Graves

2025 government shutdown

The federal shutdown puts nutrition aid for millions of new parents at risk

Nearly seven million pregnant women and young children depend on WIC for healthy foods. Advocates say funding could run out in about two weeks, leaving states to close the gap if their budgets allow.

Government shutdown puts nutrition program that helps mothers and children at risk

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WATCH

Rubio: Tiny Desk Concert

Rubio's electronic-pop music is full of ambient sound, but at the Tiny Desk, her flow is reborn. In these sweeping arrangements, she casts a new spell.
Cardi B's Am I the Drama? was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on the day of its release.

Cardi B's Am I the Drama? was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on the day of its release. Taylor Hill/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Taylor Hill/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

Music

Cardi B's new album, already double platinum, debuts at No. 1

Thanks to the inclusion of several gigantic hits like "WAP" and "Up" that had never appeared on an album, Cardi B's Am I the Drama? was guaranteed platinum status before it was even released.

Cardi B’s new album, already double platinum, debuts at No. 1

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Sean Combs is scheduled to appear in federal courtroom in New York on Friday to face sentencing for his conviction on prostitution related charges.

Sean Combs is scheduled to appear in federal courtroom in New York on Friday to face sentencing for his conviction on prostitution related charges. Mike Coppola/Getty Images hide caption

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Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Sean Combs trial

Sean Combs, in custody for a year, will face sentencing on a split verdict

The music mogul, who was convicted on two counts of transportation for prostitution but acquitted of more serious charges, will be in court on Friday, Oct. 3 for a sentencing hearing.
Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson Eric Zachanowich/A24 hide caption

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Eric Zachanowich/A24

Movie Interviews

'The Rock' returns as 'The Smashing Machine' (and says his mom will love this interview)

The former WWE wrestler considered pursuing a career in mixed martial arts before realizing, "I don't like getting punched in the face." Johnson plays MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a new film.

FA: Dwayne Johnson

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Clockwise from top left: Jane Fonda, John Legend, Ben Stiller, Whoopi Goldberg, Billie Eilish, Spike Lee

Clockwise from top left: Jane Fonda, John Legend, Ben Stiller, Whoopi Goldberg, Billie Eilish, Spike Lee Neilson Barnard; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy; David Livingston; Dia Dipasupil; Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld; Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival/Getty Images hide caption

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Neilson Barnard; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy; David Livingston; Dia Dipasupil; Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld; Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival/Getty Images

Politics

Hundreds of celebrities relaunch a McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech

The Committee for the First Amendment first launched in the 1940s, when the House Un-American Activities Committee accused Hollywood actors, directors and writers of being communists or sympathizers.

Hundreds of celebrities relaunch McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech

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British primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall's decades of research on chimpanzees in the wild changed perceptions of relations between humans and animals.

British primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall's decades of research on chimpanzees in the wild changed perceptions of relations between humans and animals. Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images

Science

Jane Goodall, legendary primatologist, has died at age 91

Jane Goodall, primatologist who transformed our understanding of the lives of apes, has died, according to an announcement from the Jane Goodall Institute.

GOODALL, JANE

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A protester holds a placard during a demonstration against repeated water and electricity outages in Antananarivo on September 27, 2025.

A protester holds a placard during a demonstration against repeated water and electricity outages in Antananarivo on September 27, 2025. RIJASOLO/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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RIJASOLO/AFP via Getty Images

Africa

From Madagascar to Morocco: Gen Z protests shake Africa

Gen Z-led protests in two diverse African countries highlight frustration over years of poor governance. Fueled by social media, these youth movements are demanding accountability.

From Madagascar to Morocco: Gen Z demands change through protests in Africa

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Kaomi Holmes, 10 days old, sleeps in her crib at her home in Greenville, Miss. She was was delivered by emergency cesarian section four weeks before reaching full term.

Kaomi Holmes, 10 days old, sleeps in her crib at her home in Greenville, Miss. She was delivered by emergency cesarian section and weighed 4.5 pounds at birth. Jared Ragland/for NPR hide caption

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Jared Ragland/for NPR

Shots - Health News

What Mississippi's infant mortality crisis says about the risks of Medicaid cuts

Mississippi recently declared a public health emergency because its infant mortality rate has surged. And with Medicaid cuts coming, experts fear the crisis may worsen in other states.

On the frontlines of Mississippi’s infant mortality crisis

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Dan Jones stands in his living room Wednesday, where his personal items can be seen scattered and mixed with strangers' belongings. ICE raided and detained migrants during a night operation at his Chicago apartment building.

Dan Jones stands in his living room Wednesday, where his personal items can be seen scattered and mixed with strangers' belongings. ICE raided and detained migrants during a night operation at his Chicago apartment building. Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times hide caption

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Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times

A massive immigration raid on a Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling

 WBEZ

In the aftermath of the raid, hallways were crowded with toys, shoes, food and broken doors, and dozens of neighbors were missing. Nearly every apartment was impacted in the five-story building. U.S. citizens were among those detained for hours.
A new study found that artificial intelligence could design DNA for all kinds of dangerous proteins, and do it in such a way that DNA manufacturers' biosecurity screening measures would not reliably catch them.

A new study found that artificial intelligence could design DNA for all kinds of dangerous proteins, and do it in such a way that DNA manufacturers' biosecurity screening measures would not reliably catch them. Malte Mueller/fStoap/Getty Images hide caption

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Malte Mueller/fStoap/Getty Images

Science

AI designs for dangerous DNA can slip past biosecurity measures, study shows

Companies that make DNA for science labs screen out any requests for dangerous bits of genetic material. But a new study shows how AI could help malevolent actors get the stuff anyway.
This summer, the "Flonduran" corals were planted on reefs off Miami. Researchers are eager to see how they fared during the hottest months when other corals were bleaching.

This summer, the "Flonduran" corals were planted on reefs off Miami. Researchers are eager to see how they fared during the hottest months when other corals were bleaching. University of Miami Rosenstiel School hide caption

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University of Miami Rosenstiel School

Climate

Why scientists are using corals from other countries to help save Florida's reefs

The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries.

Scientists are breeding corals to withstand Florida's heat to combat climate change

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Homes are engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 8.

Homes are engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 8. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Investigations

Hours before the Eaton fire, distribution lines failed and a fire started in Altadena

Transmission lines have been linked to the start of the Eaton fire in January. But another kind of line — distribution lines that power homes — were also wreaking havoc before that fire sparked.

Hours before the Eaton fire, distribution lines failed and fire started in Altadena

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"Maine Needs" volunteer Lee Cooper stands near bags of filled orders, ready for providers to pick up for clients

"Maine Needs" volunteer Lee Cooper stands near bags of filled orders, ready for providers to pick up for clients

Patty Wight hide caption

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Patty Wight

Here to Help

Volunteering at 'Maine Needs' brings connection to community

Lee Cooper finds purpose and a sense of community in his volunteer job at Maine Needs, a group that provides clothing for people in need.

Volunteering at 'Maine Needs' brings connection to community

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Studio photograph showing a blue paper umbrella propped up in a mound of coins on sand in front of a pink and orange gradient backdrop
Photograph by Tsering Bista and Beck Harlan

Life Kit

5 money-draining mistakes travelers make when planning a vacation

People get a lot wrong when it comes to paying for vacation, say travel experts, and that can cost serious cash. Here's how to plan a trip that's safe, adventurous and under budget.

How to travel on a budget

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Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., speaks during a news conference with fellow New Democrat Coalition members outside the U.S. Capitol on May 19, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., speaks during a news conference with fellow New Democrat Coalition members outside the U.S. Capitol on May 19, 2021, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Top Kansas Republicans move toward redistricting out the state's only Democrat in Congress

 KCUR 89.3

As President Trump's redistricting fight spreads across the country, Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have taken the first concrete steps to unseat U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat.
The image shows a bar chart with polling data. The question asked was "The U.S. has gone too far in.." with 79 percent saying restricting free speech and 19 percent saying expanding free speech.


In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, nearly 80 percent of respondents say the U.S. has gone too far in restricting free speech Rahul Mukherjee/NPR hide caption

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Rahul Mukherjee/NPR

Politics

A poll finds a growing agreement that political violence may be necessary to right the country

On hot button issues, a majority say children should be vaccinated; controlling gun violence is more important than gun rights; and Epstein files should be released, in a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll.

New poll finds more people would blame Republicans for government shutdown

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Two rabbits peering out of top hats belonging to Magic Circle magician Gus Davenport, at the Scala Theatre in London in 1951.

Two rabbits peering out of top hats belonging to Magic Circle magician Gus Davenport, at the Scala Theatre in London in 1951. Ron Burton/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Ron Burton/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Word of the week

Fool me once: the magical origin of the word hoax

Frauds, swindles, cons, scams, and deceptions are collectively known as hoaxes. But there's more than meets the eye.

Fool me once: the magical origin of the word hoax

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