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A Kashmiri man walks past a shop displaying stone jewellery and Kashmiri handicrafts in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir.

A Kashmiri man walks past a shop displaying stone jewellery and Kashmiri handicrafts in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Dar Yasin/AP hide caption

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Dar Yasin/AP

Asia

Trump doubles tariffs on India, jeopardizing longstanding ties

Tensions are escalating between the U.S. and India as the Trump administration imposes tariffs and tries to force India to stop buying Russian oil.

Trump doubles tariffs on India, jeopardizing longstanding ties

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Bruce Springsteen, shown here in 1975, was on the verge of being dropped by his record label before the release of Born to Run.

Bruce Springsteen, shown here in 1975, was on the verge of being dropped by his record label before the release of Born to Run. Monty Fresco/Getty Images/Hulton Archive hide caption

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Monty Fresco/Getty Images/Hulton Archive

Music

Springsteen's label was about to drop him. Then came 'Born to Run'

Biographer Peter Ames Carlin describes the making of Born to Run as an "existential moment" for Springsteen: "If this didn't work, he was done." Carlin's new book is Tonight in Jungleland.

Springsteen's label was about to drop him. Then came 'Born to Run'

Audio will be available later today.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Wednesday. Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP hide caption

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Gavriil Grigorov/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Putin suggests meeting Trump in the United Arab Emirates, but not yet with Zelenskyy

According to a top Kremlin aide, the Trump-Putin meeting could take place as soon as next week and that a venue has been agreed upon but would be announced later.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff visits Russia for talks over Ukraine war

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This artist’s concept shows what the gas giant planet that orbits the star Alpha Centauri A could look like.

This artist's concept shows what the gas giant planet that orbits the star Alpha Centauri A could look like. R. Hurt (Caltech/IPAC)/NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI hide caption

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R. Hurt (Caltech/IPAC)/NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Science

Scientists find a planet from the Avatar movies in real life

One of the brightest stars in the night sky seems to be orbited by a planet like Jupiter. The news is sure to cheer fans of the Avatar series, which centers on a moon that orbits a fictional gas giant planet in this particular star system.
Karen Wagner, left, speaks with Rep. Mike Flood before a town hall at Kimball Recital Hall on campus at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, on August 4, 2025.

Karen Wagner, left, speaks with Rep. Mike Flood before a town hall at Kimball Recital Hall on campus at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska, on August 4, 2025.
Rebecca S. Gratz for The Washington Post/Getty Images hide caption

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Rebecca S. Gratz for The Washington Post/Getty Images

Interview highlights

Nebraska's Mike Flood got an earful from voters. He's still standing by Trump's agenda

After his town hall this week wrapping with chants of "Vote him out!" Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood told Morning Edition he understands it is "cathartic" for constituents to voice their opinions.

Nebraska’s Mike Flood got an earful from voters. He’s still stands by Trump’s agenda

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The Tibor Rubin Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.

The Tibor Rubin Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Torrance Daily Breeze/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Varley/MediaNews Group/Torrance Daily Breeze/Getty Images

Policy-ish

Congress looks to ease veterans' use of health care outside the VA

It can be difficult for veterans to use their health benefits for care outside the federal system. A bill in Congress could ease that. Opponents are wary funds being "siphoned" away from the VA.

WATCH

MIKE: Tiny Desk Concert

MIKE's set is sweeping and vulnerable, touching on all eight years of his discography with immense gratitude, family pride and a few tears.
A researcher works in the lab at the Moderna Inc. headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. Moderna has been working to develop vaccines using the mRNA technology. Earlier this year the Trump administration pulled hundreds of millions of dollars committed to the support the drugmaker's research into flu vaccines and this week it cancelled another $500 million in grants to various institutions researching mRNA vaccines.

A researcher works in the lab at the Moderna Inc. headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. Moderna has been working to develop vaccines using the mRNA technology. Earlier this year the Trump administration pulled hundreds of millions of dollars committed to the support the drugmaker's research into flu vaccines and this week it cancelled another $500 million in grants to various institutions researching mRNA vaccines. Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Images hide caption

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Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Public Health

Public health experts dismayed by RFK Jr.'s defunding of mRNA vaccine research

The Trump administration canceled about $500 million for research into mRNA vaccines. The move slows progress in using the technology to prevent a future pandemic or treat disease, experts say.

Public health experts dismayed by RFK Jr.'s defunding of mRNA vaccine research

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Rams defensive end Kobie Turner takes a sniff of smelling salts during a game against the Packers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood Sunday. The NFL has banned use of the substance for safety reasons.

Rams defensive end Kobie Turner takes a sniff of smelling salts during a game against the Packers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood Sunday. The NFL has banned use of the substance for safety reasons. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images hide caption

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Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

Your Health

The NFL banned smelling salts. Here's why

The NFL has banned the use of smelling salts during games, citing an FDA warning concerning the safety of the substance. Here's what experts say about the effects and the risks.
Kiki Ruff

Kiki Ruff Kiki Ruff hide caption

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Kiki Ruff

Food

Recession-era recipes flourish on TikTok

Influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms are going back to recession-era recipes for nutritious and filling food — and building new communities online.

Influencers on TikTok are going back to Depression era food recipes

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Flames shoot up during Dimension 20's sold-out Madison Square Garden show in January of 2025.

Flames shoot up during Dimension 20's sold-out Madison Square Garden show in January of 2025. 
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Andrew Max Levy/Dropout

Culture

It started with friends at home. Now Dungeons & Dragons is in its stadium era.

In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly.

Dungeons & Dragons live shows spawn new fans of the tabletop game

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United Airlines is having major operational difficulties with a computer system that helps determine the weight and balance of a departing aircraft. The airline is preventing all of its departures from taking off. Flights already in the air are not affected by the computer problems.

United Airlines is having major operational difficulties with a computer system that helps determine the weight and balance of a departing aircraft. The airline is preventing all of its departures from taking off. Flights already in the air are not affected by the computer problems. Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images

Business

United Airlines flights grounded nationwide because of computer problems

Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted on Wednesday evening as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage. The airline requested ground stops at its major hubs in the U.S.
Home plate umpire Jen Pawol takes her position during the first inning of a spring training baseball game between the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins Sunday, March 10, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Home plate umpire Jen Pawol takes her position during the first inning of a spring training baseball game between the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins Sunday, March 10, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Jeff Roberson/AP hide caption

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Jeff Roberson/AP

Sports

MLB's first female umpire to debut. Here's other women who broke officiating barriers

Jen Pawol will make history by becoming the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game. Here's a look at other female officials who were the first on the floor, court or the field in prominent men's leagues.
Dana is photographed where her red, chin-length hair obscures her face.

Dana began noticing personality changes within her then-14-year-old son. Then over the course of the next few months, she became aware that he was self-harming in part prompted by online communities that target vulnerable people online, including children. NPR is not using her or her son's full names because it is unclear whether individuals who may have targeted him continue their activities. Joanna Kulesza for NPR hide caption

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Joanna Kulesza for NPR

National

Nihilistic online networks groom minors to commit harm. Her son was one of them

When Dana's son was hospitalized last year, it led her to a path of discovery about predatory online networks that groom children into harming themselves and others. Their reach is global and growing.
An American mall staple, Claire's is known for its ear piercing services and brightly colored jewelry for young shoppers.

An American mall staple, Claire's is known for its ear piercing services and brightly colored jewelry for young shoppers. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

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Seth Wenig/AP

Business

Claire's, the ear-piercing tween mall staple, is bankrupt — again

The chain's bankruptcy filing is the second in seven years. Its troubles include unwieldy debt, shoppers' changing habits and new tariff costs.

Claire's, the ear-piercing tween mall staple, is bankrupt — again

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Portraits by the Oakland artist Oree Originol of three dozen people slain, mostly by law enforcement officers, were on display at protests in Oakland in 2020.

Portraits by the Oakland artist Oree Originol of three dozen people slain, mostly by law enforcement officers, were on display at protests in Oakland in 2020. Erin Baldassari/KQED hide caption

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Erin Baldassari/KQED

Thousands of once-secret police records in California are now public

 KQED

The free database, which has been in the works for seven years, promises to give anyone — including attorneys, victims of police violence, journalists and law enforcement hiring officials — insight into police shootings and officers' past behavior.
Female mountain gorillas seek out old friends when moving to a new group, a new study finds.

Female mountain gorillas seek out old friends when moving to a new group, a new study finds. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund hide caption

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Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Animals

Mountain gorillas may rely on female friendship more than previously thought

When female gorillas leave one social group and join another, they tend to seek out groups with other females that they've lived with in the past, showing the power of long-term relationships.

Study finds female mountain gorillas prefer to join 'buddies'

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A pair of hands typing on a laptop keyboard, surrounded by the floating text 'AI.' The background is light blue, and the concept revolves around artificial intelligence and modern technology. This flat illustration could represent the use of AI in digital work, automation, or innovation. Ample copy space is available for text or branding.

A pair of hands typing on a laptop keyboard, surrounded by the floating text 'AI.' The background is light blue, and the concept revolves around artificial intelligence and modern technology. This flat illustration could represent the use of AI in digital work, automation, or innovation. Ample copy space is available for text or branding. Ekaterina Goncharova/Moment RF/Getty Images hide caption

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Ekaterina Goncharova/Moment RF/Getty Images

Education

So long, study guides? The AI industry is going after students

Students are increasingly using AI tools to help with — and do — their homework. Here's how older online study services, students and professors are adapting.
A pair of 1X androids are displayed at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) at ExCel on May 30, 2023 in London, England.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: A pair of 1X androids are displayed at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) at ExCel on May 30, 2023 in London, England. The event is the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society's flagship conference and a forum for robotics researchers to present and discuss their work. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe hide caption

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Leon Neal/Getty Images Europe

Word of the week

It's 2025, the year we decided we need a widespread slur for robots

People all over TikTok and Instagram are using the word "clanker" as a catch-all for robots and AI. Here's a deep dive into the origins of the pejorative and an explanation of why it's spreading.
Designer babies, conceptual illustration.

Designer babies, conceptual illustration. VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/Science Photo Library/Getty Images hide caption

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VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Treatments

The quest to create gene-edited babies gets a reboot 

There's a fresh push to edit the genes of human embryos to prevent diseases and enhance characteristics that parents value. Bioethicists say just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done.

The quest to create genetically modified babies is getting a reboot

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President Lyndon B. Johnson moves to shake hands with Martin Luther King Jr. while others look on after Johnson signed the federal Voting Rights Act into law at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6, 1965.

President Lyndon B. Johnson moves to shake hands with Martin Luther King Jr. while others look on after Johnson signed the federal Voting Rights Act into law at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 6, 1965. Yoichi Okamoto/Lyndon B. Johnson Library hide caption

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Yoichi Okamoto/Lyndon B. Johnson Library

Elections

60 years later, Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters face new threats

Sixty years after the Voting Rights Act became a landmark law against racial discrimination, legal challenges heading to the Supreme Court could curtail its remaining protections for minority voters.

VOTING RIGHTS ACT TURNS 60

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Visitors view and photograph the Yakami Pine, one of the highest-regarded bonsai at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the U.S. National Arboretum during a weekend festival to celebrate World Bonsai Day.

Visitors view and photograph the Yakami Pine, one of the highest-regarded bonsai at the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the U.S. National Arboretum during a weekend festival to celebrate World Bonsai Day. Moriah Ratner/For NPR hide caption

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Moriah Ratner/For NPR

National

Washington honors an ancient tree that survived Hiroshima

The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum marks the 400th anniversary of the Yamaki Pine, an ancient tree that survived the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima and has since become a symbol of peace.

Oldest bonsai tree in North America turns 400

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A visitor lights incense sticks at the Peace Memorial Park ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII U.S. atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Japan.

A visitor lights incense sticks at the Peace Memorial Park ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII U.S. atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Japan. Louise Delmotte/AP hide caption

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Louise Delmotte/AP

Asia

Hiroshima survivors fear rising nuclear threat on the 80th anniversary of atomic bombing

With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, this year's anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them.
Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" sits at No. 8 on Billboard's Songs of the Summer chart, while Alex Warren’s “Ordinary" is at No. 1.

Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" sits at No. 8 on Billboard's Songs of the Summer chart, while Alex Warren's "Ordinary" is at No. 1. Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage; Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images hide caption

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Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage; Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images

Music

Do we have a song of the summer this year?

The idea that each year produces a few unofficial "songs of the summer" has been rattling around for ages. But do we have a strong contender this year?
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