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French Ambassador to the United Nations Nicolas de Rivière (center) and other representatives raise their hands in favor of a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza during a U.N. Security Council meeting in New York on Friday. The U.S. vetoed it. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. has vetoed a Gaza cease-fire resolution in the U.N. Security Council

The United States was the only country to vote against a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

In this photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the U.S. waited in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas, in June 2018. U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP hide caption

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP

Federal judge prohibits separating migrant families at the border

The settlement says migrant families cannot be separated at the border for the next eight years, a policy of the Trump administration. Around 1,000 children remain separated from their parents.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas professors Naoko Takemaru (left), Cha-Jan "Jerry" Chang and Patricia Navarro-Velez were killed during a shooting on campus on Wednesday. Takemaru oversaw UNLV's Japanese Studies program while Chang and Navarro-Velez were both professors in the business school. University of Nevada, Las Vegas hide caption

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University of Nevada, Las Vegas

3 UNLV faculty members were killed in the Las Vegas campus shooting

Authorities said that the shooting suspect mailed letters to University of Nevada, Las Vegas employees across the country and that at least one letter contained a harmless unidentified white powder.

Ryan Roth's single vote made all the difference. Ryan Roth hide caption

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Ryan Roth

He won his seat on council by a single vote — which he cast himself

Every election we're told that each vote counts. Ryan Roth, the newly-elected city council member for Rainier, Wash., is now proof that it does.

He won his seat on council by a single vote — which he cast himself

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Skiers participate in last year's "Santa Sunday" event at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine. Marina French/Sunday River hide caption

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Marina French/Sunday River

Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats

Here's how communities across the U.S. put their own spin on Christmas, Hanukkah and even Festivus celebrations — from Santas who ski and surf, to trees made of tumbleweed, sand and lobster traps.

Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats

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Ethan Crumbley stands with his attorneys Paulette Loftin (left) and Amy Hopp during his senencing hearing in Pontiac, Mich. Parents of students killed at Michigan's Oxford High School described the anguish of losing their children Friday as a judge considered whether Crumbley would serve a life sentence for the 2021 mass shooting. Carlos Osorio/AP hide caption

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Carlos Osorio/AP

Michigan high school shooter sentenced to life in prison without parole

WDET

A Michigan judge hands down a life without parole sentence for the teenager who shot and killed fellow students and wounded others at Oxford High School in 2021.

Michigan high school shooter sentenced to Life in Prison without Parole

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Opening night at La Scala theater, in Milan Italy, Thursday Dec. 7, 2023. The tradition of Italian opera singing is among the 55 cultural practices to be inscribed to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List this year. Luca Bruno/AP hide caption

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Luca Bruno/AP

55 cultural practices added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

More than 70 countries put forward nominations aimed at safeguarding a wide variety of diverse and unique traditions at a meeting in Botswana this week.

"I'm ecstatic. It's a blessing that they approved this therapy," said Victoria Gray, the first person in the U.S. to undergo CRISPR gene-editing for sickle cell, of the Food and Drug Administration's decision. Orlando Gili hide caption

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Orlando Gili

FDA approves the first gene-editing treatment for a human illness

The Food and Drug Administration approved two genetic treatments for sickle cell disease, including one that uses gene-editing. The approvals offer hope for patients and signal a new medical era.

A woman is facing charges after pouring what appears to be gasoline on the porch of the Queen Anne style house in Atlanta where Martin Luther King Jr. spent the first 12 years of his life. The home was not damaged. Historic American Buildings Survey/ Library of Congress hide caption

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Historic American Buildings Survey/ Library of Congress

Visitors to Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home stop a woman from setting fire to it

"That action saved an important part of American history tonight," Atlanta's police chief told media gathered at the scene late Thursday.

In Poor Things, Emma Stone stars as Bella Baxter, a woman created as part of a back-from-the-dead mad science experiment. Atsushi Nishijima/Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Atsushi Nishijima/Searchlight Pictures

Unhinged yet uplifting, 'Poor Things' is an un-family-friendly 'Barbie'

Fresh Air

Emma Stone stars as an adult woman with the anarchic spirit of a very young child in a strangely touching film that's filled with transgressive sex, sadistic power games and grisly violence.

A Brightline train during its inaugural trip between Miami and West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2018. This week, the White House announced $3 billion in funding for Brightline West, a proposed high-speed rail line connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

High-speed rail projects get a $6 billion infusion of federal infrastructure money

The White House hopes to jumpstart high-speed rail in the U.S. with money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Much of the funding announced this week will go to projects in Nevada and California.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., listens to fellow speakers before President Joe Biden speaks during an event at SUNY Westchester Community College, May 10, 2023, in Valhalla, N.Y. John Minchillo/AP hide caption

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John Minchillo/AP

House votes to censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman for pulling fire alarm

Since January, the chamber has seen the removal of a member from a committee, the first ouster of a speaker in history and the expulsion of a lawmaker for only the third time since the Civil War.

Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek, left, discusses Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed 2020-21 revised state budget during a hearing the state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., May 26, 2020. On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, Petek said California is facing a $68 billion budget deficit. Rich Pedroncelli/AP hide caption

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Rich Pedroncelli/AP

California faces record $68 billion budget deficit, analyst says

The nation's most populous state — with an economy that is the fifth largest in the world — has been struggling with the rising prices of most goods and services.

The Lesser-Known Candidate Forum featured 20 of the people who will be on the New Hampshire primary ballot, including (l to r) Donald Picard, Paperboy Love Prince, Richard Rist and Vermin Supreme. Tamara Keith/NPR hide caption

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Tamara Keith/NPR

A postcard from the Lesser-Known Candidate Forum, a New Hampshire primary tradition

In New Hampshire, it's relatively easy to get your name on the presidential primary ballot — so there's a slew of lesser-known candidates seeking a spotlight for ideas and, well, performance art.

A postcard from the Lesser-Known Candidate Forum, a New Hampshire primary tradition

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Spotify Wrapped endures despite privacy concerns surrounding the data it collects from users. Screenshot by NPR/Spotify hide caption

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Screenshot by NPR/Spotify

Why your brain finds Spotify Wrapped so irresistible

Spotify Wrapped endures despite privacy concerns surrounding the data it collects from users. But experts say our continued excitement around the year-end aggregation is in our human nature.

Why your brain finds Spotify Wrapped so irresistible

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A 2017 meeting of a rotating savings club formed in a village near Lake Victoria soon after every adult there was chosen to receive a monthly through GiveDirectly's experiment. The clubs have enabled recipients to convert their grants into lump sum payments: Each month the members put $10 into the communual pot — for a total of $100 — and a different person takes it home. Nichole Sobecki for NPR hide caption

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Nichole Sobecki for NPR

It's one of the biggest experiments in fighting global poverty. Now the results are in

The study focuses on a universal basic income and spans 12 years and thousands of people in Kenya. How did the money change lives? What's better: monthly payouts or a lump sum.

It's one of the biggest experiments in fighting global poverty. Now the results are in

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Ndileka Mandela, the eldest of Nelson Mandela's grandchildren, during her Zoom interview with NPR. A climate activist, she had spoken at COP28 earlier in the week, the climate summit, and returned home to Johannesburg to mark the 10th anniversary of her grandfather's passing. Screenshot by NPR hide caption

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Screenshot by NPR

Ndelika Mandela on 'climate apartheid,' how to stay hopeful and her granddad's legacy

The eldest grandchild of Nelson Mandela had a busy week — speaking at the climate summit COP28 about the need to aid the Global South and throwing a party to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing.

A person works at Ford's Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Mich. on Sept. 20, 2022. U.S. employers created 199,000 jobns last month, higher than in October, in part as UAW workers returned to work after a strike against the Big Three automakers. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images

The labor market stays robust, with employers adding 199,000 jobs last month

U.S. employers added 199,000 jobs in November, higher than the 150,000 jobs created in the previous month, reflecting in part the return of striking UAW and Hollywood workers.

Gelt are chocolate coins traditionally given out during Hanukkah. NuRoots, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles' young adult initiative, has baskets of gelt to hand out at its events. Jason DeRose/NPR hide caption

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Jason DeRose/NPR

Hanukkah celebrations inspire Jewish joy despite war and increasing antisemitism

The war between Israel and Hamas, as well as a rise in antisemitism, has many Jews unsure how to celebrate Hanukkah this year. Some say they're focusing on hope and hospitality in dark times.

Hanukkah celebrations inspire Jewish joy despite war and increasing antisemitism

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A menorah stands outside the entrance to Temple Israel, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Albany, N.Y. A 28-year-old suspect was in police custody for allegedly firing two rounds from a shotgun outside the Jewish temple on Thursday, just hours before the start of Hanukkah. Officials said no one was injured. Maysoon Khan/AP hide caption

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Maysoon Khan/AP

National

No one was hurt in scary scene as man shoots at Albany, N.Y., temple hours before Hanukkah

The man alleged to have fired a gun outside Temple Israel in Albany on Thursday has been charged.

Second gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks during the Annual National Menorah Lighting at the White House on Dec. 7, 2023. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Emhoff says 3 college presidents showed a 'lack of moral clarity' on antisemitism

Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Harris, is the highest-level official to criticize the presidents of Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania for their testimony this week.

An abortion rights supporter holds a sign on stage Nov. 7 in Columbus, Ohio, after winning the referendum on Issue 1, a measure to enshrine a right to abortion in the state's constitution. Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images

Ohioans voted to enshrine abortion rights. Its doctors are still practicing under the old rules

Ohio voters cemented abortion rights into their state constitution in November. While legal scholars say laws like a 24-hour waiting period are no longer constitutional, doctors are wary of future legal fights and haven't changed their practices.

Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, 44, was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms Oct. 22 when he attempted to cut the engines and open an emergency exit in midflight on a flight between Everett, Wash., and San Francisco. Emerson Family hide caption

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Emerson Family

An off-duty pilot arrested in a cockpit disturbance is released from jail

The Alaska Airlines pilot who nearly shut down an aircraft's engines mid-flight in October over Oregon airspace has been released from jail pending trial.

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Lauren Kim/Courtesy of the artist

Laufey used to feel 'a little off' about her voice. It became her secret power

WXPN

Hear the Grammy-nominated jazz musician performs songs from her latest album, Bewitched.

Laufey on World Cafe

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This is the vaginal ring that releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine to ward off HIV infection. The ring is now going into wider distribution in sub-Saharan Africa, where girls and young women age 15 to 24 accounted for more than 77% of new HIV infections in 2022, according to UNAIDS. AFP/Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Stephane de Sakutin/AFP via Getty Images

A vaginal ring that discreetly delivers anti-HIV drugs will reach more women

In sub-Saharan Africa, women are at high risk of contracting HIV. Some protective measures carry a stigma but this device enables them to take control without anyone knowing.

Esther Lau testifies on June 20 before the California Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo's bill allowing teens with Medi-Cal coverage to seek therapy without parental approval. Senate of the State of California hide caption

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Senate of the State of California

California expands insurance access for teens seeking therapy on their own

KQED

A new California law will allow low-income teens on Medicaid to get therapy without parental approval. That's already allowed for teens on private insurance. But the change aroused opposition.

Pearl Harbor survivors, from left, Harry Chandler, Ken Stevens, Herb Elfring and Ira "Ike" Schab salute while the national anthem is played during the 82nd Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mengshin Lin/AP hide caption

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Mengshin Lin/AP

NATIONAL

Centenarian Pearl Harbor survivors return to honor those who were killed 82 years ago

Five survivors returned to Pearl Harbor 82 years later on the anniversary of the attack to remember the more than 2,300 servicemen killed in the assault that propelled the U.S. into World War II.

Juanita Castro, sister of Fidel Castro, talks to a reporter, Oct. 27, 2009, in Miami. Juanita Castro, the anti-communist sister of Cuban rulers Fidel and Raul Castro who worked with the CIA against their government, has died in Miami at age 90. Alan Diaz/AP hide caption

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Alan Diaz/AP

Juanita Castro, anti-communist sister of Cuban leaders Fidel and Raul, dies at 90

Juanita Castro has died in Miami at age 90. Florida had been her home since shortly after fleeing the island nearly 60 years ago.

Alan Hostetter, seen here in May 2020, became a leading activist against coronavirus-related lockdown policies in Orange County, Calif. Hostetter, a former police chief and yoga instructor, was convicted of conspiring to obstruct congress' certification of the 2020 presidential election results at the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group via Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Former police chief turned yoga teacher sentenced to 11 years over Jan. 6 riot

A retired police chief, who led pro-Trump protests and called for "traitors" in government to be "executed as an example," was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot.

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