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Karen Read walks outside a courthouse in a light blue suit.

Karen Read, pictured outside of the Norfolk Superior Court for a hearing in August. Her legal team tried for months to get her second trial dismissed. John Tlumacki/Boston Globe via Getty Images hide caption

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John Tlumacki/Boston Globe via Getty Images

National

A guide to the Karen Read case, as she returns to court for her second murder trial

Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston cop, in 2022. She maintains she was framed by police. Here's a refresher on the case — and a look at what's happened since last year's mistrial.
The Supreme court appeared ready to allow religious charities to opt out of mandatory unemployment compensations laws.

The Supreme court appeared ready to allow religious charities to opt out of mandatory unemployment compensations laws.

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Law

The Supreme Court seems ready to let religious groups opt out of unemployment compensation laws

The case was brought by a chapter of Catholic Charities in Wisconsin, which says that it should be able to opt out of the mandatory state unemployment compensation system.

Supreme Court may let religious groups opt out of unemployment compensation laws

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WATCH

Chocolate Droppa: Tiny Desk Concert

Kevin Hart, returning to his Chocolate Droppa moniker, came to the Tiny Desk with a clear mission: Freestyle an entire set "off the dome."
This image released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense shows China’s Shandong aircraft carrier sailing near Taiwan on Monday, March 31, 2025.

This image released by the Taiwan Ministry of National Defense shows China's Shandong aircraft carrier sailing near Taiwan on Monday, March 31, 2025. AP/Taiwan Ministry of National Defense hide caption

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AP/Taiwan Ministry of National Defense

Asia

China practices attacks and blockades in fresh military exercises around Taiwan

China launched major military drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, simulating attacks and maritime blockades, in what Beijing called a warning after Taiwan's president labeled China a hostile foreign force.
A man's hand is shown throwing a pair of red dice.

Opportunities for legal gambling have exploded since a 2018 Supreme Court decision. But research on gambling addiction and treatment for the problem lags. PM Images/Digital Vision/Getty Images hide caption

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PM Images/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Living Better

Do you know the red flags for problem gambling?

Preoccupation with betting or casino games may be an early sign of developing an addiction to gambling.

How to spot when sports gambling is becoming a problem

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A midwife assesses a pregnant woman at a mobile health clinic in Bagrami District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. Afghanistan's economy has been in free fall since Taliban takeover of power August last year after an abrupt cut in international aid, which accounted for 40% of its gross domestic product and 75% of total government spending, and the UN says more than half the country's population or 20 million are facing acute hunger.

A midwife assesses a pregnant woman at a mobile health clinic in Bagrami District, Kabul Province, Afghanistan, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. Afghanistan's economy has been in free fall since Taliban takeover of power August last year after an abrupt cut in international aid, which accounted for 40% of its gross domestic product and 75% of total government spending, and the UN says more than half the country's population or 20 million are facing acute hunger. Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Bloomberg hide caption

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Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Bloomberg

Goats and Soda

A midwife says of the aid cuts in Afghanistan: 'No one prioritizes women's lives.'

With the abrupt shutdown of USAID funding, many clinics, including those serving women in remote areas, have shuttered. Midwives are reporting that mothers and babies are dying as a result.

More babies and mothers are dying in Afghanistan after USAID cuts, midwives say

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People walk though a building in Yiwu International Trade City, a giant wholesale market in Yiwu, China, where millions of Chinese-made items are sold.

People walk though a building in Yiwu International Trade City, a giant wholesale market in Yiwu, China, where millions of Chinese-made items are sold. Reena Advani/NPR hide caption

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Reena Advani/NPR

Asia

What U.S. tariffs look like from a Chinese trade city

NPR's Steve Inskeep visited the source of your stuff. And heard how China's manufacturers are handling U.S. tariffs.

We visit the Chinese city where your stuff comes from

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17 members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang and members of the MS-13 gang, who were deported to El Salvador by the US in San Salvador, El Salvador on March 31, 2025. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirmed they will be sent to the country's infamous mega-prison at CECOP facility prison. San Salvador forces took heavy security measures.

17 members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang and members of the MS-13 gang, who were deported to El Salvador by the US in San Salvador, El Salvador on March 31, 2025. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele confirmed they will be sent to the country's infamous mega-prison at CECOP facility prison. San Salvador forces took heavy security measures. El Salvador Press Presidency Office/Anadolu via Getty Images hide caption

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El Salvador Press Presidency Office/Anadolu via Getty Images

National

Advocates say flawed 'checklist' targets Venezuelans for deportation under archaic wartime act

Flawed deportation 'checklist' targets Venezuelans using tattoos as one gang identifier. But experts say Tren de Aragua doesn't use tattoos for member identification.
A Boston Dynamics robot "dog" inspects a vehicle body as part of quality control, as seen during a media tour at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Ga., on March 26. During the grand opening ceremony for the plant, which actually produced its first vehicle in October, company executives and Georgia politicians did not emphasize — or even mention — that the plant produces electric vehicles.

A Boston Dynamics robot "dog" inspects a vehicle body as part of quality control, as seen during a media tour at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Ga., on March 26. During the grand opening ceremony for the plant, which actually produced its first vehicle in October, company executives and Georgia politicians did not emphasize — or even mention — that the plant produces electric vehicles. Mike Stewart/AP hide caption

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Mike Stewart/AP

Business

Hyundai's plans for its new Georgia plant reveal an industry hedging its bets on EVs

Hyundai just opened a high-tech auto plant in Georgia. Originally meant to just build EVs, it's expanding toward plug-in hybrids — a sign of bigger shifts in the auto industry.

Hyundai’s plans for its new Georgia plant reveal an industry hedging its bets on EVs

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Protesters rally against Tesla CEO Elon Musk outside a Tesla store in San Francisco on Saturday.

Protesters rally against Tesla CEO Elon Musk outside a Tesla store in San Francisco on Saturday. Noah Berger/AP hide caption

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Noah Berger/AP

Interview highlights

An expert says Tesla's best way to rebuild its brand is to ditch Musk

The Tesla brand is in trouble, according to branding consultant Allen Adamson, who says the car company is facing headwinds due to a lack of innovation and the political activity of CEO Elon Musk.

Tesla hurt by lack of innovation and Musk's political activity, brand consultant says

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Recovery efforts were underway on March 28 near the spot where their Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabradė, Lithuania.

Recovery efforts were underway on March 28 near the spot where their Hercules armored vehicle was found submerged at a training range in Pabradė, Lithuania. Mindaugas Kulbis/AP hide caption

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Mindaugas Kulbis/AP

World

The bodies of 3 out of 4 missing U.S. Army soldiers are recovered from a swamp in Lithuania

The search continues for a fourth U.S. Army soldier from Fort Stewart in Georgia who went missing in Lithuania last week when a U.S. armored vehicle was submerged in a swamp during a training mission.

Bodies of 3 out of 4 missing U.S. Army soldiers are recovered from swamp in Lithuania

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Elon Musk wears a cheesehead hat as he speaks during a rally in Green Bay, Wisc. on March 30, 2025. An election to choose a new state Supreme Court justice takes place Tuesday and Musk has contributed millions to the race, hoping to secure a win for the conservative candidate.

Elon Musk wears a cheesehead hat as he speaks during a rally in Green Bay, Wisc. on March 30, 2025. An election to choose a new state Supreme Court justice takes place Tuesday and Musk has contributed millions to the race, hoping to secure a win for the conservative candidate. Robin Legrand/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Robin Legrand/AFP via Getty Images

News

The Wisconsin Supreme Court vote is getting national attention and millions from Musk

The court could face cases on abortion, congressional maps and labor unions. With Tesla suing the state, Elon Musk is backing the conservative candidate who's received President Trump's endorsement.
Tom Basden, left, as Herb McGwyer, Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer and Tim Key as Charles in The Ballad of Wallis Island.

Tom Basden, left, as Herb McGwyer, Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer and Tim Key as Charles in The Ballad of Wallis Island. ‎/Focus Features hide caption

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‎/Focus Features

Review

Movie Reviews

A folk legend gets a reunion he didn't sign up for in this melancholy charmer

An affable lottery winner decides to bring his favorite singer to a remote island off the coast of Wales for a private concert. Turns out, he's invited the singer's ex-bandmate/ex-girlfriend, too.

A folk legend gets a reunion he didn't sign up for in this melancholy charmer

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The Gamble House in Pasadena

The Gamble House in Pasadena Alexander Verikoff
/Vertikoff Archives hide caption

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Alexander Verikoff
/Vertikoff Archives

California Wildfires

Beloved historic landmarks navigate an uncertain future after the LA fires

In Pasadena, The Gamble House was in a fire evacuation zone and its custodians are trying to safeguard its future. In Altadena, only concrete walls are left from the former home of novelist Zane Grey.

Beloved historic landmarks navigate an uncertain future after the LA fires

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President Trump continued his push to unwind the U.S. Department of Education last week announcing that the management of the entire federal student loan portfolio would be moved to the Small Business administration.

President Trump continued his push to unwind the U.S. Department of Education last week announcing that the management of the entire federal student loan portfolio would be moved to the Small Business administration. Illustration by Annelise Capossela for NPR hide caption

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Illustration by Annelise Capossela for NPR

Education

6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now

NPR has spent the past few weeks catching up with student loan experts and asking the Trump administration for clarity on some of borrowers' biggest questions.
Owen Cooper, left, as Jamie Miller, and Stephen Graham as his father, Eddie Miller, in Adolescence.

Owen Cooper, left, as Jamie Miller, and Stephen Graham as his father, Eddie Miller, in Adolescence. Ben Blackall/Netflix hide caption

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Ben Blackall/Netflix

Television

'Adolescence' co-creator says 'maybe we're all accountable' for youth violence

The Netflix series follows a 13-year-old accused of murdering a girl from his school. Co-creator and star Stephen Graham says he read about similar crimes and wanted to know: "Why is this happening?"

'Adolescence' co-creator says 'maybe we're all accountable' for youth violence

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