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Analysis

Thursday

Tuesday

Onscreen cannibalism and our hunger for love

Sebastian Stan in Fresh - a fresh take on the meat market of dating. Courtesy of Hulu hide caption

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Courtesy of Hulu

It's Been a Minute

Onscreen cannibalism and our hunger for love

For the third and final installment of our Trilogy of Terror series, host Brittany Luse turns her attention to the ultimate taboo: cannibalism. Cannibalism stories have gotten big recently: it's in The Last of Us, Society of the Snow and Yellowjackets. She's joined by NPR Arts Desk reporter Neda Ulaby to dig deeper into three cannibalism films. They break down how versatile the trope is, what it says about how we consume – and how we love.

Onscreen cannibalism and our hunger for love

Listen · 20:27
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Sunday

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives on stage during a town hall campaign event at the Lancaster County Convention Center on Oct. 20, 2024 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Trump is campaigning the entire day in the state of Pa.

Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, arrives on stage during a town hall campaign event at the Lancaster County Convention Center on Oct. 20 in Lancaster, Pa. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Elections

The GOP’s ‘survival instinct’ acts as an ally for Trump on Election Day and beyond

Former President Donald Trump needs voters who may have misgivings about him or some of his behavior but who have deep loyalty to the Republican Party or deep aversion to the Democrats.

Friday

The Billboard Hot 100's doom loop; Plus, a new kind of true crime story

Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" has been at #1 for 15 nonconsecutive weeks. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET

It's Been a Minute

The Billboard Hot 100's doom loop; Plus, a new kind of true crime story

The same songs are sitting at the top of the music charts longer than ever, and that has Brittany Luse wondering, are our listening habits stuck in a doom loop? Brittany chats with NPR music editor Stephen Thompson to get to the bottom of the top of the charts.

The Billboard Hot 100's doom loop; Plus, a new kind of true crime story

Listen · 33:55
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Wednesday

The meaning behind Israel's 'right to defend itself'.

An Israeli tank moves a long the border as seen during an IDF embedded media tour to Southern Lebanon on October 13, 2024 near Naqoura, Lebanon. Amir Levy/Getty Images hide caption

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Amir Levy/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

The meaning behind Israel's 'right to defend itself'.

"Israel has a right to defend itself and its people." It's a phrase that's been spoken by Israel's allies – and American presidents – for decades, especially in the days after Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7th attack by Hamas.

The meaning behind Israel's 'right to defend itself'.

Listen · 9:23
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Wednesday

Wednesday

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on Oct. 1, 2024 in New York City.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance and Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz participate in a debate at the CBS Broadcast Center on Tuesday in New York City. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Who is the real JD Vance? And 4 other takeaways from the vice presidential debate

Vice presidential candidates are unlikely to make a fundamental difference in this election, but there were some takeaways from an interesting night.

Saturday

Supporters of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group raise their fists and cheer as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah appears via a video link, during a Nov. 3, 2023, rally in Beirut to commemorate Hezbollah fighters who were killed in South Lebanon while fighting against the Israeli forces.

Supporters of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group raise their fists and cheer as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah appears via a video link, during a Nov. 3, 2023, rally in Beirut to commemorate Hezbollah fighters who were killed in South Lebanon while fighting against the Israeli forces. Hussein Malla/AP hide caption

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Hussein Malla/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Analysis: Hassan Nasrallah’s killing transforms an already deadly regional conflict

With Hassan Nasrallah dead in Israeli airstrikes, the Iran-backed militant group is facing enormous challenges as the region is yet again thrown into uncertainty.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton during the "A Hillary Christmas" sketch on December 19, 2015.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton during the "A Hillary Christmas" sketch on December 19, 2015. Dana Edelson/NBC hide caption

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Dana Edelson/NBC

Television

‘SNL’ has always taken on politics. Here’s what works – and why

As a historic election looms, Saturday Night Live faces an ongoing challenge to make America laugh – and process an increasingly strange political world. Jean Smart hosts the show’s 50th season premiere on Saturday.

Tuesday

New investigations by the U.S. Government Accountability Office offer the fullest picture yet of why the revamped FAFSA had such a troubled launch.

New investigations by the U.S. Government Accountability Office offer the fullest picture yet of why the revamped FAFSA had such a troubled launch. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

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LA Johnson/NPR

Education

Watchdog sheds light on FAFSA fiasco, from a birthday bug to call center failures

A new review and testimony from investigators with the U.S. Government Accountability Office offer the clearest picture yet of the aid form’s troubled rollout.

Turner/FAFSA updates

Listen · 3:53
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Monday

More forever wars?

A Lebanese man checks a message received on his mobile phone in Beirut on September 23, 2024, calling people to evacuate the areas where Hezbollah hides its weapons. JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

More forever wars?

The US is trying to broker an end to the war between Israel and Hamas. Ceasefire talks begin and end and begin again. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to the region 10 times in the past year.

More forever wars?

Listen · 9:39
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Tuesday

A year after the strike is the UAW still winning?

A close-up view of the signs used by the United Auto Workers members to picket outside a Jeep Plant in Toledo, Ohio last September. Sarah Rice/Getty Images hide caption

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Sarah Rice/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

A year after the strike is the UAW still winning?

A year ago at this time, members of the United Auto Workers Union were feeling powerful and optimistic. The group's new President Shawn Fain had called a historic strike. For the first time, the Union walked out on ALL three big automakers.

A year after the strike is the UAW still winning?

Listen · 12:35
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Friday

Critic Anton Ego tastes the ratatouille that makes him melt.

Critic Anton Ego tastes the ratatouille that makes him melt. Pixar Animation Studios hide caption

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Pixar Animation Studios

Critics often slam movies. Sometimes the movies slam back.

Ian McKellen plays a brutal theater critic in a new film. That sent our own film critic back into the archives, musing about portrayals of critics on screen.

CRITICS IN MOVIES

Listen · 6:31
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Wednesday

During Tuesday's debate, Harris was in command; Trump was incoherent

Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) speaks during a presidential debate with US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

During Tuesday's debate, Harris was in command; Trump was incoherent

Vice President Kamala Harris was dominant during Tuesday's presidential debate in Philadelphia. Former President Donald Trump struggled to stay on topic and a times sounded incoherent. With the race to the White House neck and neck will this debate make a difference?

During Tuesday's debate, Harris was in command; Trump was incoherent

Listen · 9:39
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Sunday

Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in a debate on Tuesday.

Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in a debate on Tuesday. LA Johnson/NPR hide caption

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Education

Here’s where Trump and Harris stand on 6 education issues

From school choice to college affordability, Trump and Harris don't have a lot in common. Ahead of the candidates’ only scheduled debate, we’ve put together a handy primer of their education views.

How the candidates differ on their views and policies on education

Listen · 6:35
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