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Monday

Pras Michel stands trial in Washington, D.C., for conspiracy and other charges

Musician Pras Michel in a 2015 portrait taken in Los Angeles. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Law

Pras Michel stands trial in Washington, D.C., for conspiracy and other charges

Hip-hop musician Pras Michel of Fugees faces criminal trial in Washington, D.C., for allegedly conspiring to violate election law and influence American policymakers on behalf of China.

Pras Michel stands trial in Washington, D.C., for conspiracy and other charges

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Foreign volunteers race to train new Ukrainian troops to be sent to the front

Magnus Ek, 53, a retired Swedish lieutenant, is teaching a group of Ukrainian conscripts how to fire an AK-47 in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region. Ek, who spent a decade as an instructor in Sweden, is among a group of foreign military volunteers who have gone to train Ukrainians how to defend their country from Russia's invasion. Frank Langfitt/NPR hide caption

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Frank Langfitt/NPR

Ukraine invasion — explained

Foreign volunteers race to train new Ukrainian troops to be sent to the front

Former service members and combat medics from other countries are in Ukraine to train civilians. They typically have just days with new conscripts before they are sent to the front.

Foreign volunteers race to train new Ukrainian troops to be sent to the front

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Sunday

On the border with Belarus, Ukrainian troops prep for a long war — and the front line

A howitzer is fired at a training area in the Volyn region. Ukraine is using this region, quiet for the moment, to train troops for the front line in the east. Claire Harbage/NPR hide caption

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Claire Harbage/NPR

Ukraine invasion — explained

On the border with Belarus, Ukrainian troops prep for a long war — and the front line

Russian forces crossed from Belarus into Ukraine a year ago, headed for Kyiv, before their unexpected retreat. As the war drags on, Ukraine is fortifying even the quietest stretch of this border.

On the border with Belarus, Ukrainian troops prep for a long war — and the front line

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Saturday

Congress revisits approval for Iraq invasion, recalling change of heart on Vietnam

U.S marines and Iraqis are seen on April 9, 2003, as the statue of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is toppled at al-Fardous square in Baghdad. Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images hide caption

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Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images

Politics

Congress revisits approval for Iraq invasion, recalling change of heart on Vietnam

In terms of domestic politics, the Iraq War followed the trajectory of the Vietnam War, which also relied on a resolution supporting the use of military force that Congress passed and later repealed.

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

A selection of the 1000 people who have been charged for the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. Getty Images and Department of Justice hide caption

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Getty Images and Department of Justice

Investigations

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

More than 1,000 people have now been charged for the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. NPR has tracked every case from arrest to sentencing. Here's what is happening to those charged.

1,000 people have been charged for the Capitol riot. Here's where their cases stand

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Friday

As the U.S. confronts a rising China, one country is right in the middle

This month, President Joe Biden announced a "historic project to strengthen Australian submarine capacity and our own." Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images hide caption

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Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Main Character of the Day

As the U.S. confronts a rising China, one country is right in the middle

This month, Australia struck a deal with the U.S. to acquire nuclear-powered submarine technology. It's a big moment for the country that has found itself itself caught between two world powers.

Thursday

In fight over key surveillance law, officials look to sway congressional skeptics

Futuristic server room with the flowing people and data. Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images hide caption

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Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images

In fight over key surveillance law, officials look to sway congressional skeptics

A fight looms over warrantless collection of communication of foreigners overseas.

In fight over key surveillance law, officials look to sway congressional skeptics

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Wednesday

The leaders of China and Russia have finished talks. Here are some takeaways

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands after speaking to the media during a signing ceremony following their talks in Moscow on Tuesday. Mikhail Tereshchenko/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP hide caption

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Mikhail Tereshchenko/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

The leaders of China and Russia have finished talks. Here are some takeaways

China's Xi Jinping says he has a peace plan for Ukraine and wants to mediate an end to the war. Ukraine and its neighbors are skeptical.

Tuesday

A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war

A Ukrainian soldier launches a DJI Mavic 3 drone in Bakhmut, Ukraine, near the frontline with Russian troops on Feb. 18. Ukrainian forces have been using drones for reconnaissance and directing artillery fire. But the Ukrainians have also modified them to conduct attacks on Russian ground forces. John Moore/Getty Images hide caption

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John Moore/Getty Images

Ukraine invasion — explained

A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war

There's lots of talk about China supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. But one Chinese product already plays a key battlefield role - a cheap, popular, off-the-shelf, commercial drone.

A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war

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Before the U.S. rolled into Baghdad 20 years ago, Iraqis warned us what would happen

U.S. Marines take up positions in the area around the Palestine hotel in the center of Baghdad, April 9, 2003. Sean Smith/Getty Images hide caption

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Analysis

Moments in history

Before the U.S. rolled into Baghdad 20 years ago, Iraqis warned us what would happen

When the U.S. invasion of Iraq began, NPR's Mideast editor Larry Kaplow was a reporter in Baghdad. Looking back now, he writes that the signs and warnings of the chaos to come were all too clear then.

Iraq vets reflect on a war Americans have largely put behind them

Activists light candles outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion that launched the Iraq War in 2003. Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Win Without War hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Win Without War

Iraq vets reflect on a war Americans have largely put behind them

The U.S. invasion of Iraq 20 years ago gripped the entire nation. Today it is far from the minds of most Americans, though not for the veterans who served there.

Iraq vets reflect on a war Americans have largely put behind them

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Monday

U.S. aid worker and French journalist freed after years in captivity in West Africa

French journalist Olivier Dubois left, and Jeffery Woodke, right, are seen as they arrive at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on Monday. Souleymane AG Anara/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Souleymane AG Anara/AFP via Getty Images

World

U.S. aid worker and French journalist freed after years in captivity in West Africa

Jeff Woodke, an American missionary and humanitarian aid worker, was kidnapped by militants in 2016. Olivier Dubois, who was a correspondent for French news outlets, was kidnapped in 2021.