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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Thursday.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, Thursday. Julia Nikhinson/AP/AP hide caption

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Julia Nikhinson/AP/AP

Elections

When will Kamala Harris be the official Democratic presidential nominee?

The Democratic National Committee will hold a virtual roll call in early August to select a new presidential nominee, likely Vice President Harris, before its convention kicks off in Chicago.

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Ryan Leslie: Tiny Desk Concert

The singer-songwriter and entrepreneur adapts his big, synth-heavy sound for his performance.
A Sudanese girl who has fled from the war with her family arrives at a refugee transit center. The conflict that began in April 2023 has displaced millions and created a humanitarian crisis.

A Sudanese girl who has fled from the war with her family arrives at a refugee transit center. The conflict that began in April 2023 has displaced millions and created a humanitarian crisis. Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Why Sudan is being called a 'humanitarian desert'

An emergency coordinator from Doctors Without Borders has seen crises around the world but says she's never seen anything like this. A new report from the aid group underscores her assessment.

Civilians in Sudan face violence from both warring sides, humanitarian group says

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People are seen among rubble in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on July 21, 2024. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua via Getty Images)

People are seen among rubble in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on July 21, 2024. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua via Getty Images) Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images hide caption

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Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

Middle East crisis — explained

A pollster sheds light on Palestinian attitudes toward the U.S., Israel and Hamas

For three decades, Khalil Shikaki has provided insights into Palestinian public opinion. The most recent poll showed a rise in Hamas popularity, though a majority of respondents don't support Hamas.
In the Bethel Park community where the shooter lived, residents tend to keep to themselves.

In the Bethel Park community where the shooter lived, residents tend to keep to themselves. John Altdorfer for NPR hide caption

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John Altdorfer for NPR

National

Trump gunman’s hometown of Bethel Park reels after assassination attempt

The working-class town of about 30,000 just outside of Pittsburgh was rattled after learning the gunman came from their community, but most are hoping to put the violent episode behind them.

Neighbors in Bethel Park are still reeling from the Trump assassination attempt

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This image provided by the U.S. Department of State shows Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday, July 25, 2024. (U.S. Department of State via AP)

This image provided by the U.S. Department of State shows Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday, July 25, 2024. (U.S. Department of State via AP) AP/U.S. Department of State hide caption

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AP/U.S. Department of State

National

U.S. authorities arrest top Sinaloa cartel leader and son of 'El Chapo'

Ismael Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas, the U.S. Justice Department said.
A bipartisan bill seeks to ban octopus farming in the U.S., outlawing a practice that has drawn controversy in Spain. Here, an octopus is seen at the Oceanopolis sea center in Brest, western France.

A bipartisan bill seeks to ban octopus farming in the U.S., outlawing a practice that has drawn controversy in Spain. Here, an octopus is seen at the Oceanopolis sea center in Brest, western France. Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images

Animals

Octopus farming in the U.S. would be banned under a new bill in Congress

The OCTOPUS Act would ban farming the animal, and imports of farmed meat. It was introduced by a senator whose office says he learned about the plan through a story on NPR.
Residents and community organizers take the street Wednesday to show support for opposition candidate in Venezuela's presidential election, Edmundo Gónzalez Urrutia, in the neighborhood of La Vega, in Venezuela's capital of Caracas.

Residents and community organizers take the street Wednesday to show support for opposition candidate in Venezuela's presidential election, Edmundo Gónzalez Urrutia, in the neighborhood of La Vega, in Venezuela's capital of Caracas. Lexi Parra for NPR hide caption

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Lexi Parra for NPR

Year of Global Elections

What to know about Venezuela's election, as Maduro faces stiff opposition

Venezuela is holding a presidential election on Sunday that could bring dramatic change to the nation, if the opposition candidate can really knock out longtime President Nicolás Maduro.
Joey Berkley

Joey Berkley Sarah Matthews/Big Apple Jazz hide caption

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Sarah Matthews/Big Apple Jazz

Music

An electrode in the brain restores the career of saxophonist Joey Berkley

Saxophonist Joey Berkley lost his ability to play due to the muscular disorder focal dystonia, but experimental treatment has given him enough flexibility to record a comeback album titled A Suite Life.

JOEY BERKLEY A Suite Life

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Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., used an AI program on her iPad to speak in the chamber of the House of Representatives on July 25.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., used an AI program on her iPad to speak in the chamber of the House of Representatives on July 25. House Television via AP hide caption

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House Television via AP

Politics

A neurological disease stole Rep. Jennifer Wexton's voice. AI helped her get it back.

Wexton spoke on the House floor Wednesday using an "augmentative and alternative communication" program.

Wexton uses AI voice on floor

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A view from the Oak Tree Grove June 28, 2024 in Dos Rios State Park in Modesto, California.

A view from the Oak Tree Grove June 28, 2024 in Dos Rios State Park in Modesto, California. Geloy Concepcion for NPR hide caption

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Geloy Concepcion for NPR

Environment

California's newest state park is like a time machine

California's newest state park just opened this summer — and a visit is like stepping into a time machine as its creators reimagine what a state park can be.

California's newest state park is like a time machine

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Bristeria Clark (center) at the graduation ceremony for Morehouse School of Medicine’s first class of rural doulas, called Perinatal Patient Navigators. Clark, who's also a nurse and county employee, wants other women to have more support than she did while navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Bristeria Clark (center) at the graduation ceremony for Morehouse School of Medicine’s first class of rural doulas, called Perinatal Patient Navigators. Clark, who's also a nurse and county employee, wants other women to have more support than she did while navigating pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Matthew Pearson/WABE hide caption

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Matthew Pearson/WABE

Shots - Health News

Maternity care in rural areas is in crisis. Can more doulas help?

 WABE 90.1

A Georgia medical school has begun training and deploying doulas in rural areas of the state, with the goal of decreasing the risk of childbirth complications, especially for Black women.

Doulas Rural Maternity

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The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that 'boneless' refers to a cooking style, finding Wings on Brookwood not liable for injuries caused by swallowing a bone from one of their 'boneless' wings.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that 'boneless' refers to a cooking style, finding Wings on Brookwood not liable for injuries caused by swallowing a bone from one of their 'boneless' wings. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

National

‘Boneless’ chicken wings can have bones, the Ohio Supreme Court says

In a 4-3 verdict against a patron who sued a restaurant after swallowing a bone from a “boneless wing,” the court ruled that “boneless” doesn’t guarantee that there will be no bones in a chicken wing.
In this photo released by the Jasper National Park, smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Jasper, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday.

In this photo released by the Jasper National Park, smoke rises from a wildfire burning near Jasper, Alberta, Canada, on Wednesday. Jasper National Park via The Canadian Press/AP hide caption

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Jasper National Park via The Canadian Press/AP

World

In the Canadian Rockies, a fast-moving wildfire ravages the resort town of Jasper

The fire, which prompted 25,000 people to flee, roared into the near-deserted town overnight as a “wall of fire,” devastating up to half the structures in the picturesque resort, officials said.
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