NPR News Headlines

The defense department has announced new senior level positions after recent firings and resignations. But with Pentagon head Pete Hegseth under fire for missteps, the way ahead is still unclear.

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Over the last half-century, the political leanings of the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidency contributed to dramatically different approaches to the federal death penalty.

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It's a "ready-to-use therapeutic food" that's had remarkable success in treating malnourished kids. The State Department says it's still available. Factories and field workers have a different view.

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During Syria's long civil war, the White Helmets were known for running into harms way, rescuing civilians from the aftermath of regime attacks. Now with the regime gone, the famed organization is finding a new mission with new challenges. We go to Damascus to see them in action.

Commerce Department employees caught up in a legal battle over their mass firings are now learning that their health care coverage was cut off weeks ago, even though they were paying their premiums.

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Pope Francis will be buried in St. Mary Major church, not Saint Peter's Basilica, in a break with tradition.

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A kid whose parents couldn't afford school fees is now an "icon" on Time magazine's 2025 list — recognizing her work as CEO of Camfed, a charity that gives millions of girls a chance for an education.

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Mangione is set to appear in federal court on Friday for his arraignment in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Prosecutors have filed an intent to seek the death penalty.

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A day after the U.N. appealed for restraint following Tuesday's deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, India reported an exchange of fire across the de facto border in the disputed region.

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Makers of our food and home essentials, including Pepsi and Procter & Gamble, are cutting their financial forecasts for the year and predicting lower sales or profits than before.

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Cam Ward went from zero-star recruit to No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and the Jacksonville Jaguars paid a ton use Cleveland's pick on Travis Hunter at No. 2. Colorado star Shedeur Sanders wasn't taken in the first round.

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Pope Francis's funeral begins in Vatican City at 4 a.m. ET on Saturday and will end with his burial in Rome. Here's what to know about the day's events — and how Francis is breaking with tradition.

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NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Elliot Williams, legal analyst and former Justice Department deputy assistant attorney general, about the Trump administration's response to court orders.

Russia launched a deadly strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Trump says he wants peace quickly. And, NPR looks inside Sudan's capital city of Khartoum after two years of war.

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Scientists have a new clue in the mystery of why younger people are getting more colon cancer. It may have to do with a toxin produced by a common gut microbe.

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Researchers using data from the James Webb Space Telescope recently announced they had detected biosignature gases on planet K2-18b. A new analysis of the same data casts doubt on the earlier findings

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An NPR listener writes: "We've briefly discussed sexuality, but I have no idea how fluid she may be, if at all. " Plus: A woman wants to marry her partner, but his family constantly belittles her. Is the relationship doomed?

The Trump administration is targeting top climate and weather labs for cuts. Insiders worry about the impact on research and NOAA's ability to forecast severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes.

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Last year, more than 9 million people watched across the world, and executive producer Johan Erhag said he expects viewership will be even higher this year.

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If you've paid attention to pope selection, COVID websites, national defense and libel cases, you'll do great this week!