Up First

Protests against the war in Gaza on college campuses now stretch from coast to coast. The United Kingdom is ready to pay a country thousands of miles away to take its unwanted refugees. And a years-long labor battle at Starbucks reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, which could set a precedent for future union building efforts.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Emily Kopp, Nick Spicer, Ally Schweitzer and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Opening arguments begin today in Manhattan: the People of the State of New York vs Donald J. Trump. As the House passed foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan over the weekend, it tucked in a bill that threatens the future of Tiktok in the U.S. And the U.S. Supreme Court takes up homelessness – specifically, the question of whether people can be punished for sleeping outside.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Julia Buckley, Catherine Laidlaw and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Historical markers dot the American landscape. They are on the sides of roads, in parks, rest areas, in the middle of nowhere. They purport to offer a glimpse into the past, marking a moment or place of significance worth remembering. But a year-long investigation by NPR's Laura Sullivan found some of these markers present a fractured and confused telling of the American story. Some share humor and joy but many present a version of history that's been distorted or outright fictionalized with offensive lies.

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Congress is expected to vote Saturday on aid for U.S. allies over the objections of some Republicans. Volkswagen workers at a Tennessee plant have voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers. There are new guidelines to safeguard melatonin overuse by children.

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Less than a week after Iran launched air strikes into Israel, Israel appears to have responded. New York City police raided a college campus and arrested more than 100 students protesting the war in Gaza. And 12 New York City residents now hold Donald Trump's fate in their hands.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Larry Kaplow, Dana Farrington and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Israel is now engaged in conflicts on three separate fronts: Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. A new timeline shows Maui's deadly wildfire last year moved incredibly fast. And inflation is proving more stubborn than expected so far this year.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Eric Westervelt, Julia Redpath and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The U.S. wants China to help calm tensions in the Middle East by leveraging its influence with Iran. Democrats want to dismiss the impeachment trial against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, while some conservatives want to dismiss House Speaker Mike Johnson for backing aid to Israel and Ukraine. And hot ocean temperatures are turning coral reefs a ghostly white.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by James Hider, Dana Farrington, Neela Banerjee and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Iran is calling its air strikes on Israel a huge success, even though nearly all their missiles and drones were shot down. It looks like House Speaker Mike Johnson could finally bring foreign aid for Ukraine and Israel up for a vote — well...make that fourvotes. And the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments today in a January 6th case that asks the question: How does one specific federal law define the obstruction of a congressional proceeding?

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Dana Farrington, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Iran and its allies launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend. Israel, the U.S. and several other countries shot nearly all of them down. And Donald Trump goes on trial today — the first criminal trial ever for a former president.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Andrew Sussman, Dana Farrington, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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How can Black women face workplace challenges without losing faith—or losing themselves—in the process? Today on The Sunday Story, host Ayesha Rascoe sits down with Lauren Wesley Wilson, author of the new book, What Do You Need?

Lauren has dedicated her career to helping women of color thrive in the workplace as the founder and CEO of ColorComm, a networking community for women of color in communications and media. In this episode, she reflects on big moments in her career, and shares advice for women who may still be searching for a workplace where they can belong.

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Vice President Kamala Harris was in Arizona, where the state's high court reinstated an 1864 law all but banning abortion. House Speaker Mike Johnson met with former Pres. Donald Trump in Florida. Argentine police are breaking up protests with water cannons as the economy falters.

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We look back at the complicated life and legacy O.J. Simpson leaves behind after he died yesterday from cancer. More than two years into its full scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's war of attrition in Ukraine appears to be succeeding in ways its military superiority has not. And the Justice Department charges baseball star Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter with $16 million of bank fraud.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by James Hider, Nick Spicer, Rose Friedman, Ravenna Koenig, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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President Biden is hosting a meeting with the leaders of two key U.S. allies — Japan and the Philippines — to counter China's power in Asia. The European Union is moving forward with major changes to its migration policies that would make it harder to seek asylum in Europe. And high school seniors are struggling to figure out a new college financial aid form that's been plagued by delays and errors.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Nick Spicer, Steve Drummond, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Arizona's Supreme Court says an abortion ban passed during the Civil War should be the law of the land today. The EPA is, for the first time, putting limits on "forever chemicals" in our drinking water. And Japan's prime minister comes to Washington, just as President Biden questions a global business deal.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Scott Hensley, Roberta Rampton, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Josephine Nyounai.

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Donald Trump wants to leave abortion policy up to the states. The Vatican calls surrogacy and gender theory "grave threats" to "human dignity." And Missouri plans to execute a man who shot and killed two of his family members nearly 20 years ago — despite an unusual coalition advocating against his execution.

And a bonus: What was it like to experience a total solar eclipse?

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Cheryl Corley, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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We've got everything you need to be ready for today's total solar eclipse. (Except for those glasses...you're on your own there!) The Biden administration is taking another crack at an issue it's struggled to get through the courts. And this weekend marked six months of the war in Gaza — with still no clarity on how it might end.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Steve Drummond, Mark Katkov, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Nina Kravinsky. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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David Baron says seeing a total solar eclipse is "like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

Today on The Sunday Story, we're sharing an episode from NPR's Life Kit.Baron talks to NPR's scientist-in-residence and astrophysicist Dr. Regina Barber about what to expect when viewing the total solar eclipse on April 8, including the sensations you may feel and the strange lighting effects in the sky.

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October 7, 2023, was a Saturday. This Saturday, we look back at the last six months of violence, beginning with the surprise attack by Hamas on communities in southern Israel and continuing as Israel keeps up its retaliation and Hamas continues to hold hostages.

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Israel is allowing aid to flow into Northern Gaza after President Joe Biden warned that U.S. support would depend on steps taken to address civilian harm and humanitarian suffering. No Labels is deciding not to put a third-party unity ticket together to run in the 2024 presidential election. And, a federal judge decided border officials are responsible for migrant children in encampments on California's southern border.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Krishnadev Calamur, Alfredo Carbajal, Lisa Thomson and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman and our Executive Producer is Erika Agular.

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A key member of Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet says Israel should set a date for elections. NATO is marking 75 years since its founding — and it remains an alliance that worries about Russia. And an NPR investigation asks why Baltimore's Key Bridge didn't have more protection from passing ships.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Nick Spicer, Barrie Hardymon, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck Taiwan, the biggest quake to rock the Asian island in 25 years. rotest votes in Wisconsin's primary — against President Biden and Donald Trump. And a controversial Texas immigration law is back in court for a crucial test.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Padma Rama, Alfredo Carbajal, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Josephine Nyounai, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Two airstrikes in the last 24 hours are drawing new scrutiny to Israel's military actions in the Middle East. Florida's Supreme Court has pretty much ensured that abortion will be theissue on the state's November ballot. And it turns out Google's "incognito" web browsing mode hasn't been incognito after all.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Ryland Barton, Mark Katkov, Uri Berliner, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The United Nations' main judicial body says Israel must allow more aid into Gaza, but can the court's order be enforced? Many California fast food workers get a big raise Monday, but restaurant owners say the increase to $20 an hour puts them in a bind. And March Madness does it again: a Cinderella Final Four men's team, and an epic women's showdown Monday night.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Pallavi Gogoi, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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In China, a man has been playing the piano outdoors, often in places of great sadness—the epicenter of an earthquake, a dam that submerged villages, a street emptied during a COVID lockdown.

He plays just one song: "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence," by the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto.

In the fall of 2022, one of his performance videos goes viral, tapping into years of unexpressed collective grief. In this episode of The Sunday Story, NPR correspondent John Ruwitch asks: who is the piano man, and why has he chosen this path?

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Some car companies are looking for workarounds to get their vehicles from ships to dealers after the Baltimore bridge collapse. Demonstrations turn violent in Europe as farmers protest European Union environmental policies and cheap Ukrainian imports. Chocolate lovers will have to pay more for treats as cocoa prices skyrocket.

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If you paid enough money Thursday night, you could get your picture taken with three presidents — all at once. Reopening the Port of Baltimore will be a Herculean effort, as crews must clear six million pounds of steel out of the Patapsco River. And Russia's government isn't trying to hide that the four suspects on trial for last week's Moscow terrorist attack have been tortured.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Russell Lewis, Nick Spicer, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Carleigh Strange. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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We now have an initial timeline — minute by minute — of how a massive cargo ship came to crash into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Sam Bankman-Fried, the Crypto Wunderkind convicted of fraud, will be sentenced Thursday to a prison term that could last decades. And the Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis appear to have both realized that Florida is a small world after all.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Julia Redpath, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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At the site of Baltimore's Key Bridge, rescue efforts have turned to recovery. In Gaza, families are so desperate for food that 12 people drowned trying to retrieve airdropped aid boxes from the sea. And after a newsroom revolt at NBC, the network has ousted its newest contributor, former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Eric Westervelt, Mark Katkov, Pallavi Gogoi, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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A one-and-a-half mile bridge in Baltimore has collapsed a large container ship crashed into it and caught fire, with several vehicles falling into the waters below. Israel has canceled a high-level delegation to Washington, after the U.S. declined to block a United Nations resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. And a challenge to FDA regulations that make abortion pills more accessible reaches the Supreme Court.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Mark Katkov, Krishnadev Calamur, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Israel's Defense Minister is in the U.S. today at a moment of tension between the two allies. An offshoot of the Islamic State claims responsibility for Friday's mass shooting in Moscow, while Russian authorities point instead to Ukraine. And two of Donald Trump's legal battles collide today — one criminal, one civil, both in New York City.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Nick Spicer, Krishnadev Calamur, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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This week the EPA released new rules for vehicle emissions, which will push the auto industry to speed up the transition to electric vehicles. It's expected that electric vehicles will make up over 50% of new cars by 2032. For now EVs account for less than 10% of vehicle sales and drivers still have lots of questions about them and how they really affect the environment.

We asked The Sunday Story listeners to share their questions about EVs and the response was overwhelming. So to answer those many questions, host Ayesha Rascoe turns to NPR's business desk correspondent, Camila Domonoske, who covers cars and energy.

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Russian authorities say they've arrested several people responsible for the attack at a large concert venue on the Moscow outskirts, where more than 100 people were killed. House Speaker Mike Johnson passes spending bills with the help of Democrats, and now some Republicans are threatening his job. Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces after weeks out of the public eye that she is receiving treatment for cancer.

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Secretary of State Tony Blinken visits Israel as Gaza braces for famine. Donald Trump is ready to take Truth Social public — and it's not just his diehard supporters who want to buy stock. And the Justice Department hits Apple with an antitrust lawsuit for monopolizing the smartphone market.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Julia Redpath, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The Biden administration gives electric vehicles a jolt — with new EPA rules that aim to make two-thirds of new cars, trucks and SUVs electric or hybrid by 2032. Alabama follows other conservative states by banning public schools and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion. And some of Reddit's most loyal users are so upset the company is going public, they might try to bet against its stock.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Denice Rios, Susanna Capelouto, Pallavi Gogoi, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Migrants in Texas are waking up to a new day of anxiety after a whirlwind of court orders about a controversial immigration enforcement law. Six former Mississippi police officers who pleaded guilty to torturing two Black men are being sentenced this week in federal court. And Ohio Republicans nominate the candidate endorsed by Donald Trump for a race that could determine control of the U.S. Senate.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Susanna Capelouto, Padma Rama, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The United Nations says famine is imminent in Northern Gaza. In one state that has banned abortion, maternal health care now looks very different. And it's Primary Day in five more states — including Arizona, one of a handful of states likely to decide the election this fall.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Carrie Feibel, Megan Pratz, Dana Farrington, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Phil Edfors and David Greenburg, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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An outcome never in doubt: Russia's electoral commission says Vladimir Putin has won yet another term as president. Donald Trump once again defends the January 6th protesters who stormed the Capitol. And two voter concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for President Biden: his age and her readiness.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Nick Spicer, Dana Farrington, Roberta Rampton, Alice Woelfle and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Taylor Haney. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The Israeli government currently prohibits foreign journalists from entering Gaza. NPR's Leila Fadel found another way of reporting from inside the territory.

This week onThe Sunday Story, we bring you an episode from NPR's Embedded podcast. Fadel speaks with host Kelly McEvers about voice memos she's been receiving from a Palestinian college student trying to survive as bombs fall around her in Gaza. And we hear from a Palestinian American family that escaped the war–only to find that it has followed them home.

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Haitians wait for the arrival of a peacekeeping force from Kenya, as violence continues there. After a judge's ruling in Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis remains on the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. The judge said either she or the special prosecutor with whom she had a romantic relationship needed to step aside. Israel gears up for a planned offensive in Gaza's southern city of Rafah.

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In Russia, nothing happens without some intrigue — even a presidential election in which Vladimir Putin is a near-lock to win a fifth term. We get a first-hand glimpse of the chaos in Haiti, as our correspondent finally makes it across the border. And Chicago pulls an about-face — from welcoming migrants seeking asylum to evicting them.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Nick Spicer, Tara Neill, Alfredo Carbajal, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Many Haitians are troubled by an international plan to impose a transitional government. European Union lawmakers have approved the world's first comprehensive regulations on artificial intelligence. And as we barrel toward a presidential election with two unpopular candidates, third-party bids are scrambling to get on the ballot.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Tara Neill, Dana Farrington, Nick Spicer, Jan Johnson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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A House vote today takes aim at TikTok — and its Chinese parent company. Conspiracy theories about noncitizens voting are back this election year, and they're taking even deeper hold with many Republicans. And with Israel blocking most aid shipments to Gaza by land, aid groups are turning to the sea to feed starving people.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Ben Swasey, Mark Katkov, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Haiti's armed gangs have gotten their wish: The prime Minister says he plans to resign. On this primary day in Georgia, we hear from a Democrat skeptical about Joe Biden and a Republican fed up with Donald Trump. And a temperature check on inflation, as gas prices begin their usual spring surge.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Kelsey Snell, Rafael Nam, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lindsay Totty. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Muslims are making the start of Ramadan today — and there is, as yet, no ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to stop the war during this holy month. In Haiti, police say they are "on their knees" as the coordinated attacks from armed gangs enter their second week. And in a moment of global conflict, a movie about the creation of the atomic bomb sweeps the Academy Awards.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Tara Neill , Rose Friedman, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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President Biden and former President Trump both hold campaign events in Georgia today. For Biden, it's part of his post-State of the Union tour of swing states. The humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza, with no ceasefire before Ramadan. Nigerian officials say more than 250 students were abducted from school.

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President Biden takes on his age — and, without saying his name, his opponent. Donald Trump is poised to install loyalists atop the Republican National Committee. And a surreal standoff in Haiti continues, between the government and armed gangs.

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Up First was edited Roberta Rampton, Megan Pratz, Tara Neill, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.

Correction: An earlier version of this episode referred to Morton Blackwell as a member of the Republican National Committee from Louisiana. He represents Virginia.


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President Biden gives his election-year State of the Union address tonight as polls show him trailing former President Donald Trump. Alabama passes a law protecting in vitro fertilization clinics from civil and criminal liability. And how Israel's fractious society has been united by the war in Gaza, five months in.

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Up First was edited Roberta Rampton, Susanna Capelouto, Mark Katkov, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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NPR has confirmed Nikki Haley is due to suspend her presidential campaign after a big win on Super Tuesday for Donald Trump. Why a prominent California Democratic Senate candidate spent millions of dollars to boost a Republican opponent. And, how a cyberattack on an obscure but critical U.S. health care company has disrupted our entire system.

Correction: In the broadcast version of this story, the reporter incorrectly refers to a United Health Care subsidiary as "Optus." The correct name is "Optum."

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Up First was edited Dana Farrington, Kevin Drew, Andrew Sussman and Ben Adler. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Josephine Nyounai, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Super Tuesday is here — with more voters casting ballots than any other day. The Supreme Court says states like Colorado can't kick Donald Trump off the primary ballot for his actions on January 6. And a United Nations report has found "reasonable grounds to believe" Israelis were victims of sexual violence during the October 7 Hamas attack.

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Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Krishnadev Calamur, James Hider, Lisa Thomson and Ben Adler. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Vice President Kamala Harris calls for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as the U.S. begins airdropping food into Gaza. In an apparent effort to depose Haiti's prime minister, armed gangs stormed two prisons and let thousands of inmates escape. And France moves to not just bolster the right to an abortion, in contrast to the U.S., but to enshrine that right into the country's constitution.

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Today's episode was edited by Hannah Bloch, Mark Katkov, Miguel Macias and Ben Adler. It was produced by Julie Depenbrock, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Why is it so complicated to save the Everglades?

The Everglades is home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere and a sanctuary for over three dozen endangered and threatened species. It also provides fresh water, flood control, and a buffer against hurricanes and rising seas for about 9 million Floridians.

But climate change, pollution, agriculture and rapid development are causing potentially irreversible damage.

In 2000, the state of Florida and the federal government struck an extraordinary deal to save the Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world.

But from the moment it was signed into law, things got complicated.

Now almost 25 years later, the Everglades is as endangered as ever, and the problems have become even more difficult—and expensive—to solve.

Today on The Sunday Story, Ayesha Rascoe talks with WLRN'sJenny Staletovich. Jenny has a new podcast series out called Bright Lit Placethat tells the dramatic story of the Everglades, what's been done to the ecosystem, and what needs to happen to save it.

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The latest in U.S. politics, from presidential border visits to an averted government shutdown. Oregon's state legislature votes to recriminalize drug possession, overhauling what may be the U.S.'s most progressive drug policy yet. Thousands vied for a seat in Iran's parliament on Friday, but voter turnout was low.

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is being laid to rest after dying in prison for charges widely seen as politically motivated. Gaza health authorities say more than 100 civilians were killed trying to get food from aid trucks, though Israel says that number is much lower. And scientists have started cloning genetically modified pigs with organs designed to be transplanted into people.

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Today's episode was edited by Mark Katkov, Hannah Bloch, Scott Hensley, HJ Mai and Ben Adler. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, our technical director is Zac Coleman and our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.

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The Supreme Court will decide if Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his official actions as president. Mitch McConnell plans to step down as Senate Republican leader at the end of the year. And the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 30,000.

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Today's episode was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Kelsey Snell, Hannah Bloch, HJ Mai and Ben Adler. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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President Joe Biden celebrated an easy win in Tuesday's Michigan primary. But it came with a warning on Gaza. Hunter Biden testifies today in the House GOP impeachment probe into his father. And could the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that gave fertilized eggs the same rights as children spur other states to do the same?

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Today's episode was edited by Megan Pratz, Kelsey Snell, Barbara Sprunt, HJ Mai and Ben Adler. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Michigan is holding its presidential primaries today, and some Democrats say they're voting uncommitted instead of President Biden. Some Michigan voters warn Biden to change course on the Israel-Hamas war. What's the president hearing from voters who delivered the state in 2020? Also, the United States goes to court to stop a grocery megamerger. Kroger and Albertsons propose to combine. What does it mean for your neighborhood supermarket?

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Today's episode was edited by Reena Advani, Emily Kopp, HJ Mai and Ben Adler. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to move ahead with a ground offensive in the border city of Rafah, even though a ceasefire deal may delay the operation. The battle over free speech on social media reaches the U.S. Supreme Court, and Congress faces yet another government shutdown deadline this week.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Mark Katkov, Ben Adler and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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In the sleepy town of Asebu, a few miles inland from the Atlantic along Ghana's Cape Coast, a serene 5,000 acre rural settlement is rising out of the palm forests and farmland.

Pan-African Village is envisioned as an idyllic haven for settlers from the African diaspora. It was established in 2019, after a local chief announced that anyone from the diaspora could have plots for free. Hundreds of people, largely from North America and the Caribbean, have accepted the offer and are in the midst of building large homes.

They regard themselves as the first wave of settlers, carving a new life in their ancestral homeland, devoid of racism and repression. But while locals have tentatively welcomed returning diaspora, Ghana is also experiencing some of the worst economic conditions in decades. In Pan-African Village, brewing tensions over ownership and privileged access to the land are threatening to spill over into violence and unravel the promise of this diaspora haven.

This week on The Sunday Story, producer Andrew Mambo speaks with Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR's West Africa Correspondent, about the complicated relationship between the diaspora settlers and the place they see as their ancestral home.

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As the Russia-Ukraine War heads into its third year, we look at the state of the conflict. Also, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has spent millions in her home state and sharpened her attacks on former President Donald Trump, hoping to chip away at his support.

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Lawmakers in Alabama are working on a legislative solution to a recent state Supreme Court decision which ruled that a frozen embryo has the same rights as a child. How do lawmakers want to fix the issue? Tomorrow will mark the two-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We'll check with NPR's Joanna Kakissis to hear how people in Ukraine feel about the future. And a data leak from a Chinese technology company is giving the world a glimpse into the Chinese cyber spying ecosystem.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Susanna Capelouto, Mark Katkov, Andrew Sussman and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and Phil Edfors, and our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is ramping up her attacks on former President Donald Trump, but her path to winning the GOP nomination remains very narrow at best. Why is she staying in the race? A key witness in the Republican-led impeachment inquiry against President Biden has been charged with lying about an alleged bribery scheme. And a new study shows that nearly half of all American adults know someone who died from an overdose. How is this affecting the people who are closest to the crisis?

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Lisa Thompson, Krishnadev Calamur, Andrea De Leon and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez and our technical director is Hannah Gluvna.

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The Supreme Court today hears a challenge to the EPA's authority to regulate air quality. Three GOP-led states want the court to freeze a plan that limits air pollution that crosses state borders. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has vowed to stay in the presidential race through Super Tuesday. But Saturday's primary in her home state is shaping up to be another decisive victory for former President Donald Trump. What's her case for staying in the race? And Alabama's Supreme Court rules that fertilized eggs have the same rights as children.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Padma Rama, Susanna Capelouto and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Neisha Heinis.

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WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange will be in a London courtroom today. He's trying to stop his extradition to the United States. A planned Israeli invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza may force Palestinians into Egypt despite its objections. What will it mean for the more than 1 million Palestinians in Rafah displaced by Israel's war against Hamas? And Louisiana's legislature is in a special session that threatens to undo some of the state's recent criminal justice reforms. Lawmakers will consider over two dozen bills, including a bill that would make state executions easier.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Miguel Macias, Mark Katkov, Liz Baker and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Russia has taken control of a frontline city in Ukraine only days before the war's second anniversary. With supplies running low, will Ukraine's defense forces be able to withstand a Russian assault? Despite international pressure, Israel seems set on a ground invasion of Rafah. Its stated goal is to destroy Hamas, but the city is filled with over a million displaced civilians searching for safety. And Texas plans to build a new military base in the border city of Eagle Pass. It's the latest escalation in the immigration fight between Texas and the federal government.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Mark Katkov, Denice Rios and HJ Mai. It was produced by Claire Murashima, Ben Abrams and Milton Guevara. We get engineering support from Stacy Abbott and our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Mass shootings in America are now regular news. The latest happened days ago, at a Super Bowl parade for the Kansas City Chiefs. After the chaos and shock, the same question gets asked, "How did we get here?" In looking for an answer you can go all the way back to the founding of the nation and the birth of the relationship between the gun industry and the American government.

Today on The Sunday Story producer Andrew Mambo talks to reporter Alain Stevens of The Trace and host of WBUR's podcast The Gun Machine. They talk about the roots of that relationship and how despite being deeply intertwined and often mutually beneficial, it has also led to scenes like the one in Kansas City.

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Family and allies of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny say he was murdered. A New York judge ordered Trump Organization leaders to pay $364 million for fraud. President Joe Biden's tough words on Israel raise questions over the extent of his influence.

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Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny dies in prison. An Atlanta judge will decide if the prosecutor on Trump's Georgia election interference case, should be removed for a conflict of interest stemming from a romantic relationship. Israel plans to push Palestinians out of Southern Gaza as Israeli forces raid the region's largest hospital. And, two juveniles are in custody related to the Kansas City shooting as public looks for answers.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Ben Swasey, Catherine Laidlaw, Mohamad ElBardicy and HJ Mai.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lilly Quiroz.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Zac Coleman. And our Executive Producer is Erika Aguilar

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22 people were shot including children during the Kansas City Super Bowl parade, at least one person has died. Sources believe National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan will brief top lawmakers on the threat of Russian antisatellite nukes. And, migrant crossings at the southern border have dropped by 50% after reaching record numbers in December.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Cheryl Corley, Dana Farrington Alfredo Carbajal, and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lilly Quiroz.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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House Republicans voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Aljandro Mayorkas accusing him with refusal to comply with immigration laws and breach of public trust. Vice President Kamala Harris heads to Germany to reassure NATO allies that they can rely on U.S. support. And exit polls show Indonesia's defense minister will be the new president of a country that plays a role in the South China Sea security.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Roberta Rampton, Miguel Macias, and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lilly Quiroz.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Neisha Heinis.

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As Israel plans an offensive in Rafah, negotiators are meeting in Cairo to discuss a path towards a ceasefire in Gaza. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Ukraine meeting with NATO allies with be virtual after cancelling his trip Brussels due to health complications. And after nearly nine years away, Jon Stewart returns to The Daily Show just in time for the presidential campaign.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Lisa Thomson, Miguel Macias and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lilly Quiroz.
We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Israel is telling 1.4 million Palestinians sheltering in Southern Gaza to evacuate, as attacks continue in Rafah. Former President Donald Trump threatened to abandon NATO allies if they don't spend more on defense. And, after sinking a bipartisan bill to handle the border crisis, Republicans are calling on President Joe Biden to use executive action to solve the problem.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Andrew Sussman and Mohamed ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Lilly Quiroz.
We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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What happens when you put friendship at the center of your life?

NPR's Rhaina Cohen has been thinking about this question for years. It started when she met someone. This someone was not a lover, but a friend. As their relationship deepened, Cohen began to wonder why there wasn't a special term for a platonic relationship that felt romantic, or an understanding of partnerships that went beyond the status of "best friend."

In today's episode of The Sunday Story, host Ayesha Rascoe sits down with Rhaina Cohen to talk about her forthcoming book, The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center.

You can listen to the song, "Dear Friend," by Rings of Maplehere.

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Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of the southern end of Gaza. The failure of a border control measures shows the waning power of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to win their second consecutive NFL championship.

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A special counsel report says President Joe Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his tenure as vice president, but stopped short of recommending charges. Ukraine is replacing it's top general amidst stalled progress in the war with Russia. And, federal authorities seize former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's passport as he faces allegations of plotting a coup.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Ally Schweitzer, Tara Neill and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.
And our executive producer is Erika Aguilar.

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The Supreme Court is set to rule on Colorado's controversial decision to disqualify Donald Trump from the primary ballot, a case with significant implications for the 2024 presidential election. A U.S. drone strike in Baghdad targets a senior commander of an Iran-backed militia, raising questions of escalation in the Middle East. Pakistan is on edge as a contentious election is underway amidst an economic and political crisis.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Krishnadev Calamur, Miguel Macias, and Mohamad ElBardicy. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Robert Rodriguez. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken lands in Israel with Hamas' first public response to a ceasefire deal, which Qatari negotiators describe as "generally positive." Democrats blame former President Donald Trump for sinking a bipartisan Senate bill meant to address the crisis at the border. And, there's more attention on the legal responsibilities of parents with guns after a Michigan jury found the mother of the 2021 Oxford Highschool shooter guilty of manslaughter.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Gerry Holmes, Kelsey Snell, Catherine Laidlaw, and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Widespread flooding in southern California is turning hillsides into rivers of mud, as a slow-moving storm brings life threatening conditions to the Los Angles area. Both Democrats and Republicans will head to the polls in Nevada on Tuesday to vote for their party's presidential nominee, but many Republicans won't have all the choices on the ballot. And Dartmouth college is reinstating standardized testing requirements in admissions, citing research that shows it might help disadvantaged students.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Sadie Babits, Nichole Cohen and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Julie Depenbrock.
We get engineering support from Phil Edfors. And our technical director is Stacey Abbott.

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The U.S. carried out more strikes on Iranian-backed groups as Secretary Antony Blinken heads to the Middle East to try and avoid further escalation. The Senate unveiled a $118 billion bipartisan Immigration bill meant to address national security at home and abroad, but House Republicans say it's dead on arrival. And, torrential rainfall in Los Angles, California didn't stop Taylor Swift from making history winning her 4th Album of the Year Grammy Award.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Gerry Holmes, Sadie Babits, Bilal Qureshi and Mohamad El Bardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent.
And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Since its debut in 2008, NPR's Tiny Desk has become a must-stop destination for music superstars like Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys but also for lesser-known musicians, including those who compete in the annual Tiny Desk contest.

Today on The Sunday Story host Ayesha Rascoe talks to senior producer Bobby Carter about the Tiny Desk series, how it has evolved over time and how the Tiny Desk contest has opened the door to the music industry for many artists.

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The U.S. attacked 85 targets in Iraq and Syria in retaliation for the deaths of three American servicemembers last weekend. Tech executives were grilled at a Capitol Hearing. And the scene at a park in Eagle Pass, Texas, where federal and state authorities are each seeking control over the border.

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President Biden sanctions Israelis for violence in the West Bank. What can turnout in today's South Carolina Democratic primary tell us about the general election in November? One year after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine Ohio, some residents are still putting their lives back together.

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The House approves a three-year expansion for the Child Tax Credit. E.U. leaders back a $50 billion Ukraine aid package as the country struggles with tensions between the president and his military chief. And Universal Music Group pulls some of the world's most popular artists from TikTok.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Mark Katkov, Rose Friedman and Olivia Hampton.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Qatar's prime minister sounds a cautious note on the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal. The Federal Reserve weighs when to cut interest rates. And electric vehicle sales slow.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Jan Johnson, Rafael Nam, Christine Arrasmith and Olivia Hampton.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The U.S. weighs a response to a drone strike that killed American soldiers, Texas bars federal agents from entering a park used by migrants illegally entering the U.S. and a farmers' blockade reaches Paris.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Gerry Holmes, Eric Westervelt, Mark Katkov and Olivia Hampton.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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President Biden vows to respond to a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers at a remote base in Jordan. Israel accuses the main U.N. agency in Gaza of aiding Hamas in its October 7 attack. And House Republicans seek to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Mark Katkov, Gerry Holmes, Kelsey Snell and Olivia Hampton.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Ana Perez.
We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Primary season has just begun but for most Republicans, it's a wrap. The question now is not who the party will pick as its presidential candidate but who former President Donald Trump will choose as his running mate. Today on The Sunday Story, we turn to our colleagues at NPR's Politics Podcast as they consider the vice presidency and who might be on Trump's short list.

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A jury ordered former president Donald Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her. President Biden is heading to South Carolina to shore up support from Black voters. What the international court decision on the Gaza conflict means.

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The UN's top court will deliver its interim ruling on the genocide charges brought against Israel by South Africa. Campaign politics is putting a bipartisan Senate border deal in limbo as former President Donald Trump urges Republican lawmakers to reject it. And, The Biden Administration is pausing approval of new natural gas export facilities as it weighs their impact on climate change.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Sadie Babits, Ally Schweitzer and Mohamad ElBardicy.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott and our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Nikki Haley makes a major push in her home state of South Carolina. New revelations suggest Boeing could be at fault for a door plug blowout on a 737 MAX plane. And a man on Alabama's death row is set to be executed using nitrogen gas.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Rusell Lewis, Barrie Hardymon and Olivia Hampton. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Donald Trump wins New Hampshire's GOP primary. Nikki Haley banks on the upcoming contest in her home state of South Carolina. And mass protests are expected in Argentina against the new president's economic reform plans.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Taylor Haney and Olivia Hampton. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Hannah Gluvna. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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The New Hampshire primary takes place today, with the Republican field essentially reduced to two presidential candidates: Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. Twenty-one soldiers are killed near the border with Gaza in the Israeli military's deadliest incident since the start of the war. And the parents of a teen who opened fire at his suburban Detroit high school in 2021 face trial over their criminal responsibility for having purchased the semi-automatic handgun he used to kill four.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Gerry Holmes, Cheryl Corley and Olivia Hampton.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

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Ron DeSantis endorses Donald Trump ahead of New Hampshire primary. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates a Hindu temple on the site of a historic mosque. And Democrats launch an abortion rights campaign tour.

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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Megan Pratz, Roberta Rampton, Miguel Macias and Olivia Hampton.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ben Abrams and Kaity Kline. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Zac Coleman.

Clarification: In this episode, we say that abortion used to be a constitutional right. To be precise, abortion used to be a fundamental right protected under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in 2022 in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case that abortion was as not a constitutional right nor a fundamental right protected by the Constitution.

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Medical errors happen all the time. They can be overlooked or they can lead to big lawsuits and settlements. But what they rarely lead to is an apology. Doctors and hospitals have long responded to medical mistakes with silence. There are many reasons for this approach: fear of legal liability, loss of status, even shame. But increasingly, patients, families, and yes, doctors, are calling for a new approach, one that acknowledges the lasting damage that comes from a failure to address medical mistakes. This week on The Sunday Story, we talk to Tradeoffs health reporters about a family with a nightmarish story of a what they say was a medical error, and a look at what's being done to keep others from suffering in the same way.

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Former President Donald Trump gets an endorsement from Senator Tim Scott just ahead of the NH primary. Also, several dozen countries hold elections this year - we take a step-back to consider what's at stake for global democracy.

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A report from the Justice Department finds multiple failures in how law enforcement responded to the shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Congress has passed yet another short term funding bill against the wishes of the far-right Freedom Caucus. And Iran's role in a number of conflicts in neighboring countries.

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A communications blackout has hindered humanitarian efforts in Gaza as intense fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas militants claims more lives. Pakistan has carried out airstrikes in Iran, following Iran's incursion on its territory. And republican lawmakers continue to delay more U-S aid for Ukraine until democrats agree to changes in immigration policy.

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What's behind the uptick in attacks between the U-S military and the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. How the presidential race for the republican nomination looks in New Hampshire. And today, the Supreme Court hears a case that could upend federal regulations.

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Former President Donald Trump wins the Iowa caucuses by a big margin. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis comes in second. How critical is the next contest in New Hampshire for former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley?

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