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Trump names national intelligence chief Jay Clayton as new AI czar

Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing to be the next Director of National Intelligence on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Washington.

Trump said Clayton will lead the White House's new "Super Intelligence Force," which will coordinate government engagement with artificial intelligence.

(Image credit: Mariam Zuhaib)

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Cornell president calls gang rape allegations 'deeply disturbing'

Pedestrians walk on the campus at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026.

Cornell president Michael I. Kotlikoff said his university "must do better" in a video statement. "This is a defining moment in Cornell's history," he added.

(Image credit: Matt Rourke)

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U.S. Marine arrested for alleged murder of a woman in Okinawa, Japan

U.S. MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft are parked at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan, on the main island of the Okinawa archipelago, southern Japan, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Japanese police arrested a U.S. Marine in the alleged robbery and murder of a woman on Okinawa, officials said Sunday.

(Image credit: Hiro Komae)

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How the Cornell case is affecting women who have experienced sexual assault

Olivia Petter, who says the Cornell University rape allegations have "triggered" her to recall her own experiences of sexual assault.

The rape allegations that have emerged from a Cornell University frat house are leading many women to remember their own experiences — and call for a wider reckoning over sexual violence.

(Image credit: Olivia Petter)

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She died covering war for Fox News. Her parents blame the network — and a star reporter

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The family members of two Fox News journalists killed while covering the war in Ukraine are suing the network, saying it put getting the story ahead of its people.

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Latter-day Saints women turn away from scandal-plagued Republican candidate in Arizona

In this file photo, Mark Lamb then-Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, testified during a House Homeland Security Committee on February 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. Lamb is facing accusations of sexual misconduct and racist remarks when he served as sheriff. Now, he

Arizona Republican candidate for Congress Mark Lamb has been accused of sexual misconduct while sheriff. His controversy is turning many voters away as Democrats see an opportunity in the red seat.

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Coast Guard searching for missing medical plane carrying 6 people

The U.S. Coast Guard says it has deployed a helicopter, like this one pictured in July, as well as two search and rescue planes and a motor lifeboat to search for the plane that disappeared Saturday off the coast of Massachusetts.

Flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes, then leveled off for several more minutes, before disappearing.

(Image credit: Heather Diehl)

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Can the Cornell lawsuit force changes that make students safer?

Universities have responsibilities when students report sexual assault, even if prosecutors don't bring charges. Attorney Baine Kerr explains how those protections work.

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Opinion: A Hawk is not the same as a Hawkeye

Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testifies Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill.

This was emphasized to people watching a Senate hearing this week, where confusion over two basketball teams was on display.

(Image credit: Allison Robbert)

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Economist Betsey Stevenson breaks down the gender gap in recent hiring reports

The U.S. economy added fewer jobs than expected last month and unemployment ticked up to 4.2%. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Betsey Stevenson, an economist at the University of Michigan.

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Just short of its 200th birthday, a landmark natural history museum shuts down

The Academy of Natural Sciences Museum

Beloved for its dinosaurs, Philadelphia's storied Academy of Natural Sciences closed down this week, amid an intense fight by local residents, politicians and scientists to save it.

(Image credit: Andrew Stelzer for NPR)

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All's fair in love and 'War' — a well-cast, classy-trashy divorce drama

HBO

HBO's_War_ is intended to be an anthology series about two dueling London law firms. The first season stars Dominic West and Sienna Miller as a high-profile couple in the midst of a very nasty divorce.

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How the system failed us: Former foster youth tell their stories

Clockwise from upper left: Marissa Pike, Tyrone Laundersville, Rasheeda McCrae and Samanthya Marlatt share their experiences in foster care.

Former foster youth with disabilities tell their stories — of how they got through foster care

(Image credit: Sophie Park, Kathryn Gamble and Wesley Lapointe for NPR)

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The Supreme Court faces another term jam-packed with controversy

Broadcast journalists work in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15. The new term begins on Monday.

The Supreme Court term opens on Monday with big test cases on religion, guns and climate change. Plus, the emergency docket keeps popping.

(Image credit: Roberto Schmidt)

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No one expected an American pope. Here's the inside story of how 'Bob' became Pope Leo

Robert Prevost is seen in the Vatican

When the 2025 conclave began, no one expected an American pope. But by its end, Cardinal Robert Prevost had become Pope Leo. Here's a look behind the scenes.

(Image credit: Franco Origlia)

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A hot tip to battle performance anxiety? 'Pretend flush' a mistake down the toilet

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Worried about stumbling before a high-stakes event, like a race or a job interview? Psychologist Cindra Kamphoff offers creative strategies to overcome the jitters and build confidence in the moment.

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Brazil's big political rematch: What to know

<!-- raw HTML omitted -->Towels and caps for sale depicting Brazilian presidential candidates Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro are seen in a residential area of Brasília on September 11, 2026. Brazil will hold a presidential elections on October 4, 2026.

Four years after President Lula narrowly defeated Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil is back at the ballot box. This time, Lula faces Bolsonaro's son, Flávio, in a high-stakes rematch.

(Image credit: Sergio Lima)

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As Trump's proposed arch looms over D.C., protesters pin their hopes on the midterms

Demonstrators gathered Thursday morning to protest Trump

Democratic lawmakers, veterans and concerned citizens gathered in Memorial Circle to protest the arch Trump wants to build there. Their hopes lie primarily in a lawsuit and next month's midterms.

(Image credit: Saul Loeb)

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Germany's political center fights for relevance after far-right and far-left gains

German Chancellor and leader of Germany

Centrist politicians are soul-searching after electoral gains by the far right and the far left. Today's weak coalitions, political fragmentation and dire economy echo a past that led to the rise of fascism.

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Pro-Trump Influencer Benny Johnson is being sued for defamation by ICE protesters

Demonstrators gather within the "free speech zone" near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing and detention facility on October 31, 2025, in Broadview, Ill.

The lawsuit says the prominent conservative podcaster falsely claimed the protesters were assaulting ICE officers during demonstrations at an ICE facility in Illinois last year.

(Image credit: Jamie Kelter Davis)

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October 1 ushered in a new era in U.S. foreign aid. What's the plan? Will it work?

In December, State Department senior official Jeremy Lewin welcomed Rwanda Foreign Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe for the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding on global health cooperation.

The America First strategy asks for a Memorandum of Understanding as a condition for healthcare and development aid. It's been praised for promoting self-reliance but criticized for its conditions.

(Image credit: U.S. Office of Foreign Assistance)

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Cloaked in anonymity, Israeli soldiers describe mass civilian killings in 'NAZA'

Much of the documentary <!-- raw HTML omitted -->NAZA<!-- raw HTML omitted --> is filmed on the rooftops of Tel Aviv, where Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham conducted one-on-one interviews with Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel.

NAZA is an acronym for nezek agavi, Hebrew for "collateral damage." It refers to the number of civilian casualties the Israeli military deems acceptable. The documentary is made by Israeli filmmakers.

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The U.S. added only 29,000 jobs in September as job market lacks spark

Restaurants and bars added 11,000 jobs in September, about a third of all the jobs added during the month. Job gains for July and August were revised downward.

U.S. employers added 29,000 jobs in September as the unemployment rate inched up to 4.2%. Job gains for July and August were revised down by a total of 60,000 jobs, extending a lackluster run for the job market.

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Cornell rape case gets special prosecutor. And, Renee Good's family sues the government

New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference regarding legislation on artificial intelligence on Sept. 21, 2026, in New York City.

New legal action in two closely watched cases: one at Cornell, the other over Renee Good's death. We take a closer look.

(Image credit: Michael M. Santiago)

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Why is diesel more expensive than regular gas?

Diesel fuel has been pricier than regular gasoline, with a few exceptions, since 2004

Diesel hasn't always been more expensive than other gasoline. Then in 2004, a switch happened due to air quality standards, demand, and taxes. In this week's Indicator newsletter, we dig into diesel prices, what kind of fun people are buying, and other forms of making your tax bill smaller.

(Image credit: David Zalubowski/AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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San Francisco's car crime has plunged. How much credit does Flock deserve?

SAN FRANCISCO - JUNE 13: An automated license plate reader is seen mounted on a pole on June 13, 2024, in San Francisco.

San Francisco leaders say AI-powered cameras helped drive a dramatic decline in car crime. We examine the evidence — and whether the city can keep its high-tech dragnet without sacrificing civil liberties.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Failed 'torturous' execution attempt on Christa Pike reignites death penalty debate

Media witnesses recount the moments before the execution of Christa Pike was halted Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

The botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike – who survived despite being subject to two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday – has reignited furious debate about the death penalty in the U.S.

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Who uttered the phrase 'the ideological clowns are out' this week? The quiz knows

From left: Jack Smith, a new panda, Beyoncé.

Plus, how well do you know your pandas and fat bears?

(Image credit: ‎
Chip Somodevilla)

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He was banned by betting sites, and filed for bankruptcy. Then he relapsed on Kalshi

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The dark side of the prediction market boom is becoming more clear: Experts say the sites have become go-to outlets for gambling addicts to relapse as the companies avoid state consumer protections.

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The U.S. Senate is up for grabs. Can this Ohio Democrat win back working class votes?

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown attends a rally with the Communications Workers of America Local 4370 on Oct. 26, 2024. After losing his Senate seat two years ago, Brown is now running for the Senate again, seeking to defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Jon Husted.

After 32 years in Congress, Ohio's Sherrod Brown lost his Senate seat in 2024 as many working class voters turned out for Trump. Now Brown is counting on union voters to send him back to Washington.

(Image credit: Tom Williams)

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