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Hundreds laid off in State Department overhaul

The U.S. Department of State sign in Washington, D.C.

The State Department is slashing hundreds of jobs in what's being called its biggest shake-up in decades — drawing sharp criticism from former diplomats who say the cuts risk gutting America's diplomatic muscle.

(Image credit: Beata Zawrzel)

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State Department undergoes deep cuts in sweeping reorganization

The U.S. Department of State sign in Washington, D.C.

The State Department is slashing hundreds of jobs in what's being called its biggest shake-up in decades — drawing sharp criticism from former diplomats who say the cuts risk gutting America's diplomatic muscle.

(Image credit: Beata Zawrzel)

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Trump to assess Texas flood damage today. And, DOGE has access to farmers' payments

Fire Station Acuna Mexico performs search and rescue operations in the Guadalupe River near Camp Mystic on July 10 in Hunt, Texas.

President Trump is heading to Texas to assess the damage caused by the recent flooding. DOGE has access to a database that controls government payments to farmers and ranchers.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

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Next time you see a vulture picking over a carcass, say 'thank you!'

A Eurasian griffon feeds on a buffalo carcass at Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India, on March 3, 2024.

Large scavengers like vultures and hyenas do an important job in protecting human health. But studies show these creatures are on the decline, allowing for the emergence of disease.

(Image credit: Anuwar Hazarika/NurPhoto)

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President Trump to survey flood damage in central Texas on Friday

President Trump is expected to visit Kerr County, Texas, on Friday to survey damage from last week's catastrophic flooding and to receive updates from local officials.

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How 3 Muslim sisters helped change the rules of American women's wrestling

Jamilah McBryde works up a sweat to cut weight in preparation for the 2025 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women

Jamilah, Zaynah and Latifah McBryde grew up wrestling one another in Buffalo, N.Y. Coaches recognized their talent, but they couldn't wear the required wrestling singlet due to their faith.

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New Hampshire judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship executive order nationwide

A federal judge in New Hampshire on Thursday blocked President Trump's executive order that attempted to end birthright citizenship, stopping it from taking effect anywhere in the U.S.

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What Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for taxes on Social Security

Many Americans received an email from the Social Security Administration applauding the passage of President Trump

Many Americans received an email from the Social Security Administration applauding the megabill's passage. Experts say it was misleading.

(Image credit: Saul Loeb)

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What AI bot started referring to itself as 'MechaHitler'? Find out in the quiz

From left: Superman, Kristi Noem, Grok.

Elon Musk and his AI have been busy. So has the TSA. And Amazon. Were you paying attention?

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Trump got his tax bill over the finish line. Now he has to sell it to voters

President Trump bangs a gavel after signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the White House on July 4.

The 900-page tax and policy package fulfills several key campaign promises but also makes cuts that could boot millions from health care and food assistance programs.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski)

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How flood sirens could have saved lives in Texas

Texas officials are considering installing flood warning sirens along a section of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County that saw catastrophic floods on July 4, 2025.

In the wake of the deadly flash floods in Texas, state leaders are exploring whether to install more flood warning sirens. Such sirens can save lives if they're part of a larger warning system.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

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As Democrats spoil for a fight, a new face in the House is leading them on oversight

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., questions witnesses during a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing on Feb. 12, 2025, on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Robert Garcia is the new top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. At a moment when his party is craving more confrontation with President Trump, he says he's ready to lean into the fray**.**

(Image credit: Rod Lamkey)

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How President Trump's support for digital currencies plays out in the crypto industry

President Trump has become a major booster of digital currency. The Planet Money team went to look into how the president's crypto enthusiasm plays out inside the industry.

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At a San Diego construction site, monarch butterflies help unite a team during COVID

Two managers at a San Diego construction project were trying to boost the morale of workers in the middle of the COVID pandemic. In this StoryCorps, hear how some monarch butterflies helped.

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European allies step up plans for Ukraine stabilization, with U.S. attending meeting

Ukraine

The force is expected to provide logistical and training experts to help reconstitute Ukraine's armed forces, secure Ukraine's skies and the Black Sea.

(Image credit: Gregorio Borgia)

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Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at Southern California farm

A demonstrator walks in front of federal agents blocking a road during an immigration raid in Camarillo, Calif., Thursday, July 10, 2025.

A confrontation erupted Thursday between protesters and federal officials carrying out a raid, with authorities throwing canisters to disperse the crowd.

(Image credit: Michael Owen Baker)

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Since COVID, threats to local school officials have nearly tripled, research finds

When the school board in Florida

Researchers at Princeton University say some instances corresponded with national attacks on DEI initiatives as well as on LGBTQ+ policies and that the targets held a variety of political views.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle)

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UNAIDS report warns HIV progress at risk as U.S. funding cuts take hold

This plaque inside a medical facility in Pretoria states that it was funded by the United States President

The UNAIDS annual report warns that Trump era HIV funding cuts could lead to 6 million more infections and 4 million deaths by 2029 — as low-income countries struggle to fill the gap.

(Image credit: PHILL MAGAKOE)

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How climate change is affecting prized tea-growing regions in China and Taiwan

Changing weather patterns and higher temperatures are affecting some of the most prized tea-growing regions in China and Taiwan.

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A harrowing journey to find food in Gaza

People carrying aid parcels walk along the Salah al-Din road, used by food-seeking Palestinians to reach an aid distribution point set up by the privately-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Israel bans international journalists from independent access to Gaza. But NPR's Anas Baba is from Gaza, and in the 21 months he has been reporting on the war, he's also been living it. Over the course of the war, he has lost a third of his body weight, and until his food supplies ran out several weeks ago, he was getting by on just one small meal a day.

Israel still tightly restricts the entry of food into Gaza. The food it does allow in is mostly distributed through new sites run by private American contractors with a group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. GHF operates under protection from the Israeli military, and the U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said this new system "is killing people."

According to health officials and international medical teams in Gaza, hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli troops as they approach these food sites. U.S. officials have accused American media of spreading Hamas misinformation.

In this episode, Anas Baba takes us on the perilous journey he made to one of these new GHF distribution sites, in an attempt to secure food.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for C_onsider This+_ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

(Image credit: Eyad Baba)

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Brazil's Lula warns of 50% tariffs on U.S. goods after Trump trade threat

A container ship docked at the Port of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Brazil's President Lula is firing back at Trump's 50% tariff threat — saying Brazil is ready to match any U.S. import taxes, dollar for dollar.

(Image credit: Dado Galdieri)

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Thousands celebrate baby hippo Moo Deng's first birthday at a Thailand zoo

Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday.

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo was overrun with Moo Deng fans on the first of four days of activities marking the birthday of the adorable social media sensation.

(Image credit: Sakchai Lalit)

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Thousands celebrate baby hippo Moo Deng's first birthday at a Thailand zoo

Baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng eats fruit presented for her first birthday celebration at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, Thursday.

Thousands of excited fans flocked to a Thai zoo on Thursday to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, the adorable baby pygmy hippo that has become a social media sensation.

(Image credit: Sakchai Lalit)

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What should you do in a flash flood? Expert safety tips for before, during and after

Vehicles sit submerged as a search and rescue worker looks through debris from the early July flash flooding in Hunt, Texas.

Flash floods can start suddenly and become dangerous quickly. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself, both in the moment and well in advance.

(Image credit: Jim Vondruska)

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A recent high-profile case of AI hallucination serves as a stark warning

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell arrives at a gathering of supporters of Donald Trump near Trump

MyPillow creator Mike Lindell's lawyers were fined thousands for submitting a legal filing riddled with AI-generated mistakes. It highlights a dilemma of balancing technology and using it responsibly.

(Image credit: Octavio Jones)

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How SCOTUS ruled to increase executive power and challenge constitutional order

New York Times reporter Adam Liptak discusses the Court's decisions to limit the power of lower courts while expanding presidential power, and its consequential use of the "shadow docket."

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This TikTok video is fake, but every word was taken from a real creator

TikTok researchers and users say there is yet another type of deception to look out for on the hit video app: Deepfake videos that copy the exact words of a real creator but in a different voice. In this case, the screenshot on the left is the original TikTok video; on the right is a copy using an apparently AI-generated persona.

TikTok researchers and users say there is yet another type of deception to look out for on the hit video app: Deepfake videos that copy the exact words of a real creator but in a different voice.

(Image credit: Bronson Arcuri/NPR)

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Why a new opioid alternative is out of reach for some pain patients

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first new kind of painkiller in 20 years. It

Journavx is the first truly new painkiller approved by the Food and Drug Administration in more than 20 years. But the drug is expensive, and many people can't get it yet.

(Image credit: Vertex Pharmaceuticals)

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Welcome to the Queue, where waiting for Wimbledon tickets rivals the tennis

Spectators wait in the Queue on day one of Wimbledon, June 30.

Tennis lovers don costumes, throw Pimm's parties and camp overnight in line for day-of Wimbledon tickets. Some say waiting in the Queue is more fun than the actual tennis.

(Image credit: Ezra Shaw)

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Nutella-maker Ferrero to gobble up cereal giant Kellogg for $3.1 billion

The Italian candy company Ferrero plans to buy the American cereal maker Kellogg for $3.1 billion, the companies announced Thursday. The deal would unite the makers of household brands including Nutella and Frosted Flakes.

Italian candy giant Ferrero offered the American breakfast company a $3.1 billion deal too sweet to pass up.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images (left photo) and Justin Sullivan/Getty Images (right photo))

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