Cuba releasing 2,010 prisoners as the US pressures the island's government

People wait their turn to enter a bank in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

The Cuban government said the pardons were a "humanitarian gesture" in connection with Holy Week and didn't mention mounting pressures with the U.S.

(Image credit: Ramon Espinosa)

NPR NewsApr 3, 2026, 4:03 AM

ICE detention deaths are on a record pace. One Texas facility bears the brunt

Entrance to Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.

ICE inspectors in February found 49 violations to detention standards at Camp East Montana, including failure from staff to"accurately document required checks to prevent significant self-harm and suicide."

(Image credit: Sergio Martínez-Beltrán)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 7:58 PM

A botanist searches for the seeds of the rare Death Valley Sage

This is the remains of an abandoned mine in the Nopah Range near Death Valley, California on Sunday March 22, 2026.

For more than 15 years, botanist Naomi Fraga has been trying to collect seeds from the rare Death Valley sage, for safekeeping in a vault of native California seeds.

(Image credit: Krystal Ramirez for NPR)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 7:54 PM

Trump administration sues three states over attempts to regulate prediction markets

An app for Kalshi, an online prediction market site, is shown on a phone. Multiple states have tried to block the company from operating, citing state gambling laws. But the federal government has sued to block those state laws to allow Kalshi and other prediction markets to operate.

The suits are the most ambitious effort to date that the Trump administration has gone to try to override state laws and set the rules for the fast-growing and increasingly divisive betting industry.

(Image credit: Scott Olson)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 6:15 PM

EPA flags microplastics, pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water

The EPA is flagging microplastics and pharmaceuticals as potentially concerning contaminants in drinking water, along with other chemicals and microbes.

There's been a lot of public is concerned about health risks from the chemicals, especially from the Make America Healthy Again movement. The agency's move doesn't in itself guarantee regulation.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 5:35 PM

Attorney General Pam Bondi out at DOJ

Attorney General Pam Bondi is seen here during congressional testimony on Oct. 07, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

President Trump has announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi is out at the Justice Department. Her departure comes amid simmering frustration over her leadership and handling of the Epstein files.

(Image credit: Win McNamee)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 4:41 PM

Ziggy Stardust and Hacky Sack: What life was like the last time we went to the moon

David Bowie debuted his Ziggy Stardust persona and released The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in 1972 — the last year humans went to the moon.

The Artemis II mission is the first time humans have headed to the moon since 1972. That year also marked the debut of The Godfather and the Egg McMuffin.

(Image credit: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 1:31 PM

'Stay Alive,' about daily life in Nazi Berlin, shows how easy it is to just go along

undefined

Historian Ian Buruma chronicles the lives of ordinary Berliners — including his own father — during World War II. Stay Alive is about the past, but has powerful lessons for the present.

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 11:31 AM

Trump makes case for Iran war. And, SCOTUS leans toward upholding birthright citizenship

President Trump speaks from the Cross Hall of the White House on April 1, 2026, in Washington, DC. Trump used the prime-time address to update the nation on the war in Iran.

President Trump addressed the nation last night, making his case for war with Iran. And, the Supreme Court majority seemed inclined to rule against the Trump administration on birthright citizenship.

(Image credit: Pool)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 10:14 AM

Iran continues strikes across the Persian Gulf despite Trump's warning

People watch as smoke billows from an oil warehouse in the Kani Qirzhala area on the outskirts of Erbil, the capital of Iraq

Iran continued to target Gulf countries with ballistic missiles and drones Thursday as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert warning of attacks by Iran-backed militias.

(Image credit: AFP via Getty Images)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 10:00 AM

As hoops betting spikes, it's New Hampshire and other states vs. prediction markets

The state of New Hampshire receives revenue from sports wagers made with DraftKings, but officials are worried that people will switch to new prediction market platforms.

In New Hampshire and states with legalized sports gambling, wagering helps fund government services. But now competitors like Kalshi and Polymarket are getting a cut of the action.

(Image credit: Zoey Knox)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 9:00 AM

Have Trump's tariffs worked? This is where things stand a year after 'Liberation Day'

President Trump ordered double-digit tariffs on nearly everything the U.S. imports on April 2 last year. This is where things now stand a year later.

It has been a year since President Trump announced double-digit tariffs on imports from around the world. So far, those levies have not produced the economic boom the president promised.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 9:00 AM

In a thunderous launch, Artemis II astronauts leave Earth. Here's what's next

The Artemis II crew — which includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (left), Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — is on their way to the moon. Here

NASA's Artemis II crew has successfully launched on a mission that will take it around the moon and back to Earth. Here's what to expect over their roughly 10-day journey.

(Image credit: Bill Ingalls)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 9:00 AM

Trump's VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it

Leann Ledford

Foreclosures on VA loans are at their highest level in a decade. VA has a fix but it is months away and could still leave vets worse off than most other homeowners.

(Image credit: Margaret Albaugh for NPR)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 8:42 AM

Morning news brief

Trump says war in Iran is 'nearing completion' in national address, Iranian officials react to President Trump's speech on Iran war, SCOTUS hears arguments on birthright citizenship.

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 8:41 AM

Pakistan is playing intermediary in the Iran war, a role it has played before

Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary in the U.S-Israel war with Iran. It played this role before, during a high-stakes moment in diplomatic history.

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 6:44 AM

U.S. lifts sanctions on Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez

Venezuela

The newly announced sanctions relief is the latest U.S. recognition of Rodríguez as a legitimate authority in Venezuela ever since the U.S. military captured her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro.

(Image credit: Ariana Cubillos)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 12:42 AM

Appeals court rejects HUD homelessness overhaul saying it would be "disastrous"

Tents are lined up on Skid Row Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.

The federal housing agency wants to shift money away from permanent housing and toward programs that impose sobriety and other conditions. Advocates warn that would push many back into homelessness.

(Image credit: Jae C. Hong)

NPR NewsApr 2, 2026, 12:11 AM

FIFA hikes World Cup prices, again. A finals ticket can now cost as much as $11,000

The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed during the official draw ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5, 2025.

FIFA has raised prices for over 40 games of the World Cup in its latest sale that kicked off Wednesday, according to an NPR count. The most expensive tickets to the final now cost $10,900.

(Image credit: Pool)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 9:27 PM

Republicans in Congress say they have a deal to end the record-long shutdown at DHS

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to members of the media on Oct. 7, 2025. The GOP leaders said Wednesday they have found a path forward to end the shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security.

The plan would fund DHS, except for immigration enforcement, through September. Republicans would then try to fund the whole agency for three years using a tactic that would not need Democratic votes.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 8:07 PM

The FDA approves a new obesity pill, giving patients another option

Foundayo, a new obesity pill made by Eli Lilly, was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The daily pill called Foundayo got a fast track through the Food and Drug Administration. It will compete with the pill form of Wegovy as an alternative to obesity drugs given by injection.

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 7:54 PM

A Turkish border town known for its cats - in times of peace

The border town of Van in Turkey is known for being a hub for Iranian travelers, its lavish breakfasts ... and its cats.

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 7:54 PM

Is the U.S. Navy ready to clear sea mines in the Persian Gulf?

The US Navy

Despite the danger of sea mines, experts say that mine clearing has received minimal attention and funding from the U.S. Navy — and it's often overshadowed by more high-profile weapons systems.

(Image credit: Suy Se)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 7:31 PM

"Lives will be lost": How the U.K.'s aid cuts may affect parts of Africa

People fleeing violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo cross into Burundi. The U.K. is set to cut aid to Africa by more than half over the next three years.

In March, the UK announced it would trim its global aid budget and set new priorities in 2027. This has some countries and organizations worried that on top of the US aid cuts, this could be unsurvivable.

(Image credit: Luis Tato/AFP)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 6:18 PM

This fringe actor finds the spotlight in Israel's most provocative film post-Oct. 7

Actor and activist Ariel Bronz, long relegated to the esoteric corners of Israel It landed him a best actor nomination at Israel's academy award ceremony last year. He didn't win.'/>

Israeli fringe actor in the spotlight for anti-war film

(Image credit: Ofir Berman for NPR)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 5:48 PM

Trump to address nation at critical moment in his war with Iran

President Trump speaks during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office on March 3. Chancellor Merz is the first European leader to visit President Trump since the United States and Israel launched their war against Iran.

The address comes after weeks of uncertainty over when and how the U.S. could extricate itself from the conflict .

(Image credit: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 5:02 PM

Supreme Court hears challenge to birthright citizenship as Trump attends arguments

Demonstrators rally in support of birthright citizenship outside the U.S. Supreme Court as President Donald Trump attends oral arguments in Washington, D.C., on April 1.

A majority of Supreme Court justices peppered Solicitor General D. John Sauer with skeptical questions about the Trump administration's position that birthright citizenship should not apply to babies born to immigrants in the country illegally.

(Image credit: Kent Nishimura)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 4:22 PM

A propaganda war on the National Mall pits Trump against satirical statues and posters

A satirical statue of President Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein went up in front of the U.S. Capitol in February. The temporary statue drew huge crowds that amplified the image by posting it on social media. The statue is a play on the iconic scene from the film Titanic and is called "King of the World."

The Trump administration and its critics are waging a war of images on the National Mall like none before. The president's face stares down from federal buildings while statues and posters mock him below.

(Image credit: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 4:14 PM

Federal judge rules DHS illegally stripped immigration status from thousands who entered through CBP One App

Tuesday's ruling reinstates the immigration status of those who came via CBP One and whose status was terminated.

NPR NewsApr 1, 2026, 3:15 PM

After Israel's invasion, many in southern Lebanon worry they'll never go home

Joseph Elias Issa, 56, was displaced from Kfar Houneh where he lived with his family in southern Lebanon following the Israeli invasion. A farmer, he took two mules and is now staying in a a shepherd

Israel says it's creating a "security zone" inside Lebanon, where homes will be demolished, and residents won't be allowed to return home until people in northern Israel feel safe.

(Image credit: Claire Harbage)