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Oaklee, Oakley, Oakleigh: Parents branch out to oak-based names, especially in red states

Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names now, but Social Security Administration data shows oak-based names are gaining popularity, particularly in conservative parts of the country.

The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war

American levies on Chinese goods will drop from at least 145% to 30% for an initial period of 90 days, while Chinese levies are set to fall from at least 125% to 10% on American goods.

The PKK Kurdish militant group will disband as part of a peace initiative with Turkey

The Kurdish militant group announced a historic decision Monday to disband and disarm, after four decades of armed conflict. It comes days after it convened a party congress in northern Iraq.

Zelenskyy challenges Putin to meet him in Turkey ‘personally’ for ceasefire talks

Ukraine and European allies had demanded Russia accept a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday before holding talks, but Moscow effectively rejected the proposal and called for direct negotiations instead.

Detained ex-President Duterte is among the candidates in Philippines midterms

Duterte has been in custody of the International Criminal Court awaiting trial for crimes against humanity. That hasn't stopped him from running for mayor of his southern Davao city stronghold.

Qatar is said to be giving Trump a new plane

The offer, which comes on the eve of Trump's visit to the Middle East, raises major ethical and legal questions.

U.S. halts cattle imports from Mexico, citing fears of flesh-eating maggot

The New World screwworm is endemic in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean — and its northward spread into Mexico has alarmed U.S. officials. It can kill a full-grown cow in one to two weeks. 

U.S. and China cite progress in trade talks but release few details

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said details will be released Monday after a weekend of talks in Switzerland.

Hamas says it will release Israeli American Edan Alexander, held hostage in Gaza

Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, is the last remaining American citizen held by Hamas in Gaza who is believed to still be alive. President Trump confirmed the plans for his release.

Here’s what U.S. Catholics are saying about the election of Pope Leo XIV

At services on Sunday, some Catholics took particular pride in the election of the first American pontiff, who has familial ties to multiple places across the country.

The U.S. has a plan for getting food into Gaza. Top aid groups object to the idea

The proposed solution would only provide food and aid to around 60 percent of Gaza's civilians initially, according to a copy of the proposal reviewed by NPR.

Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, saying ‘Never again war’

In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of aid

Luxury dog hotels give some people pause amid the inequality of South Africa

High-end accommodations for pooches are thriving in one of the world's most unequal countries. They have their defenders and their critics. Who's barking up the right tree?

I wanted to know why my mom was so hard on us kids growing up. So I finally asked

"Work hard my children." That's what my mother always told me and my siblings. All I wanted to do was play hide and seek and netball. Years later, we had a good talk about her parenting style. Essay by Esther Ngumbi. Editor: Marc Silver. Publishing Sunday morning. Adapted from an earlier essay by Esther Ngumbi from a few years ago.

India and Pakistan ceasefire shaken by overnight fighting in disputed Kashmir region

People on both sides of the Line of Control, which divides the territory, reported heavy exchanges of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops. The fighting subsided by Sunday morning.

We asked, you answered. Here are your most memorable moments with Mom for Mother’s Day

NPR received nearly 500 submissions from around the country and beyond from people who shared favorite memories of their mothers — whether she's still present for them to hug or lives on in their hearts.

Federal employee unions fight for survival as Trump tries to eviscerate them

In 1978, Congress gave federal workers the right to organize and bargain collectively, finding it in the public interest. Now Trump wants to end those labor rights for most of the federal workforce.

Sunday Puzzle: Initial fame

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe plays the puzzle with WITF listener Tom Rymsza of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.

Zelenskyy welcomes Russian overtures, but says ceasefire must come before peace talks

Zelenskyy called Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to start talks without a ceasefire a "positive sign," and said that "the entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time."

Tariff troubles: A rubber duck museum is migrating to Canada to stay afloat

Upset by tariffs and President Trump's insistence on making them the 51st state, Canadians are boycotting the U.S. Without them, the Rubber Duck Museum can't stay afloat. So, it's moving to Canada.

Slightly unusual ‘atmospheric river’ event to hit Southeast U.S.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says an "atmospheric river" event is set to hit Florida and other parts of the Southeast. The weather event typically occurs in the West.

He graduated from college at age 79. A campus tragedy inspired him to enroll

The Vietnam veteran and former businessman got his diploma from South Carolina State University on Friday. He signed up for classes after hearing about the police killing of protesting students in 1968.

India and Pakistan accuse each other of violating ceasefire hours after reaching deal

The blame game began only hours after President Trump announced Saturday that the U.S. had mediated an immediate ceasefire.

The FDA approves first U.S. at-home tool as a Pap-smear alternative

Women can use a wand to collect a vaginal sample, then mail it to a lab that will screen for cervical cancer. The device will be available by prescription through a telehealth service.

U.S. and China begin talks amid tensions over Trump’s tariff war

The meetings between top U.S. and Chinese officials in Geneva represent the first potential efforts to end a trade war that has frazzled financial markets.

Ukraine’s allies push for 30-day ceasefire starting Monday

U.K. Prime Minister says Europe and the U.S. are "calling out" Putin, by proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday.

Opinion: My hometown pope

News of an American pope, and a Chicagoan, causes NPR's Scott Simon to remember what it was like attending Mass in his hometown.

Trump aims to fast track Alabama coal build-out, citing US need. Nearly all the coal is bound for export

A Trump effort to streamline the project would benefit the overseas steelmaking industry while putting Alabamians and the environment at risk.

The Fox-to-Trump Funnel sweeps up Jeanine Pirro of ‘The Five’

Jeanine Pirro is the latest Fox News personality to join the Trump administration. She will serve as the interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., replacing Ed Martin whose confirmation ran into problems in the Senate.

This opera tells the story of ‘The Central Park Five,’ Donald Trump’s role included

In 1989, Trump took out full-page newspaper ads demanding the death penalty "for roving bands of wild criminals." The Detroit Opera decided to program this work long before the presidential election.

Republicans seek more state laws on transgender people, putting Democrats on the spot

Since North Carolina passed a "bathroom" law in 2016, the number of bills has grown and Republicans have used the issue in campaigns. Democrats are still working out how to respond.

Why some friendships end after kids come into the picture

It can be tough to navigate relationships when our friends start having kids. This guide can help both parents and child-free folks figure out how to stay connected in a new life stage.