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Spain and Portugal begin recovering from a massive blackout. Here’s what to know
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said a nationwide blackout of this scale had never happened before in Spain. He added that the underlying cause remains unclear.
At the Kennedy Center, a concert honors the 2025 NEA Jazz Masters amidst turbulence
In a fraught moment for two institutions behind the awards, this year's NEA Jazz Masters ceremony celebrated musicians who have upheld the genre's legacy while looking anxiously toward an uncertain future.
Trump thinks Hegseth will ‘get it together’ amid Pentagon staff chaos
As questions swirl around the fate of the secretary of defense, former colleagues paint a troubling picture of Hegseth's Pentagon.
The White House threatens sanctuary cities in another EO, but courts are skeptical
President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at identifying sanctuary cities, part of a broader effort to target jurisdictions that limit cooperation with ICE.
DOGE employees gain accounts on classified networks holding nuclear secrets
Two DOGE employees have access to a network used to transmit classified nuclear weapons data and a separate network used by the Department of Defense, sources tell NPR.
Putin declares a 3-day ceasefire for May’s WWII anniversary. Ukraine says why wait?
Russia declared a three-day ceasefire in Ukraine starting May 8 for the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. Ukraine called for an immediate, 30-day truce instead.
This Hollywood memoir is an expertly mixed cocktail of history and family drama
Matthew Specktor grew up the son of a famous Hollywood agent. In The Golden Hour he serves up family saga, cultural criticism, fictionalized biography, history and lament for a vanishing world.
DHL reverses course and resumes shipping packages valued over $800 to U.S. consumers
The policy reversal comes one week after the global shipping company said it would halt such shipments due to new U.S. customs rules.
A major power outage is reported in Spain and Portugal, disabling their capitals
Subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights, ATM machines and more were knocked offline in the two countries and parts of France around midday Monday.
Conclave to elect the next pope will commence on May 7
The decision was made at the Fifth General Congregation, held on Monday morning in the Vatican's Synod Hall. The conclave will take place in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, which will remain closed to visitors during those days.
As a diversity grant dies, young scientists fear it will haunt their careers
The Trump administration defunded the National Institute of Health's MOSAIC grant program, which launched the careers of scientists from diverse backgrounds.
What connects Fredéric Chopin, Marcel Proust and Jim Morrison? A final resting place
The Secret Life of a Cemetery is a paean to the renowned Parisian cemetery, Père Lachaise. There, 10,000 visitors a day seek the graves of some 4,500 notable figures.
Supreme Court to hear school disability discrimination case
At issue is a case testing the reach of federal laws that promise special help for children with disabilities in public schools. Specifically: What do parents have to prove in order to get that specialized help?
What has DOGE done in Trump’s first 100 days?
100 days into President Trump's second term, DOGE hasn't delivered on its promised savings, efficiency or transparency in meaningful ways. But it has amassed unprecedented power over government data.
Financial stress can damage your mental health. These steps may help
With people losing their jobs and the stock market rocky, there's a lot of financial anxiety right now. Research shows how you approach it can be key to protecting your mental and physical health.
NATO chief calls for more defense spending from Europe and Canada
President Trump has long been a critic of NATO and believes Europe does not contribute enough to its own defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agrees, and says 'that is going to happen.'
Trump needs unity among Republicans to pass his budget bill. Can he get it?
Congress returns from a two-week recess with a massive item on its to-do list: budget reconciliation. Lawmakers barely passed the plan's framework along party lines and now face an uphill battle on reaching consensus.
Worried that she might have cancer, a young woman is comforted by a kind stranger
After getting some irregular test results, Alexis Agnew left her doctor's appointment in tears. On her way out of the office, a receptionist stopped Alexis and comforted her while she cried.
Canada’s election: all you need to know
Canada's snap election has been dominated by one politician — who's not even in the race — President Trump.
Violinist Esther Abrami uncovers ‘hidden treasure’ of music by women
French violinist and social media influencer Esther Abrami releases her new album, Women, featuring music by female composers in a bid to redress historic biases.
Florida authorities declare a ‘mass casualty’ in deadly boat crash near Clearwater
One person has died and several were injured Sunday when a boat crashed into a ferry off the Memorial Causeway Bridge and then fled the scene, authorities said.
North Korea confirms it sent troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine
The North Korean announcement came two days after Russia said its troops have fully reclaimed the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials denied the claim.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2025 includes OutKast, Soundgarden and Cyndi Lauper
The seven acts voted into the Rock Hall this year include Southern rap and Midwest garage rock duos, pillars of the grunge and English blues rock eras and the '80s most unusual pop star.
Homes destroyed and 1,500 detained in Kashmir as India cracks down following attacks
Indian authorities have detained at least 1,500 people in India-administered Kashmir after a militant attack killed 26 people this past week, a top police officer told NPR.
‘Prophetic’ letter written by Titanic survivor sells for nearly $400,000 at auction
The letter, written by first-class passenger Archibald Gracie, sold for five times its expected price at auction. It was written aboard the ship five days before it sank.
The DEA says 114 immigrants in the U.S. illegally were arrested at a Colorado nightclub
The Drug Enforcement Administration said the arrests occurred as part of a raid at an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs.
Ukrainian families divided by Russian occupation hang on and hope to be reunited
Ukrainians displaced by Russian occupation are helping the war effort — and longing for the homes they fled and the loved ones they left behind.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols expects a ‘mood of reflection’ at his first conclave
As he prepares to enter the seclusion of a conclave to elect a new pope, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, reflects on diversity and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
A vanished kingdom comes alive in the songs of griots and a new archaeological dig
The legendary west African kingdom of Kaabu has long been memorialized in the songs and stories of griots. That's inspired archaeologists to excavate the kingdom's capital.
From dogs to rabbits, NPR readers share how adopting shelter pets impacted them
National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is on April 30. To bring awareness to the day, the Up First newsletter is sharing some stories from readers about how their pet has impacted their lives.
Sunday Puzzle: Same beginnings
NPR's Lauren Frayer plays the puzzle with MPR listener, Dave Scheid of Rochester, Minn., and Weekend Edition Puzzlemaster Will Shortz.
Federal work shaped a Black middle class. Now it’s destabilized by Trump’s job cuts
For generations of Black workers, federal government jobs have provided a path into the middle class. The Trump administration's workforce cuts are now throwing that sense of stability up in the air.
