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Trump cancels meeting with Democrats as prospects for shutdown increase

President Trump called off a planned Thursday meeting with top Hill Democrats to discuss a possible deal to avoid a shutdown. He called Democrats' demands "unserious." Democrats say he chickened out.

After fireworks caused her dog to panic, a stranger offered them a ride home

Lara Friedman was walking her large rottweiler on July 4 when fireworks went off. Her dog went into panic mode. Then a stranger offered to help, ensuring both got home safely.

Former VP Harris endorses Mamdani for NYC Mayor as some Democrats stay silent

Zohran Mamdani is leading in the polls in the NYC Mayor's race. Kamala Harris says he's earned Democratic backing, but some party leaders have been slow to endorse the Democratic-Socialist candidate.

New books this week: Tales from Ian McEwan and Patricia Lockwood, and new translations

The truth doesn't come easy in the latest works of these two household names. Meanwhile, anglophiles now have access to newly translated works by France's Annie Ernaux and Japanese ex-pat Yoko Tawada.

Devices seized near U.N. meeting could have shut down cellphone networks

The Secret Service said it found over 300 SIM servers, 100,000 SIM cards and other illicit materials in multiple sites surrounding New York City ahead of the U.N. General Assembly.

Americans are crazy for shrimp. Much of it came from India — until now

India's shrimp exports to the U.S. were once a success story. Now the industry faces ruin amid President Trump's 50% tariff on imports from the country.

Trump administration fires more immigration judges

Nearly 20 immigration judges received emails this month informing them that they are being let go, NPR has learned, the largest single month of firings since the process began in February.

Son of woman murdered by man now on death row asks Alabama to stop his execution

Will Berry was 11 when his mother was murdered. Geoffrey West was 21 when he pulled the trigger. Berry and West exchanged letters ahead of West’s scheduled execution by nitrogen gas Thursday in Alabama. West expressed his remorse, and Berry offered forgiveness.

ICC charges former Philippine President Duterte crimes against humanity

Duterte was arrested in March by Philippine authorities on a warrant issued by the ICC. He is now being held at an ICC facility in the Netherlands.

Did Amazon trick people into paying for Prime? Federal case goes to trial

The U.S. government says Amazon manipulated people into signing up for Prime memberships that were purposefully hard to cancel. The company says its designs and disclosures follow industry standards.

How to reintegrate over a million veterans? Groups in Ukraine are working on it

Many Ukrainian war veterans have physical and mental trauma, and struggle to return to civilian life. Here is a look at some groups trying to help ease them back into the community.

5 takeaways from Kamala Harris’ new book about her sprint for the presidency

Former Vice President Kamala Harris writes about her brief run for the presidency last year and her relationship with former President Joe Biden in her new book, out on Tuesday.

Georgia senators demand answers on more than a dozen deaths in immigration detention

Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are asking Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for answers after more than a dozen people died in immigration detention, as the department rushes to expand.

Judge orders Trump administration to restore $500 million in grant funding to UCLA

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore $500 million in federal grant funding that it froze at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Bruce Pearl, winningest men’s basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday less than six months after finishing the Tigers' best season in program history with another trip to the Final Four. Pearl's 38-year-old son Steven Pearl, who has been on his father's coaching staff for all 11 seasons at Auburn, will take over as coach.

Jimmy Kimmel will be back on air on Tuesday, Disney says

The late night comic was suspended last week under pressure from the Trump administration after comments about Charlie Kirk's killing.

Unease grows at the Justice Department as Trump’s threats get even more blunt

President Trump is directing the Justice Department to prosecute his perceived political enemies, upending the career ranks and raising questions about selective prosecution.

Supreme Court allows Trump to fire — for now — remaining Democrat on FTC

At issue is whether the president has the authority to dismiss the heads of those agencies that are protected by Congress.

Climate change is delaying peak fall foliage. Here’s what to expect this year

Leaves typically start to peak in northern states by early October, but projecting peak foliage isn't an exact science. Here are some things you can do to get the most out of fall's colors.

400 entertainers co-sign ACLU letter supporting Jimmy Kimmel

Celebrities including Pedro Pascal and Selena Gomez wrote: "Our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives and entertainers."

Man charged with attempted assassination of Trump rests own case

Ryan Routh, who is accused in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on his golf course last year, called three witnesses and rested his defense after only a few hours of testimony on Monday.

Elizabeth Gilbert opens up about sex, drugs and codependency in a new memoir

The Eat, Pray, Love author discusses her love affair with her best friend, which she says was life-changing but also marked by addiction and heartbreak. Gilbert's memoir is All the Way to the River.

‘The Lowdown’ isn’t just a good show. It’s a good hang

Ethan Hawke plays a bookstore owner who moonlights as a muckraking reporter in Tulsa, Okla. Though The Lowdown occasionally meanders or misfires, every episode of the FX series is bracingly alive.

USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food

The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

The Trump administration is expected to link autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy

President Trump and HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are expected to tie autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy, and present a cancer drug as a possible treatment. There is little credible scientific evidence for either claim.

Wednesday’s ‘Bleeds’ might be the rock album of the year

The sixth album by the North Carolina band, made over the course of a breakup between two of its members, is a masterpiece about life spent clinging to the edge of the abyss. 

Deal for TikTok creates U.S. joint venture, and government won’t have a stake

The U.S. will get a copy of TikTok's prized content recommendation algorithm, and that the tech company Oracle will provide security.

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un ready to talk if U.S. drops denuclearization demand

Kim told North Korea's legislature he's ready to resume talks, adding he had "good memories" of President Trump, despite ongoing tension over Washington's denuclearization stance.

What to know as U.N. General Assembly opens, marking 80 years, tackling deep crises

This year the United Nations is marking its 80th anniversary, but diplomats don't have much to celebrate.

This small Virginia island could be underwater before the next century

Tangier Island in Virginia — one of the last inhabited islands in the Chesapeake Bay — is under threat from rising sea levels and climate change.

Rheumatoid arthritis kept her captive. This nerve stimulator set her free.

A new surgically implanted device the size of a lima bean can help control rheumatoid arthritis that isn't responding to drugs.

Wary of changes under Trump, ‘citizen historians’ are documenting the Smithsonian

Historians and citizens who say they are concerned about the Trump administration's pressure on the Smithsonian are working to document exhibits, as they exist today, throughout the museum network.