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Cardinal Vincent Nichols after officiating the solemn requiem at The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral on April 21, 2025 in London, England.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols after officiating the solemn requiem at The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral on April 21, 2025 in London, England. Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images hide caption

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Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Remembering Pope Francis

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.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols expects a ‘mood of reflection’ at his first conclave

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Shirley Hopkins, a retired National Institutes of Health employee

Shirley Hopkins helped recruit countless Black students in Washington, D.C., for the National Institutes of Health's internship and youth employment programs before retiring to Clinton, Md. Her career in the federal government reflects a generation of Black workers who found stability, purpose and opportunity in public service. Kyna Uwaeme for NPR hide caption

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Kyna Uwaeme for NPR

Politics

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.
Alexis Herman wears a red jacket over a black shirt and has a microphone pinned to her lapel as she speaks on a stage in Las Vegas in 2010.

Alexis Herman was tapped by former President Bill Clinton to serve as secretary of labor. Upon her confirmation in 1997, she became the first Black secretary of labor in American history. She is shown here in Las Vegas in 2010. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Politics

Alexis Herman, the first Black secretary of labor in U.S. history, dies at age 77

Civil rights groups, labor organizations and politicians praised Alexis Herman as a "trailblazer" who fought for the rights of women, Black people and American workers over the course of decades.
Thirteen stickers against a wood background that read, "Elon is a dogebag," "I bought this before Elon went crazy," "Elon ate my cat," "Anti Elon Tesla club," "Elon" in a circle with a line through it, "Recharge democracy," Elon sucks," "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy," "Shut up Elon," "Elon killed my resale value" and "Elon cheats at video games."

Anti-Elon Musk stickers sold by Mad Puffer Stickers Mad Puffer Stickers hide caption

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Mad Puffer Stickers

National

Meet the man who made six figures selling anti-Elon Musk Tesla stickers

Matthew Hiller started making anti-Elon Musk stickers for Teslas after Musk's X takeover. He's made six figures selling them.

Some Tesla owners slapping anti-Elon Musk stickers on their vehicles

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Youssef Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the Orient, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem and head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday in Vatican City.

Youssef Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the Orient, of Alexandria and of Jerusalem and head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, blesses the coffin during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Saturday in Vatican City. Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Europe hide caption

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Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Europe

Remembering Pope Francis

Crowds of mourners and dignitaries pay respects to Pope Francis at funeral service

It was a day of remembrance, mourning and celebration as thousands gathered in Rome to pay their respects and say farewell to Pope Francis.
In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), firefighters work as black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on Saturday.

In this photo provided by Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), firefighters work as black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern city of Bandar Abbas, Iran on Saturday. Mohammad Rasoul Moradi/IRNA via AP hide caption

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Mohammad Rasoul Moradi/IRNA via AP

Middle East

Iran port explosion death toll up to at least 40, as president visits the injured

A massive explosion and fire rocked a port in southern Iran possibly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant.
Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during a ceremony to retire his jersey before the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19 in Boulder, Colo.

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders looks on during a ceremony to retire his jersey before the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field on April 19 in Boulder, Colo. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT hide caption

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Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for ONIT

Sports

Finally! Shedeur Sanders gets picked by the Cleveland Browns in the NFL draft 5th round

He had to wait until the fifth round, but Shedeur Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — his coach at the University of Colorado — has finally been drafted by the NFL.
Mokhtar Alkhanshali, in a promotional picture from his company, Port of Mokha

Mokhtar Alkhanshali, in a promotional picture from his company, Port of Mokha Port of Mokha hide caption

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Port of Mokha

Culture

Built on a rich coffee history, Yemeni cafes find U.S. success and new challenges, too

Yemen is an ancient birthplace of the coffee trade, and immigrants fleeing its civil war have brought their culture here in the form of cafes. Hundreds of Yemeni coffee shops have opened in the U.S.

The Rise of Yemeni Coffeeshops

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BALTIMORE, MD -- 4/14/25 -- City Councilman James Torrence represents the 7th district which includes Sandtown-Winchester. Residents consider him a reliable advocate at City Hall. Ten years after the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore’s Sandtown-Winchester community is still healing. Neighborhood residents, pastors and other change makers are tirelessly working to provide services — parks, rec centers, food access, and the like — and lifting the quality of life. …by André Chung {fbase}

BALTIMORE, MD -- 4/14/25 -- City Councilman James Torrence represents the 7th district which includes Sandtown-Winchester. Residents consider him a reliable advocate at City Hall. Ten years after the death of Freddie Gray, Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester community is still healing. Neighborhood residents, pastors and other change makers are tirelessly working to provide services — parks, rec centers, food access, and the like — and lifting the quality of life. …by André Chung {fbase} André Chung for NPR hide caption

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André Chung for NPR

National

10 years after Freddie Gray's death, his neighborhood looks for hope

There's still a lot of need in Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, where Freddie Gray lived. People from the neighborhood work to meet it.

Sandtown neighborhood works to heal, and thrive 10 years after Freddie Gray

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WATCH

Laura Marling: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The warm, home setting makes room for Laura Marling's extraordinary voice to shine.
Students and educators attend a rally at Northwestern University one week before the Trump administration reversed course on the issue of student visas. The federal government has now said it will restore the records of international students deleted from a crucial database, which had raised questions about students' ability to stay in the U.S.

Students and educators attend a rally at Northwestern University one week before the Trump administration reversed course on the issue of student visas. The federal government has now said it will restore the records of international students deleted from a crucial database, which had raised questions about students' ability to stay in the U.S. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP

National

Government says — for now — it will restore international students' status

International students had filed dozens of lawsuits after the government removed them from a database crucial for maintaining their legal status.
A truck displays pictures of Luigi Mangione on April 25, 2025 in New York City, as he was set to appear for the arraignment on charges that he murdered the CEO of UnitedHealthcare last year.

A truck displays pictures of Luigi Mangione on April 25, 2025 in New York City, as he was set to appear for the arraignment on charges that he murdered the CEO of UnitedHealthcare last year. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Law

Luigi Mangione's case marks a shift in politics of the death penalty in the U.S.

Over the last half-century, the political leanings of the Supreme Court, Congress, and the presidency contributed to dramatically different approaches to the federal death penalty.

Trump administration's call for the death penalty for Luigi Mangione signals a larger shift

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It's the twinnies being twins!

It's the twinnies being twins! Screenshot via YouTube/7 News Australia hide caption

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Screenshot via YouTube/7 News Australia

Main Character of the Day

These Australian twins have gone viral after speaking in synch

Meet Bridgette and Paula Powers, identical twins who speak in synch and dedicate themselves to animal conservation.

These Australian twins have gone viral after speaking in synch

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Academy members now have to watch all the nominated films in a category if they want to cast a final-round vote. Above, Oscar winners pose with their awards in 2017.

Academy members now have to watch all the nominated films in a category if they want to cast a final-round vote. Above, Oscar winners pose with their awards in 2017. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

This new rule won't fix the Oscars — but it's a step in the right direction

The Academy has announced that Oscar voters will actually have to watch all the movies in a category before making their final-round picks. It's on the honor system, but hey, it's a start.
A colorful, whimsical illustration showing a writing desk covered with tools used to write letters, including an inkwell, a letter opener, a feathered pen, scissors, stationery, stamps, washi tape, and a seal.

There are so many ways to get in touch with friends and family. Why write letters? Among other things, "It's fun," says Rachel Syme, author of Syme's Letter Writer. Illustration © by Joana Avillez, Reprinted with permission from "Syme's Letter Writer," by Rachel Syme, published by Clarkson Potter Publishers hide caption

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Illustration © by Joana Avillez, Reprinted with permission from "Syme's Letter Writer," by Rachel Syme, published by Clarkson Potter Publishers

Life Kit

The delightfully analog art of letter-writing

Tired of texting? Send your loved ones some snail mail instead. Rachel Syme, author of "Syme's Letter Writer: A Guide to Modern Correspondence," shares whimsical ways to start a letter-writing habit.

The art and pleasure of writing a letter

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