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A photo provided by the FBI on Oct. 25, 2023 shows former CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond.

A photo provided by the FBI on Oct. 25, 2023 shows former CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond, who plead guilty that year to drugging, filming and sexually assaulting dozens of women across multiple countries over a 14-year period. AP/FBI hide caption

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AP/FBI

National

An ex-CIA officer gets 30 years for drugging, filming and assaulting dozens of women

Brian Raymond admitting to drugging, filming and assaulting the women, most of whom didn't know until investigators showed them footage. Several shared their experiences in court as he looked on.
An ambulance believed to be carrying wounded people, after multiple explosions were heard during the funeral of four Hezbollah fighters who were killed Tuesday after their handheld pagers exploded, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday.

An ambulance believed to be carrying wounded people, after multiple explosions were heard during the funeral of four Hezbollah fighters who were killed Tuesday after their handheld pagers exploded, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday. Bilal Hussein/AP hide caption

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Bilal Hussein/AP

Middle East crisis — explained

Another wave of blasts hits Lebanon, as Hezbollah reels from pager explosions

Following Tuesday's stunning attack via pagers, Lebanon was hit by another deadly wave of exploding communications devices on Wednesday.
The sun rises over the city of Springfield, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

The sun rises over the city of Springfield, Ohio, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) Jessie Wardarski/AP/AP hide caption

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Jessie Wardarski/AP/AP

National

Bomb threats followed Trump's false claims about Springfield. Some Haitians may leave

A Haitian community leader in Springfield, Ohio tells Morning Edition that some newcomers are pondering leaving after a string of bomb threats made to the city after former President Trump elevated debunked claims about new migrants during presidential debate with VP Harris.

Haitians consider leaving Springfield, Ohio, after they're accused of eating pets

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WATCH

Café Tacvba: Tiny Desk Concert

We're celebrating Latin Music Month with all-new concerts, but throwing back to old favorites, too. In 2018, Mexican rock pioneers Café Tacvba cast a spell at the Tiny Desk.
The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Dec. 11, 2021. Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational.

The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Dec. 11, 2021. Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

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Jenny Kane/AP

National

Forget tedious paper applications, Americans can now renew passports online

The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport had expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien speaks during a rally with workers and union members as part of an

Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien speaks during a rally with workers and union members as part of an "Amazon Teamsters Day of Solidarity" on August 29, 2024 in Long Beach, California. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Politics

In break with tradition, the Teamsters will not endorse a presidential candidate

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a union of 1.3 million workers, will not endorse Vice President Harris or former President Donald Trump for president, after decades of backing Democrats.

TEAMSTERS DON'T ENDORSE

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School busses sit at the Alltown Bus Service yard on the first day of classes for Chicago's public schools on August 21, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Public Schools has been forced to find alternative ways to get its students to schools as the district faces a severe shortage of school bus drivers. School districts around the country are facing similar shortages.

School busses sit at the Alltown Bus Service yard on the first day of classes for Chicago's public schools on August 21, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Public Schools has been forced to find alternative ways to get its students to schools as the district faces a severe shortage of school bus drivers. School districts around the country are facing similar shortages. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Education

Exclusive: Watchdog finds Black girls face more frequent, severe discipline in school

The Government Accountability Office found that Black girls received nearly half of the most severe punishments, like expulsion, even though they represent only 15% of girls in public schools.
As his stem cells are collected, Deshawn “DJ” Chow talks about his upcoming sickle cell gene therapy treatment with pediatric hematologist-oncologist Leo Wang at City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center on May 22, 2024.

As his stem cells are collected, Deshawn “DJ” Chow talks about his upcoming sickle cell gene therapy treatment with pediatric hematologist-oncologist Leo Wang at City of Hope Children’s Cancer Center on May 22, 2024. City of Hope hide caption

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City of Hope

Shots - Health News

Sickle cell gene therapies roll out slowly

It’s been almost a year since the Food and Drug Administration approved the first genetic treatments for sickle cell disease. So far, only a few patients have received the long-awaited treatments.

Sickle cell gene therapies rolling out

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Connie Chung, shown here in 2023, says watching a bad interview is painful:

Connie Chung, shown here in 2023, says watching a bad interview is painful: "I want to throw my shoe at [the television] if somebody isn't asking the question ... that I would ask." Hachette Book Group hide caption

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Hachette Book Group

Author Interviews

Connie Chung says booze and bawdy jokes helped her break into journalism's boys club

In a new memoir, Chung reflects on the decades she spent covering the news, her marriage to Maury Povich and the prominent figures who acted inappropriately with her — including President Carter.

Connie Chung says booze and bawdy jokes helped her break into journalism's boys club

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Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez waves to supporters during a political event at a square in the Hatillo municipality of Caracas, Venezuela, June 19, 2024.

Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez waves to supporters during a political event at a square in the Hatillo municipality of Caracas, Venezuela, June 19, 2024. Ariana Cubillos/AP hide caption

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Ariana Cubillos/AP

The Americas

Venezuela's opposition leader says he was forced to sign letter that admits defeat

Venezuela's former opposition candidate, Edmundo González, on Wednesday said he was coerced into signing a letter effectively recognizing his defeat in July's presidential election.
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard as people queue up to vote during the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election, in Kishtwar, India, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard as people queue up to vote during the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly election, in Kishtwar, India, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. Channi Anand/AP hide caption

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Channi Anand/AP

World

In Kashmir, voting begins in first local elections since India revoked autonomy

In Indian-controlled Kashmir, residents are voting in elections that some hope will lead to restoration of the territory's statehood, which ended when it became a federally governed territory in 2019.
Kevin Donalson, a drug addict, on a street corner in Burlington VT on Sept. 16.

Kevin Donalson, a drug addict, on a street corner in Burlington VT on Sept. 16. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption

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Carol Guzy for NPR

Health

NPR Exclusive: U.S. overdose deaths plummet, saving thousands of lives

After decades of devastating increases driven by fentanyl and other toxic street drugs, overdose deaths are dropping sharply in much of the U.S. The trend could mean roughly 20,000 fewer deaths in 2024.

9-18 U.S. OVERDOSE DEATHS DROPPING ME

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Inductee JD Souther and Alison Krauss attend the Songwriters Hall of Fame 44th annual induction and awards gala on June 13, 2013, in New York.

Inductee JD Souther and Alison Krauss attend the Songwriters Hall of Fame 44th annual induction and awards gala on June 13, 2013, in New York. Souther, who collaborated on some of the Eagles' biggest hits, such as “Best of My Love," “James Dean,” "New Kid in Town," and “Heartache Tonight,” died Tuesday. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP hide caption

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Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Obituaries

JD Souther, who collaborated on 'Heartache Tonight' and other Eagles hits, dies at 78

Souther was a prolific songwriter and musician who helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt.
Moo Deng, a 2-month-old female pygmy hippo who has recently become a viral internet sensation, stands next to her mother Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, on Sunday.

Moo Deng, a 2-month-old female pygmy hippo who has recently become a viral internet sensation, stands next to her mother Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, on Sunday. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

Animals

Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo so popular you can visit her for only 5 minutes

A baby pygmy hippopotamus in a Thailand zoo has become a worldwide internet sensation, leading to crowds at the zoo. Zoo officials say the increased attention has led to some bad visitor behavior.
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