‘A Woman Of No Importance’ Finally Gets Her Due
Virginia Hall was an American spy who worked for Britain and the U.S. and played a key role in undermining the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. Her story was rarely told — until now.
After Columbine, An Unlikely Friendship Bound By The Trauma Of Mass Shootings
Over the past 20 years, mass shootings have resulted in communities of survivors. Heather Martin, who was a senior at Columbine High School in 1999, runs a nonprofit that connects them.
High-Deductible Health Policies Linked To Delayed Diagnosis And Treatment
Her employer offered only a high-deductible health plan; that meant she’d have to pay up to $6,000 out of pocket each year. Advocates for patients say this sort of underinsurance is snatching lives.
North Korea Announces Testing Of New ‘Tactical Guided Weapon’
The country’s official newspaper reported leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test. North Korea also has demanded Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not participate in nuclear talks.
Appeal To Census Lawsuit Ruling Adds Uncertainty To Citizenship Question’s Fate
The Census Bureau is counting on the Supreme Court to resolve the legal battle by June so that 2020 census forms can be printed. But an appeal in a Maryland lawsuit could complicate that timeline.
U.S. Aid Agency Is Preparing To Lay Off Most Local Staff For Palestinian Projects
Under Trump administration orders, the U.S. Agency for International Development is readying to lay off most staff on Palestinian projects, according to U.S. government communications reviewed by NPR.
Gene Therapy Advances To Better Treat ‘Bubble Boy’ Disease
The latest advance is not only encouraging news for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency. It’s a test case for all those scientists working to develop better gene therapy techniques.
The Writers Guild Of America Is Suing Hollywood’s Biggest Talent Agencies
At issue is “packaging fees” – deals that allow agents to be paid by studios, rather than receiving a standard 10 percent of writers’ income. The writers say such deals create conflicts of interest.
Despite Pressure From Trump, House Democrats See No Urgency To Pass A Border Bill
President Trump has called on Congress to return early from its recess to pass a bill addressing the surge in illegal border crossings. But Democrats say Trump’s demands are a nonstarter.
North Of London, Brexit Supporters Gather To ‘Feel Proud And Unashamed’
The Leavers of Lincolnshire group aims to provide a safe space “so you could come together and be proud to be a Brexiteer,” says a member. “To not be called an idiot, to not be called a racist.”
Madonna’s New Single, ‘Medellin,’ Is A Self-Aware Nostalgia Trip
The track, recorded with Colombian singer Maluma, channels “Despacito,” with a nod toward Madonna’s 1986 song “La Isla Bonita.”
Indonesia’s President Poised To Secure Another Term
The Muslim-majority country’s rising religious conservatism played a major role in this race. President Joko Widodo named a cleric with some hard-line views as his running mate.
Why Elephants Pose A Threat To Rohingya Refugees
Several of the refugee camps in Bangladesh have had to set up what the U.N. calls a “tusk force” to respond when elephants enter.
Scientists Restore Some Function In The Brains Of Dead Pigs
The cells regained a startling amount of function, but the brains didn’t have activity linked with consciousness. Ethicists see challenges to assumptions about the irreversible nature of brain death.
Gefilte Fish From Canned Tuna: Heresy Or … Kinda Tasty?
The traditional Passover dish can be made from fresh fish or frozen fillets. It’s sold at gourmet shops and in jars at the supermarket. Turns out there’s one more twist …. tuna fish gefilte fish!
Nearly 60 Doctors, Other Medical Workers Charged In Federal Opioid Sting
The Department of Justice said defendants allegedly pushed more than 32 million unneeded pills, contributing to a drug crisis and potentially defrauding the health care system.
Climate Change Was The Engine That Powered Hurricane Maria’s Devastating Rains
Maria was the rainiest storm known to have hit Puerto Rico. Scientists say a storm of such severity is nearly five times more likely to occur today, with warmer air and ocean water, than in the ’50s.
‘The Problem Of Democracy’ Looks At Personality’s Role In U.S. Leadership
A new book focuses on how the Adams father-son duo spent years abroad making a case for our young country — yet both saw themselves rejected in favor of more charismatic and populist rivals.
Beyoncé Surprise-Drops Live Coachella Album; Netflix Doc Now Streaming
The recording of her historic 2018 performance, titled Homecoming: Live Album, includes new songs and arrives just as a documentary about the concert begins streaming on Netflix.
FBI Says Armed Woman In Denver Area Obsessed With Columbine Is Dead
The FBI and local law enforcement had warned of an “armed and dangerous” 18-year-old white woman who has an “infatuation” with the Columbine shooting.
Archdiocese Of Los Angeles Agrees To $8 Million Settlement In Sex Abuse Case
The settlement goes to a teenager who was sexually abused and then kidnapped by a teacher at her Catholic high school. The archdiocese apologized for the “serious harm” done to the victim.
After Allegations Of Toxic Culture, Southern Poverty Law Center Tries To Move Forward
“I’m acknowledging the fact that we didn’t pay attention to the internal culture,” says interim President Karen Baynes-Dunning.
After Boeing Crashes, More People Want Help Taming Fear Of Flying
If you’re scared of flying, the news of two recent airline crashes might have you in jitters. Instructors who help people overcome that fear say enrollments have doubled since the incidents.
Amid New York Measles Outbreaks, 1 County Orders Exclusions From Public Spaces
It’s the latest measure officials in the region have taken to combat the disease. Between Rockland County and New York City, more than 500 cases have been confirmed since the start of the year.
State’s Attorney Closely Followed Smollett Case After Recusal, Text Messages Show
In the messages, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx expresses concern with heavy-handed charging of Empire star Jussie Smollett, compared to other defendants accused of more serious crimes.
Donation Pledges Roll In For Notre Dame’s Reconstruction
France’s wealthiest families and businesses pledged hundreds of millions of euros to restore one of their nation’s cultural touchstones.
New York Museum Cancels Gala To Honor Far-Right Brazilian Leader
Jair Bolsonaro is outspoken about his desire to roll back environmental protections. Mayor Bill de Blasio applauded the American Museum of Natural History’s move “on behalf of our city.”
Trump’s Trade War Forces Volvo To Shift Gears In South Carolina
The Chinese-owned Swedish automaker was originally planning to ship U.S.-made luxury sedans out of the Port of Charleston and send them to China. Trump’s trade war threw a wrench in those plans.
A Rare Sight At Brigham Young University As Students Protest The Honor Code Office
Students allege that the university is mistreating victims of sexual assault and harassment, especially women and LGBTQ students.
David Brion Davis, Who Helped Remake The Study Of Slavery, Dies At 92
The historian’s trilogy, The Problem of Slavery, won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, among others. More than that, though, a colleague says Davis’ work “shook up the field of history.”
Paris Holds Vigil To Mourn Notre Dame Fire Damage, Macron Vows Swift Reconstruction
The French president set a goal of completing the work in five years. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised toward the effort one day after a fire at the cathedral.
Dog Saved By Workers On Oil Rig, 135 Miles Off Thai Coast
It’s not clear how the animal ended up stranded in the middle of the Gulf of Thailand. But the pup, now named Boonrod, is gaining strength and looks happy and well-fed.
Georgia Engel, Sweet-Voiced Star Of ‘Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ Dies At 70
Engel played Georgette, the wide-eyed girlfriend of anchorman Ted Baxter. She had a long career on television, including roles on Everybody Loves Raymond, Coach and Hot In Cleveland.
Paradise, Calif., Water Is Contaminated But Residents Are Moving Back Anyway
Despite public health warnings about benzene contamination in the town’s water supply, some Paradise residents say they have no choice but to return.
How Well Do Workplace Wellness Programs Work?
These job-based programs can motivate employees to make some changes in behavior, research finds, but they don’t seem to move the dial on workers’ health status or employer spending on health care.
First U.S. Patients Treated With CRISPR As Human Gene-Editing Trials Get Underway
This could be a crucial year for the powerful gene-editing technique CRISPR as researchers start testing it in patients to treat diseases such as cancer, blindness and sickle cell disease.