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Screenshots from three TikTok videos about the Ultimate World Cruise: a volcano erupting in Iceland, a man wearing a Kamala Harris t-shirt and an announcement about another cruise.

Screenshots from TikToks made by passengers on the Ultimate World Cruise capture the highs and lows of the nine-month journey, which ended last week. @drjennytravels/@anthonyantoine1021/@brooklyntravelstheworld hide caption

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@drjennytravels/@anthonyantoine1021/@brooklyntravelstheworld

Pop Culture

A viral 9-month world cruise saw plenty of drama, but not the kind you'd expect

The "Ultimate World Cruise" consumed social media, with many comparing it to a reality show. But what was it really like? Passengers spoke with NPR, nine months and 60-plus countries later.
People watch the presidential debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump during a debate watch party at Penn Social on Sept. 10 in Washington, D.C.

People watch the presidential debate between Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump during a debate watch party at Penn Social on Sept. 10 in Washington, D.C. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images

2024 Election

10 undecided voters explain why they haven’t picked a side in this election

With the presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as close as it is, the small percentage of undecided voters could have a big impact on the outcome.
The sun rises over the city of Springfield, Ohio, on Monday.

The sun rises over the city of Springfield, Ohio, on Monday. Jessie Wardarski/AP hide caption

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Jessie Wardarski/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 the latest presidential debate.

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

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally. Trump, who owns more than half of Truth Social's parent company, is now facing a decision over whether to start selling off his $2 billion stake. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally. Trump, who owns more than half of Truth Social's parent company, is now facing a decision over whether to start selling off his $2 billion stake. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

Business

Truth Social reaches a tricky milestone. Will Donald Trump cash out his stake?

Trump can now start selling his majority stake in the Truth Social parent company, as a lockup on insider sales expires. But that could tank the price of the stock.

Trump's Truth Social reaches a business milestone. Will he cash out his stake?

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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.
Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister, Isabelle Mondou, left, and Andrea Clark-Grignon, Head of Public Affairs, unveil a photographic portrait known as 'The Roaring Lion', of Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, stolen in Canada in 2022.

Canadian Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister, Isabelle Mondou, left, and Andrea Clark-Grignon, Head of Public Affairs, unveil a photographic portrait known as 'The Roaring Lion', of Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill, stolen in Canada in 2022. Alessandra Tarantino/AP hide caption

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Alessandra Tarantino/AP

World

An iconic Churchill photo stolen in Canada and found in Italy is ready to return

Canadian and Italian dignitaries marked the successful recovery of a portrait of Winston Churchill known as "The Roaring Lion," stolen in Canada and recovered in Italy after a two-year search.
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.
A Delta Air Lines plane is seen at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 11, 2023. Earlier this week, a cabin pressurization issue aboard a Delta flight caused a number of passengers to bleed from the nose and ears.

A Delta Air Lines plane is seen at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 11, 2023. Earlier this week, a cabin pressurization issue aboard a Delta flight caused a number of passengers to bleed from the nose and ears. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

News

FAA investigating cabin pressure problem that injured passengers aboard Boeing plane

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident aboard a Delta flight in which a cabin pressurization issue with the Boeing 737 caused some passengers to bleed from the nose and ears.
A bar of soap is working very hard to wash someone's arm.
Malaka Gharib/NPR

Life Kit

COMIC: Can I just wash the stinky bits? And other honest questions about bathing

Washing your body seems like a no-brainer. But once you get into the details, things get complicated. Dermatologists offer surprising advice on how often to shower, when to toss your loofah and more.

The dirt on bathing

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The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a formal request this summer for more research on the impact of paying renters directly.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a formal request this summer for more research on the impact of paying renters directly. Elise Amendola/AP hide caption

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Elise Amendola/AP

National

In a major shift, the U.S. government explores giving renters cash, not vouchers

Federal housing vouchers are the largest rental aid program, but many landlords reject them. Experiments will test whether cash helps more people sign a lease.

HUD Cash vs. Vouchers

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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 many adult passport holders.
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.
Lower mortgage rates are expected to spur more buyers to enter the housing market. Seen here is a home for sale last month in Los Angeles.

Lower mortgage rates are expected to spur more buyers to enter the housing market. Seen here is a home for sale last month in Los Angeles. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Your Money

Here are 4 ways the Federal Reserve's big rate cut could change the housing market

Here's a look at what the Federal Reserve's rate cut will mean for those looking to buy — or sell — a home.

How the Fed's rate cut will affect the housing market

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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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Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday. At the event, he continued to criticize migrants from Haiti, saying those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other authorized immigration status are

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, speaks at a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday. At the event, he continued to criticize migrants from Haiti, saying those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other authorized immigration status are "illegal aliens" who should be deported. Karl B DeBlaker/AP hide caption

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Karl B DeBlaker/AP

2024 Election

Vance says Haitian migrants with protected status are 'illegal aliens' to be deported

The Republican vice presidential nominee continues to rail against Haitian migrants living in Ohio, though many have Temporary Protected Status, as the GOP escalates its hardline immigration stance.
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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George Benson, dressed in a dark orange blazer jacket, sits holding his guitar in front of a music staned

George Benson "Dreams Do Come True" album photo session 2024 Matt Furman © Rhino-WMG hide caption

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Matt Furman © Rhino-WMG

Jazz Night In America

George Benson on success, critics and staying true to himself

Vocalist, guitarist, and jazz icon George Benson joins Christian McBride for a conversation about his early years on the jazz scene, fame and his new “lost” album.

George Benson on success, critics and staying true to himself

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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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