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Explainer

Two men stand silhouetted against an illuminated blue and purple background. They are facing each other, but looking down at laptops they are holding in their hands.

Participants hold their laptops in front of an illuminated wall at the annual Chaos Computer Club (CCC) computer hackers' congress, called 29C3, on December 28, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany. In 2026, open-weight AI models possess advanced capabilities not far behind their proprietary counterparts. Getting rid of open-weight models' guardrails used to take time and deep expertise. But in recent months, that process has become dramatically more accessible and popular. Patrick Lux/Getty Images Europe hide caption

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Patrick Lux/Getty Images Europe

Technology

These AI models are free, private, and will never say 'no'

Open-weight AI models with advanced capabilities and no safeguards are becoming much more accessible. While they can be useful, AI safety experts have concerns.

Illustration shows a male wearing a white tank top looking up at a cellphone he holds in one hand.

Young boys are being enticed to engage in risky behaviors in pursuit of the perfect body and face, as part of an increasingly popular trend called looksmaxxing. Malte Mueller/Getty Images hide caption

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Malte Mueller/Getty Images

Culture

Taking a look at looksmaxxing — and what parents should know

The trend among boys and young men of optimizing their physical appearance includes dangerous practices. Experts offer advice on how to talk to their sons about body image and healthy behaviors. 

Taking a look at looksmaxxing — and what parents should know

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Members of the U.S. Secret Service counter assault team stand on the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25 in Washington.

Members of the U.S. Secret Service counter assault team stand on the stage after a shooting incident outside the ballroom during the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25 in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Politics

Here's a look inside security at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner

Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner raised questions about how close the alleged gunman got to the president and what the Secret Service security looked like.

Trump says 'consequential' presidents face more danger after WHCA dinner shooting

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An illustration of a young girl leaning on a windowsill, looking sad, as she watches other children happily get on a school bus.
Krittika Mittal for NPR

Education

How a SCOTUS decision on birthright citizenship could impact education access

All children, regardless of immigration status, have the right to a free K-12 public education. But without birthright citizenship, access to schools and colleges could get complicated.

The Supreme Court's decision on birthright citizenship will impact access to schools

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Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Kharg Island, on the shore of the Persian Gulf. The island is responsible for 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it a lifeline for its economy.

Iranian tanker docking at the platform of the oil facility in the Kharg Island, on the shore of the Persian Gulf. The island is responsible for 90% of Iran's oil exports, making it a lifeline for its economy. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East conflict

Why Trump's attacks and threats to Iran's Kharg Island are a big deal

The U.S. has struck Kharg Island a second time, hitting military targets again. If the U.S. were to hit the oil infrastructure there, that would be a serious blow to an already struggling global oil market.

A supporter poses with a picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during a rally in central Tehran on Monday.

A supporter poses with a picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, during a rally in central Tehran on Monday. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

Middle East conflict

What to know about Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader

The second son of the late supreme leader keeps a low profile. But he's long been viewed as wielding his power behind the scenes, from crushing dissent to influencing presidential elections.

Shown from left are Tom Malinowski, Analilia Mejia and Tahesha Way, some of the 11 Democrats on the ballot in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District special primary election on Thursday.

Shown from left are Tom Malinowski, Analilia Mejia and Tahesha Way, some of the 11 Democrats on the ballot in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District special primary election on Thursday.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Alex Wong/Getty Images; Chris Pedota/USA Today Network via Reuters hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images; Alex Wong/Getty Images; Chris Pedota/USA Today Network via Reuters

Elections

What a crowded congressional primary in N.J. says about the state of Democrats

WHYY

The contest is one of the first congressional primaries of the year where we will find out what issues are currently resonating with some Democratic voters. Here are some key things to know.

Illustration of hands reorganizing the food pyramid, with a federal building in the background.
Michelle Perez for NPR

Education

How the new dietary guidelines could impact school meals

Cutting back on ready-to-eat meals won't be easy, and whole milk may make a comeback. One thing that's certain: It'll be a while before the new guidelines trickle down to schools.

MILLS - New Dietary Guidelines and school meals

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A Venezuelan supporter of U.S. operations in Venezuela celebrates in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center.

A Venezuelan supporter of U.S. operations in Venezuela celebrates in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Saturday. John Lamparksi/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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John Lamparksi/AFP via Getty Images

Venezuela and U.S. relations

The NYC jail holding Maduro has a history of big names and dangerous conditions

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is being held in the troubled New York City jail that has housed high-profile defendants like Sean "Diddy" Combs, Ghislaine Maxwell and Honduras' former president.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado speaks during a press conference at the government's representative facilities in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado speaks during a press conference at the government's representative facilities in Oslo, Norway, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. Stian Lysberg Solum/Pool NTB Scanpix via AP hide caption

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Stian Lysberg Solum/Pool NTB Scanpix via AP

Venezuela and U.S. relations

Who is María Corina Machado, Venezuela's Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader?

The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Opposition leader María Corina Machado has been one of his biggest critics.

Supporters of Venezuela's current and former president, Nicolas Maduro and the late Hugo Chavez, hold posters with their images in Caracas on Saturday.

Supporters of Venezuela's current and former president, Nicolas Maduro and the late Hugo Chavez, hold posters with their images in Caracas on Saturday. Jesus Vargas/Getty Images hide caption

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Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

Venezuela and U.S. relations

Maduro arrives in New York. What to know about the U.S. operation in Venezuela

President Trump said the U.S. would "run" Venezuela, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. But many questions remain about what's next.

A billboard in New York City shows a Kalshi advertisement. It reads: Mamdani 92%, Cuomo 8%.

Advertisements by the company Kalshi predict a victory for Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral election before the votes are counted and polls close on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in New York. Olga Fedorova/AP hide caption

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Olga Fedorova/AP

Election betting on prediction markets apps is set to boom ahead of midterms

Online prediction markets, like Polymarket and Kalshi, were under intense scrutiny in the Biden administration. But Trump officials are embracing the controversial apps, raising new fears about election interference ahead of the midterms.

Election betting on prediction markets apps is set to boom ahead of midterms

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A collage of screenshots showing a mix of videos, some that are AI-generated and some that are real, including a moose eating popcorn, a car with a cloud of smoke, a cat looking at a snake crawling on a man in bed and a police officer pointing at ICE agents.

Can you identify which videos are real and which are AI-generated? Screenshots by NPR/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR hide caption

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Screenshots by NPR/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR

Technology

AI video slop is everywhere, take our quiz to try and spot it

There's no one way to be absolutely sure about a video's authenticity, but experts say there are some simple clues that can help.

Slop Spotting

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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani holds hands with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a campaign rally in October.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani holds hands with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a campaign rally in October. All three identify as democratic socialists. Angela Weiss/AFP hide caption

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Angela Weiss/AFP

Politics

NYC's next mayor is a democratic socialist. What does that mean?

Democratic socialism doesn't have a one-size-fits-all definition. But its proponents emphasize a stronger role for the government over the economy to benefit the public.

In response to U.S. Postal Service changes, California state officials are urging mail-in voters for a special election on congressional redistricting to return their ballots before Election Day to help ensure their ballots get postmarked by the deadline. Here, a post office in Montclair, Calif., is seen last year.

In response to U.S. Postal Service changes, California state officials are urging mail-in voters for a special election on congressional redistricting to return their ballots before Election Day to help ensure their ballots get postmarked by the deadline. Here, a post office in Montclair, Calif., is seen last year. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Elections

Your ballot or other mail may not get postmarked by USPS the day it's dropped off

Close to a deadline for mailing your ballot, tax return or legal document? To make sure it gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office.

Your ballot or other mail may not get postmarked by USPS the day it's dropped off

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A man exits a voting booth at a polling station in Lancaster, N.H., on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.

A man exits a voting booth at a polling station in Lancaster, N.H., on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Elections

The Federal Election Commission is down to 2 members. So its work is at a standstill

The Federal Election Commission, which regulates campaign finance, has lost another member. But the FEC has actually been without a quorum for months, leaving the agency unable to do much of its work.

Down 2 members, the Federal Election Commission's work is at a standstill

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Election workers open and inspect mail-in ballot envelopes for Arizona’s 2024 general election inside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix.

Election workers open and inspect mail-in ballot envelopes for Arizona's 2024 general election inside the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in Phoenix. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Elections

A GOP push to restrict voting by overseas U.S. citizens continues before 2026 midterms

Republican officials are pushing for more voting restrictions on U.S. citizens who were born abroad and have never lived in the country, after unsuccessfully challenging their ballots in 2024.

GOP push to restrict voting by overseas U.S. citizens continues before 2026 midterms

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Close-up of a New World screwworm larva.

New World screwworm larva, like the one pictured, will hatch and feed on the flesh of living animals, typically cattle. Cases in humans are rare but can be fatal. AP/USDA Agricultural Research Service hide caption

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AP/USDA Agricultural Research Service

Health

The U.S. confirms its first human case of New World screwworm. What is it?

U.S. officials confirmed a case of the flesh-eating parasite in a person who traveled from El Salvador. Screwworm typically affects cattle in South America but has spread north in recent years.

Screwworm invasion

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