News

The Israeli hostages taken during the October 7th attacks and held in Gaza are a major sticking point in cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. A spokesperson for Hamas tells NPR not all those hostages are being held by his organization, some are being held by families in Gaza.

And in Israel, what Gaza will look like after major combat operations end is the subject of fierce debate, with military and political leaders so far failing to agree.

For more coverage of all sides of this conflict, go to npr.org/mideastupdates

After a mild fire year in 2023, California's early fire season of 2024 has had a busy start. A persistent heatwave is making conditions more challenging for wildland firefighters.

NPR identified the company that provided Texas with execution drugs and uncovered that state and federal authorities alleged the pharmacy and some of its owners violated laws meant to protect patients

Disgraced financier Bernie Madoff scammed investors out of approximately $68 billion. Journalist Richard Behar spoke to Madoff in prison more than 50 times for his book, Madoff: The Final Word.

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., acquired the circa 1846 daguerreotype, which depicts Dolley Madison in her later years, at some point in her 70s.

President Biden delivers confident speech to NATO summit. Russia strikes children's hospital in Ukrainian capital. NPR probe finds the pharmacist who makes a sedative used in Texas executions.