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Chapter 1: How does science influence our daily lives?
Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force showing up in your everyday life. Powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from NPR.
Chapter 2: What is the latest news on the Ukraine ceasefire?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The White House says Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin of Russia have agreed to work toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, beginning with an energy and infrastructure truce. According to a readout of their phone call today, negotiations leading to Russia-Ukraine peace talks will begin immediately in the Middle East.
The leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts. The White House says Trump and Putin also shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel.
Chapter 3: What are the developments in the Gaza conflict?
The Israeli military says the ceasefire has officially ended in Gaza, with a new Israeli offensive that has killed hundreds of people, according to Gaza health officials. A senior Hamas official says international mediators have not presented it with a new ceasefire proposal since Israel's newest offensive began. NPR's Daniel Estrin has the latest from Tel Aviv.
Israel's offensive is dubbed Operation Strength and Sword. An internal Israeli government memo obtained by NPR says, Israel is returning to intensified fighting in Gaza. Israel says its offensive is to press Hamas to accept a proposal by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff for the release of more Israeli hostages. Hamas offered a counterproposal last week, which the U.S. and Israel rejected.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim, based in Qatar, told NPR that mediators have not presented Hamas with a new framework for a ceasefire. Naim says the U.S. must, quote, intervene immediately to stop this aggression, and for Israel to adhere to a January agreement to enter talks for a permanent end of the war. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Chapter 4: Why did Chief Justice John Roberts rebuke President Trump?
President Trump's encountering a rare public rebuke from the Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts. Trump had called for the impeachment of a judge who ordered a temporary halt to migrant deportation flights. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports Trump's statement on social media spurred a pointed response from from the head of the federal judiciary.
Chief Justice Roberts issued a statement emphasizing that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreements with judicial decisions. Carl Tobias is a law professor at the University of Richmond.
Almost 250 years of history, a grand total of 15 judges have been the subject of impeachment in that arises from the House, and only eight of them have been convicted.
Tobias says the Chief Justice's statement underscores the longstanding principle that judicial decisions should be subject to appellate review rather than political retribution. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.
At last check on Wall Street, the Nasdaq was down 314 points or 1.7 percent, S&P also off more than 1 percent, and the Dow is down roughly three-quarters of a percent. It's NPR News. Harvard University is offering free tuition to more undergraduate students who may not otherwise be able to afford the Ivy League school.
NPR's Kristen Wright reports the university says it's furthering its commitment to bring together students from many different backgrounds.
Harvard announced students whose families earn $200,000 or less will get free tuition starting this fall. Students with family incomes of $100,000 or below will get a full free ride, including housing and health insurance.
This comes as some colleges and universities try to figure out how to balance campus diversity goals and the Supreme Court's 2023 decision banning race-conscious admissions programs at colleges and universities. Harvard was at the center of the pivotal case. After the ruling, Black and Hispanic student enrollment fell at Harvard and other schools.
Harvard costs about $82,000 a year, including room and board. That's more than the median household income in the U.S. Kristen Wright, NPR News.
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