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Today's Hot Story

NPR has identified three officials in the Trump administration who are closely linked to anti-Semitic extremists. This includes an individual labeled by federal prosecutors as "Nazi sympathizers" and famous for the Holocaust. The revelation comes as the Trump administration uses anti-Semitism struggles as justification for expelling pro-Palestine student protesters and implementing funding cuts to universities. Read the breakdown of each official and its connection to anti-Semitic individuals.

President Trump meets with Syria's new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Just a few months ago, Sharaa put a $10 million bounty on him on the list of designated terrorists in the United States. The meeting comes after Trump announced his plan to lift decades of sanctions on Syria. The country's economy has struggled since the Civil War and removed the Assad regime.

• 🎧 Aya Batrawy of NPR tells first Trump and salad meeting could change the regionnot just Syria. Syria is the backbone of the Middle East, but for more than a decade it has collapsed and been poor by its wars, destroying parts of the region. New Syria said it is ready to establish relations with the United States. Possible lifting of sanctions could help Arab countries prevent Iran from establishing an existence in Syria, while also being consistent with the U.S. interests to prevent Russia from establishing a base there. However, raising sanctions is a complex process that involves conducting through Congress.

Representatives from Russia and Ukraine will hold negotiations in Türkiye tomorrowenter a new phase, trying to stop or end the war. This is the first direct negotiation between the two countries since the Kremlin's early full invasion in 2022. Trump suggests he might stop.

• 🎧 Moscow and Kyiv try to show Trump NPR's Charles Maynes said they are more serious political parties seeking peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin calls for direct negotiations as new sanctions on Russia if he does not promise an immediate ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to participate in the negotiations and challenge Putin to appear. Zelenskyy said he did not believe Putin actually wanted a ceasefire and the meeting was a stagnant strategy. If Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy were all partying, Menes said, “everything could happen.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify on Capitol Hill today This is the first time since serving as Minister of Health and Human Services. Since taking office, Kennedy has fired thousands of employees, canceled billions of dollars in grants to universities and public health departments, and cleared science leaders. He will testify before the House and Senate to explain why he is providing less money to his department in the coming year.

• 🎧 Doge's efforts to narrow down administration with KennedyNPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin said. But Kennedy also tried to fundamentally change HHS’ mission and instill its priorities. He noted that chronic disease is an epidemic that links the size and budget of HHS staff to worsen health in the U.S. population. Simmons Duffin said she will focus on department overhaul at today’s hearing. The overhaul is called administrative layoffs. But many of the agency’s core functions, including those required by Congress, are now in a difficult situation. Other topics that could arise during Kennedy’s testimony include a measles outbreak in West Texas, his autism approach, and cuts in biomedical research.

Listen today

In the 69-year history of the 200 albums in the All-night Billboard, Spanish albums are the 1st and 2nd. Bad Bunny got the highest position in the crown. A surprising debut behind him was Mexican-American band Fuerza Regida, their ninth album. After eight years of music, the band's new album, 111xpantiaAfter a brief shift to more electronic sounds from their previous albums, marking their traditional style. What sets the group apart is the magnetism of their melody and how to dance with popular grooves. Listen to song clips from the album and show what makes them so special.

Life is better

Life is better Special series About the need to stay healthy in the United States.

Nutritionists usually recommend whole grains or brown rice and pasta on their counterparts, white rice and pasta, as they are more nutritious. But over the past decade, food scientists have figured out how people can digest carbohydrates more slowly. In the process, they found a surprise: a super nutritious hidden inside white pasta and white rice called resistant starch. Studies have shown that diets that are more drug-resistant can improve intestinal health, reduce inflammation in the body and enhance insulin sensitivity. Here is how you can create a supermarket in your own kitchen:

• 🍚After cooking the white rice, the chain of sugar molecules in the core is called starch. If you place the hot rice in the refrigerator for at least 6-8 hours, the sugar chains will stick together so that they will no longer be digested.
• 🍚 Studies show that eating cold rice is usually not as fast and high as eating hot rice.
• 🍚The same trick works for any food containing digestible starch, including white pasta and potatoes. Pasta and potato salads don't stimulate blood sugar as quickly as hoarse pasta.
• 🍚You don't have to eat cold cereals; you can reheat it gently. Fry in the microwave or lightly.

Three things to know before moving forward

1. Aside, the Bubble Gum Machine is a new vending machine. Ana Inciardi distributes surprise mini art prints in at least 50 locations in the United States
2. All considerationsA new series that helps you here is illuminating those who choose their volunteer time. If you volunteer, they want to hear your stories about how work can change your life.
3. A group of forgotten, secret Nazi documents were recently found in the basement of the Argentina Supreme Court.

The newsletter is Suzanne Nuyen.