The latest Middle East talks failed to secure a cease-fire agreement Israel says it launched a “preemptive” strike against Hezbollah targets in the early morning. Military officials say they had intelligence that the Iran-backed militants were about to attack. Read more on NPR

Dungeons, Dragons and shoulder pads: Why I loved D&D as a closeted teen As Dungeons & Dragons turns 50, critic Glen Weldon looks back on playing the game in its early years — and stumbling upon the fierce, shoulder-padded illusionist that would become his first character. Read more on NPR

Gunmen kill at least 31 people in 2 separate attacks in restive southwestern Pakistan The Baluchistan province has been the scene of a long-running insurgency, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks. There there was no immediate claim of responsibility in these attacks. Read more on NPR

Former national security adviser says he won’t work for Trump again In his new book At War with Ourselves, My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster recounts his experience working for Trump and his inner circle. Read more on NPR

Garcetti denies lying under oath to cover up allegations against a top adviser NPR investigates allegations that former Los Angeles mayor and current U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti lied under oath to protect a friend and adviser from harassment claims. Read more on NPR

Harris’ momentum continues as she ties with Trump in these swing states Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump are nearly tied in seven states critical to the presidential race, an NPR analysis of polling averages shows. Read more on NPR

Ukrainians gathered with supporters in Washington, D.C., to run in traditional attire They ran along the Potomac River over the weekend in Ukrainians’ traditional dress shirts: the vyshyvanka. It’s a shirt with colorful embroidery —– especially on the front, collar and sleeves. Read more on NPR

There’s a severe kidney shortage. Should donors be compensated? More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant. But a kidney shortage means many die on the waitlist or become too sick for a transplant. A new plan would compensate donors. Read more on NPR

Insurance refused to pay for her abortion, even when her life was at stake Insurance coverage for abortion care in the U.S. is a hodgepodge. And the proliferation of abortion bans in various states has exacerbated the confusion. Read more on NPR

‘The West Wing’ was my inspiration. 25 years on I got to meet President Bartlet When NPR was offered the chance to interview Martin Sheen and Melissa Fitzgerald about The West Wing, I dashed through the newsroom with an energy to rival the show’s iconic walk and talks. Read more on NPR