New Russia Election Threat; Taliban-U.S. Agreement; The Rise Of 4-Day Workweeks

Plus, what in the world is a ‘plantfluencer’? by Jill Hudson and Suzette Lohmeyer First Up [U.S. Marines stand guard during the change of command ceremony at Shorab military camp in Afghanistan's Helmand province in January 2018.]( Massoud Hossaini/AP Here's what we're following today. Secretary of State Pompeo tweeted this morning that a seven-day “reduction in violence” will begin at midnight, local time in Afghanistan. The quasi cease-fire’s success is [a prerequisite for moving forward on a peace-deal agreement]( with the Taliban that includes a phased U.S. military withdrawal from the country. Russia is looking to help President Trump win reelection in 2020. That, according to reports, was the stark warning delivered to lawmakers at a classified briefing last week. In the run-up to this weekend’s caucuses, many commentators have noted that Nevada is more racially diverse than Iowa or New Hampshire. But that’s just one of the ways Nevada stands out. [Click here to follow NPR's coverage]( for the latest updates, analysis and results as the caucuses get underway. Roger Stone, former adviser to President Trump, was sentenced to more than three years in prison on Thursday amid an uproar about what critics call [Trump's interference in the workings of justice](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listens [Lisa Ricchio sued the motel where she was sexually assaulted and held captive under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.]( Todd Bookman/New Hampshire Public Radio A human trafficking survivor recently settled a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against the hotel where she was held captive. Lisa Ricchio says the staff turned a blind eye to her abuse. The case has ushered in a wave of similar cases nationwide. Warning: This report includes graphic and disturbing descriptions of sexual violence. ([Listening time, 4:08]( or [read the story here]( Since losing the Georgia governor's race in 2018, Democrat Stacey Abrams has launched Fair Fight — a voting rights campaign that's active in 18 battleground states ahead of this year's election. ([Listening time, 6:49]( or [read the story here]( Scientists at a National Institutes of Health lab are in a hurry to develop a vaccine to protect people against the new coronavirus. They are trying to do it in record time. ([Listening time, 4:04]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Daily Good [Shake Shack shortened managers' workweeks to four days at some stores a year and a half ago. Recently, the burger chain expanded the trial to a third of its U.S. stores.]( Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group via Getty Images The idea of a shorter workweek might sound crazy to overworked Americans, but companies around the world are embracing it. [Employers are seeing surprising benefits]( including higher sales and profits, from four-day workweeks. Many employers aren't just moving to 10-hour shifts, four days a week; they're going to a 32-hour week — without cutting pay. In exchange, employers are asking their workers to get their jobs done in a compressed amount of time. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (right) receives the crown from the man who found it, Sirak Asfaw, during a ceremony Thursday in Addis Ababa. ]( The Office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed via AP - More than two decades after it was hidden in a Dutch apartment, [a ceremonial crown dating back to the 18th century]( has found its way home to Ethiopia. - The indoor houseplant market is booming, especially among millennials; so of course we’re now seeing the rise of "[plantfluencers]( on social media. - Film critic Justin Chang says [the new film version of the Jane Austen classic]( Emma, is as clever and rich as its famous heroine. - Three companies have agreed to buy [fast-fashion retailer Forever 21]( and plan to continue to operate its U.S. and international stores. --------------------------------------------------------------- We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](