A possible U.S. evacuation from violence in Sudan; transgender care progress; officials infiltrate a cartel

Plus, Buzzfeed shutters its news division. [View this email online]( [NPR Up First Newsletter]( by Suzanne Nuyen April 21, 2023 Good morning. Muslim Americans will celebrate Eid al-Fitr this evening, marking the end of Ramadan. Grab chef Reem Assil's [orange and espresso date bar recipe](. It's a take on the Maamoul Med her mother used to make for the holiday. Here's what else we're following today. The U.S. is preparing for a possible evacuation of its citizens from Sudan, where vicious fighting between the country's army and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, has [continued since last weekend](. Sudan's Army Chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan said he was committed to transitioning the country to military rule but did not say he would accept a cease-fire from the RSF. [Smoke rising over Khartoum, Sudan, this week after an internationally brokered cease-fire failed.]( Marwan Ali/AP 🎧 NPR's Emmanual Akinwotu says the precarious situation makes the U.S.' plans uncertain. "These are preparations, but the [conditions for an evacuation just [aren't] there]( he tells the Up First podcast. He adds that “there’s a potential this conflict brings in other militia” from bordering countries, though they’ve “largely advocated peace talks” so far. BuzzFeed is closing its Pulitzer Prize-winning news division as the company [lays off 15% of its staff](. 🎧 Ben Smith, a former editor-in-chief at Buzzfeed News, says it's a "[moment of big change in the news business]( He tells Michel Martin on Morning Edition that the social media era "shaped a lot of what we all think of as news and media now," but he doesn't think it served the public. He adds that companies have to adjust now that the internet has changed and find a way to have "more human, more direct conversations." A record number of states have passed legislation this year to eliminate gender-affirming care for youths. But many states have also moved to protect it. In Minnesota, a final vote takes place today on a bill that would prevent state courts or officials from complying with child removal requests related to gender-affirming care. NPR member station reporters report on the [progress of trans healthcare in their states](. U.S. officials say they've infiltrated a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as the Chapitos network, which, they say, operates a major pipeline of deadly fentanyl into the U.S. Sons of El Chapo run the faction, and the U.S. is offering tens of millions of dollars in rewards as they try to arrest its leader. Mexico's President Lopez Obrador called the cartel's infiltration a threat to his country's sovereignty because his government didn't authorize it. 🎧 According to U.S. officials, taking down the cartel would help slow drug smuggling and save lives, but NPR's Brian Mann says the [medical experts he talked to were skeptical](. He tells Up First that U.S. demand for the drug and "the level of opioid addiction is huge." He adds that other major cartels could just replace the Chapitos if they're incarcerated. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- I'm really into [Clouds over a Michigan beach.]( Tamar Charney NPR's editorial strategist Tamar Charney loves clouds. While working on a photography project, she realized how much clouds color our experience of the world, making us feel cheery or energetic and even gloomy or subdued. She writes about how watching clouds can be a "reminder that [magical things in life can come out of nothing and out of nowhere]( What are you really into? [Fill out this form]( or leave us a voice note at 800-329-4273, and part of your submission may be featured online or on the radio. --------------------------------------------------------------- [A screenshot from the TV show Mrs. Davis showing the main character running toward the camera.]( Sophie Kohler/Peacock Check out what [our critics]( are watching, reading and listening to this weekend: 🍿 Movies: Michelle Williams and Hong Chau star in [Showing Up]( Kelly Reichardt’s latest film about an artist preparing for an exhibition while navigating her family life, colleagues and landlord. It touches on themes of isolation, alienation and community. 📺 TV: Peacock's new comedy series [Mrs. Davis]( has a bit of everything: a globetrotting nun, a fake Pope, a resistance movement made up entirely of muscular, sweet-natured himbos; a high-tech heist, some light blasphemy and a quest for the Holy Grail. 📚 Books: You can't meditate your way out of structural inequality. In [Real Self-Care: Bubble Baths, Cleanses and Crystals Not Included]( Dr. Pooja Lakshmin discusses the importance of systemic change in self-care. 🎵 Music: BTS' Suga makes his solo studio debut, David Bowie is reimagined as a dub album and Everything But the Girl releases its first new album in nearly 25 years. Check out the [best new music of this week](. 🎮 Games: Step into the shoes of a barista and serve a diverse cast of fantasy-inspired characters in an alternate universe version of Seattle in [Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterfly]( a sequel to Toge Productions' popular Coffee Talk game. --------------------------------------------------------------- [ Three elephant seals sleep on the beach.]( Photographer/Source If you didn't sleep enough last night, be thankful you're not a northern elephant seal. They sometimes go months with only [two hours of sleep a day](. Be suspicious of desserts offered by people who look like you. A Russian woman in NYC was sentenced to 21 years for [poisoning her doppelganger]( with cheesecake. Your next favorite song could be AI-generated. AI can create [new songs that sound like real artists]( introducing creative possibilities and ethical questions. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. 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 Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]