Private military contractors have been involved in modern conflicts from the Middle East to Africa. A former military contractor explains how mercenaries are used and what impact they can have on warfare. Also, Germany is looking for ways to stop the rise of far-right extremism. A member of the German Parliament responds.

How Mercenaries Are Used; German Far-Right Extremism

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Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are growing around the U.S. Hatem Abudayyeh of the Chicago-based U.S. Palestinian Community Network joins us. Then, the number of people experiencing homelessness reached a record high in 2023. We speak with local officials from Burlington, Vermont, and Bakersfield, California, working to end the crisis. And, video game creator Jordan Mechner talks about his new graphic novel, "Replay," which interweaves his personal history with the story of how his family escaped the Nazis.

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How cities are addressing record-high homelessness

Russia launched airstrikes on the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday, killing 18 people. The Washington Post's Siobhan O'Grady shares the latest. Then, Georgetown law professor Mary McCord explains Trump's criminal trial in New York. And, author Lissa Soep talks about her new book, "Other People's Words," where she reflects on how the voices of people who have died continue to speak through their loved ones and her.

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Trump's alleged 'hush money' scheme, explained

Workers at a Tennessee Volkswagen plant are voting on whether to unionize. Michael Martinez of Automotive News shares the latest. Then, are we in a new era of drone warfare? RAND political scientist Caitlin Lee weighs in. And, ProPublica's Craig Silverman talks about a coordinated gift card scam that totals hundreds of millions of dollars.

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Grift cards: The gift card fraud scheme costing consumers millions

We look at how Israelis are reacting to Iran's attack with Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas. Kerem Navot founder Dror Etkes talks about Israeli settlers in the West Bank attacking Palestinian villages. Then, one year into Sudan's civil war, we hear from one Sudanese-American whose family is trapped in Khartoum. And, NBA columnist A. Sherrod Blakely talks about the league's Play-In tournament and Caitlin Clark's WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever.

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He escaped Sudan in 1999. But his family is still trapped there

We discuss Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel with journalist Borzou Daragahi and security analyst Jim Walsh. Then, PolitiFact's Lou Jacobson breaks down the facts of Trump's hush money trial. And, distance-running legends Des Linden and Kara Goucher talk about their new podcast "Nobody Asked Us," the future of women's running and more.

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How Mercenaries Are Used; German Far-Right Extremism

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