As the Taliban savor freedom, Afghans pay the price; a nonprofit erases medical debt

Plus, what's in the Espionage Act, the law Trump is suspected of violating [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen First up [The Kabul airport was a chaotic mess in the weeks leading up the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as Afghans tried to flee the country.]( Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today: U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan one year ago. It was a chaotic end to America's longest war — and a turning point in the Biden presidency. He was elected on a promise of competency. [His ratings took a hit]( after the bungled exit and never recovered. ➡️ The Taliban preside over a divided country one year later. For the first time in decades, Afghans are [living in relative peace](. But the economy is in shambles, hunger is widespread due to sanctions on the Taliban, and girls are still out of school. Afghanistan isn't the only significant anniversary the U.S. is observing this week: It's been 10 years since American journalist Austin Tice disappeared in Syria. His mother says he's being held with a "[government-related entity]( after being kidnapped in a suburb of Damascus. Sen. Rand Paul is calling for the repeal of the Espionage Act while federal authorities are investigating whether Donald Trump violated that law. It's the first time a former president is being investigated for possibly breaking the 1917 law, but not the first time it's been under scrutiny. [Check out what's in the law and whether it holds up today](. After years of decline, historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S. are seeing a rise in enrollment. Famous graduates like Kamala Harris could be behind the recent boost, but some Black students and their families say they [see a safer learning environment]( in these institutions. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Picture show Claire Harbage/NPR A year after the Taliban raised their white flag over Afghanistan's capital for the second time, NPR toured the country and spoke to the Taliban and residents about [what life's been like](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen [Terri Logan (right) practices music with her daughter, Amari Johnson (left), at their home in Spartanburg, S.C. When Logan's daughter was born premature, the medical bills started pouring in and stayed with her for years. Then, a few months ago, she discovered a nonprofit had paid off her debt.]( Juan Diego Reyes for KHN and NPR The nonprofit RIP Medical Debt has bought up $6.7 billion in hospital bills plaguing low-income patients and freed 3.6 million people from having to pay. 🎧 Listen to the company's CEO outline [where she wants to go from here]( or [read the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Anne Heche is shown at the 74th annual Directors Guild of America Awards, Saturday, March 12, 2022, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif.]( Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Before you go - Actress Anne Heche has died after being [taken off of life support]( following a car crash. She was 53. - R. Kelly, the convicted sex offender and disgraced singer, is on trial again — this time in Chicago. He's [charged with 13 counts]( that include creating and receiving child pornography, enticing minors into illegal sexual activity and obstruction of justice. - Zimbabwe's elephant population is growing, but climate change is [bringing them closer to humans]( in search of water, and they often end up clashing with villagers for scarce resources --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]( [NPR logo]