The detonation marked a major step in freeing the Dali, which has been stuck among the wreckage since it crashed into one of the bridge's support columns shortly after leaving Baltimore on March 26.

At the European Hospital in Rafah, there are shortages of pain medication, antibiotics, even bandages, American volunteers say they are unable to save lives — and unable to evacuate to safety.

French Gates says she is "immensely proud" of the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the decision to step down as co-chair was not easy. Her last day is June 7.

President Biden dramatically expanded two national monuments in California. But there are growing concerns that federal land managers are struggling to manage existing monuments designated since 2016.

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion features original classical wind band music composed by Ferdinand Ries, a German composer who was a pupil, secretary, and friend of Ludwig van Beethoven. Ries was born into a musical family from Bonn, Germany. His grandfather was the court trumpeter for the Elector of Cologne at Bonn. His father was a violinist who was also the elector’s music director. Likewise, two brothers were violin players and one of these was also a composer. Ries began piano lessons with his father. But at age 18, he moved to Vienna and became Beethoven’s pupil and soon became his secretary as well, taking care of correspondence with publishers and copying music.

Hear wide variety of local music sounds and styles on this week’s Valley Sounds. If you miss a show, get the podcast on iTunes or with the WLRH mobile app.

New contributor Hannah Kanfer shares a personal story about compassion in her essay "The Meaning of a Haircut".

This edition of Brass, Reeds, and Percussion opens with a pasodoble written by Santiago Lope, a Spanish composer who lived from 1871 to 1906. At age 6, Lope joined the village band playing the piccolo. One day, a military band visited his village and the band director noticed Lope, resulting in his being sent to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid where he studied violin, harmony, and composition. At age 15, he became a member of Madrid’s Apollo Theater orchestra. After becoming the principal violinist of another Madrid Orchestra, he became conductor of the Romeo Theater Orchestra. Then he moved to Valencia, where he started the Valencia Municipal Band.