On this week's wild card, we talk with Isa Ray about those moments where our lives could have gone another direction.

Definitely wasn't supposed to be like at all. At all. But I still think about it.

I'm Rachel Martin. I'm Rachel Martin.

Isa Ray tells us how to make peace with the path not taken.

That's on the Wild Card Podcast from NPR,

the game where cards control the conversation.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The White House is defending President Biden's decision to pause the shipment of more than 3,000 bombs to Israel.

As in Paris Tamar Keith explains, it comes as talks to secure a temporary ceasefire in Gaza

have failed to reach a breakthrough.

CIA Director Bill Burns has left talks aimed at securing the release of hostages and

a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.

White House spokesman John Kirby had been optimistic earlier this week that the differences between Israel and Hamas could be bridged, but that didn't happen.

That doesn't mean though that there aren't still ongoing conversations, the teams are still in Cairo,

and it doesn't mean we're giving up hope.

We still believe that there's a path forward.

Kirby also warned that if Israel launches a major ground operation in Raffa, the loss of civilian life

would give Hamas more leverage in negotiations, not less.

Tamar Keith, NPR News, the White House.

The Department of Veterans Affairs over paid top executives nearly $11 million last year.

NPR's Quill Lawrence reports on a VA Inspector General's investigation published today.

When Congress wrote The Pact Act, a massive expansion of VA benefits for troops exposed to toxic chemicals,

it included funds to attract and retain VA executives. The aim was to stay competitive with hiring in-demand

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