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At this time’s prime tales
The Trump administration has secretly overhauled nuclear security directives to fast-track the development of a brand new era of reactors, in keeping with paperwork obtained by NPR. The Division of Vitality, which is overseeing the Reactor Pilot Program to construct no less than three experimental business nuclear reactors by July 4, made the sweeping modifications over the autumn and winter. Critics are warning that the transfer gambles with the general public’s belief and compromises security.
Idaho Nationwide Laboratory/Collage by Joan Wong for NPR
- 🎧 After evaluating tons of of pages of latest guidelines with the previous ones, NPR’s Geoff Brumfiel says he and a colleague discovered that there are some essential modifications to the protection steerage. The brand new guidelines alter groundwater protections by changing the strict requirement to guard water from radiological contamination. They now say that consideration have to be given to keep away from contamination. Comparable language rollbacks have been discovered for discharges into public sewers and the atmosphere. Brumfiel says the modifications may doubtlessly impression every part from employee radiation publicity to reactor safety.
President Trump spoke in Iowa final evening as a part of a midterm election marketing campaign. The president centered his speech on a prime voter concern: the financial system. The state’s Republicans are defending an open Senate seat and different positions they usually count on to win simply. However the GOP candidates could must put in additional work to garner the votes they want this yr.
- 🎧 NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben tells Up First that it appeared the president’s speech was attempting to shift the narrative away from the federal officers who shot and killed two folks in Minneapolis. Trump maintained his typical tone, touting a powerful financial system. However the knowledge contradicts his message. In accordance with Kurtzleben, inflation has cooled however stays elevated, and the job market seems to be slowing. Much more so, Individuals don’t really feel the financial system is presently doing nicely, which has left Trump’s approval score on the financial system in double-digit damaging territory.
After a yearlong investigation, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board blamed a number of systemwide failures for the midair collision of an Military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airways regional jet close to Washington, D.C., that killed 67 folks. Within the findings, investigators laid a lot of the blame on the Federal Aviation Administration.
- 🎧 NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the FAA ought to have recognized in regards to the battle between the helicopter route and the place the regional flight was trying to land. She revealed that, for years, air site visitors controllers repeatedly flagged shut calls on the actual spot the place the crash occurred, however their pleas have been ignored. NPR’s Joel Rose famous that there have been just a few key moments the place issues may have gone in a different way, together with if the helicopter crew had heard the site visitors controllers higher and realized that the airplane was coming from the left aspect of the Potomac River, not the appropriate.
A person rushed at Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., final evening throughout a city corridor, spraying her with an unknown liquid from a syringe. Footage from the occasion exhibits the person approaching her on the lectern as she delivered remarks earlier than safety swiftly tackled him to the bottom. Moments earlier than the assault, Omar had been calling for Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment.
At this time’s hear
Artists Rei Ami (left), EJAE, and Audrey Nuna of KPop Demon Hunters are photographed in Los Angeles.
Lauren Crew for NPR
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Lauren Crew for NPR
The fictional band HUNTR/X from the hit animated film KPop Demon Hunters went from an unknown group to a worldwide sensation in 2025. Now, the group is heading to the Grammys with 5 nominations. The powerhouse voices behind Mira, Zoey and Rumi are real-life music artists Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami and EJAE — entertainers who’ve solid profitable careers of their very own. At a Los Angeles recording studio, the trio sat down with All Issues Thought of host Ailsa Chang to debate the movie’s breakout success. Within the interview, they shared their journey as artists, their imaginative and prescient for the way forward for the film’s universe and the way they’ve honored their Korean heritage via their work within the movie. Learn highlights from the dialogue, take heed to what they needed to say or try the transcript from the interview.
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From the most important names of their fields to consultants on probably the most urgent matters of our time, NPR is breaking down the tales that matter via our in-depth interviews. Immerse your self in these conversations in your favourite NPR platforms.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has tackled a number of monumental points in his political profession, together with his household’s expertise as victims of a 2025 arson assault fueled by his Jewish religion. Shapiro, in his first time period main the state, incessantly surfaces in discussions about potential Democratic contenders for the White Home in 2028. For now, nevertheless, he says he is centered on the midterm elections. He is operating for a second time period, with a pointy concentrate on election safety. In a dialog with All Issues Thought of host Scott Detrow, Shapiro discusses his new memoir, The place We Preserve the Mild, and shares his recollections of the horrible assault that occurred throughout Passover.
Hearken to the interview or learn the article in regards to the dialogue or watch a video. It’s also possible to try the dialog on NPR’s YouTube web page.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
A robotic lifts a dice in an elementary college in classroom in Beijing.
John Ruwitch/NPR/NPR
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John Ruwitch/NPR/NPR
- China has made synthetic intelligence a state-mandated a part of its curriculum to develop future AI-savvy professionals, whereas the U.S. continues to debate the dangers of AI in colleges.
- The American Library Affiliation awarded the nation’s prime honors to the perfect books for kids and younger adults yesterday.
- CBS Information Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss introduced yesterday at an all-staff assembly that she plans important newsroom cuts and the addition of latest commentators.
This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
