Russia-Ukraine battle escalates; Kennedy Heart Honors : NPR

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At this time’s high tales

Combating in Ukraine escalated in latest days as President Trump prepares to fulfill with Russian chief Vladimir Putin in Alaska tomorrow. This week, a small variety of Russian troops slipped by means of Ukraine’s defensive strains on the primary battlefront close to the city of Pokrovsk, NPR’s Greg Myre tells Up First. Because the battle continues, Trump will try and dealer a ceasefire deal on the summit.

• 🎧 Russia is now unleashing waves of drones most nights, says Myre, who’s in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. Till this 12 months, Russia fired about a few dozen drones an evening. In July, it averaged over 200 an evening, sending many at civilian targets throughout the nation. Ukraine is on the offensive with its personal drones, putting deep inside Russia at oil refineries and railway stations and concentrating on transportation techniques used to ship provides, together with ammunition, to troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Putin reveals no indicators of getting ready for a truce, and it seems Russia may increase navy operations.

The Trump administration is constructing a big detention camp at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, close to the U.S.-Mexico border. The mission will price billions of {dollars}. The tent facility is a part of an effort to extend detention area to hold out mass deportations. In accordance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the situation will open with 1,000 beds, with plans to increase to five,000. The primary detainees are anticipated to reach on Sunday.

• 🎧 El Paso is an space that has advocated for immigrants, in line with Angela Kocherga with NPR’s community station KTEP. Some locals have voiced issues about utilizing a navy base to hold out immigration enforcement. Not one of the energetic responsibility troopers might be concerned in operations on the camp. At a time when funding for training, housing and healthcare is being lower, individuals are involved concerning the sum of money going into constructing and working amenities just like the one opening at Fort Bliss, says Kocherga.

Trump introduced this 12 months’s Kennedy Heart honorees and stated that he would host the ceremony — a presidential first — in December. This comes after the president’s takeover of the performing arts middle in February, when he named himself chairman and appointed loyalists to the board. The 2025 honorees embrace nation singer George Strait, Broadway star Michael Crawford, actor Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor and the rock band KISS.

• 🎧 Historically, nominees for the award come from Kennedy Heart board members, most of the people and previous honorees, explains NPR’s Elizabeth Blair. The U.S. president was by no means carefully concerned the best way Trump has been this 12 months. The president acknowledged that he rejected some candidates whom he known as “wokesters.” Blair says Trump’s ardour for the performing arts stood out to her as he spoke of every honoree, as a result of he has proposed eliminating the humanities and humanities endowments that assist music and theater throughout the nation.

Life recommendation

Male hand with flowers in megaphone. Modern artwork collage, trendy art work. Idea of concept, inspiration, creativity and wonder. Brilliant yellow, purple colours. Copyspace to your advert or textual content. Surreal conceptual poster.

master1305/Getty Photographs

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master1305/Getty Photographs

There are moments in life when you must ship a pep discuss to somebody. To encourage braveness and motivation, it is important to point out you’re on the message receiver’s facet. Josh Linden and Paula Skaggs, co-authors of the e book Tiny Pep Talks, share with Life Package the proper substances to ship a message that conjures up — whether or not it is for a liked one or for your self.

• 💬 As a substitute of claiming, “You are able to do this!” tailor the message to the individual and what they’re anxious about.
• 💬 Be a cheerleader to your family members in on a regular basis moments. Do not save assist and encouragement just for life’s larger challenges.
• 💬 Keep in mind to evaluate the scenario. Not each pep discuss has to incorporate recommendation or an answer. Attempt being an energetic listener and supply consolation.

For extra steerage on giving pep talks, hearken to this episode of NPR’s Life Package. Subscribe to the Life Package e-newsletter for skilled recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

Image present

A six-month-old Mojave Desert Tortoise is examined by wildlife biologist.

Donovan Smith/NPS

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Donovan Smith/NPS

The Mojave Desert tortoise has been thought of a threatened species for some time. In June, California took measures to guard it additional., The tortoises, with their unmistakable domed patterned shells, dwell in California, components of Nevada, Arizona and northwestern Mexico. Through the years, they’ve misplaced their habitat as a consequence of encroaching growth. Some estimates present that round 90% of Mojave Desert tortoises have disappeared since 1984 in 4 out of the 5 main areas the place they are often discovered. As a response to the declining inhabitants, California has declared the tortoise as endangered beneath the state’s Endangered Species Act. See pictures of the tortoise in its pure habitat and skim extra about why it is vital to the atmosphere.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Blended drinks are displayed at a bar in Baltimore, Feb. 8, 2023.

Julio Cortez/AP

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Julio Cortez/AP

1. This 12 months, 54% of Individuals stated they drink alcohol, breaking the file low set in 1958, in line with a brand new Gallup ballot.
2. HUNTR/X, the lady group from the film KPop Demon Hunters, took the No.1 spot on Billboard‘s Sizzling 100 this week with “Golden.” The actual-life singers who make up the group have now turn into the primary girls Okay-pop artists ever to get the highest spot on the chart.
3. Spotify, the preferred streaming service globally, shouldn’t be taking steps to label AI-generated content material, in contrast to different tech giants like YouTube. Spotify says it would not police the instruments artists use of their inventive course of, however consultants say extra transparency is vital.

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.