Lawmakers need extra Epstein information; Trump’s crypto : NPR

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At this time’s prime tales

A bipartisan group of Congress members try as we speak to drive a vote to make the Trump administration launch extra of the Jeffrey Epstein information. The Justice Division initially promised to launch extra particulars on the convicted intercourse offender, then abruptly mentioned there was nothing extra to see. This has been a focal matter surrounding the administration, as President Trump was a longtime buddy of Epstein till a falling out within the early 2000s. A number of the girls Epstein victimized are anticipated to look on the Capitol as we speak, together with Lisa Phillips, who spoke to NPR. She says that to her, releasing the information is not a political challenge; it is a human rights challenge.

• 🎧 Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky filed a “discharge petition” yesterday to attempt to get round management and drive a vote, NPR’s Domenico Montanaro tells Up First. They would want 218 signatures from the Home to maneuver ahead. It will nonetheless must go the Senate, which means this measure alone will not consequence within the paperwork’ launch. Proponents of the petition hope that this stress will lead the administration to do extra, together with releasing extra information by itself. Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who can be central within the effort to drive the vote, says he desires full accountability and is advocating for Epstein’s victims.

Trump’s household cryptocurrency enterprise, World Liberty Monetary, started buying and selling publicly on Monday. The launch added roughly $5 billion to the household’s wealth — no less than on paper. The enterprise was co-founded by the president and his sons. A couple of years in the past, Trump referred to crypto as a rip-off, however he has now embraced it and has vowed to make the U.S. the crypto capital of the world.

• 🎧 Apart from the theoretical increase to the Trumps’ wealth, the preliminary days of buying and selling fell flat, says NPR’s Maria Aspan. The brand new World Liberty Monetary crypto tokens are at present buying and selling at 22 cents, down from 30 cents proper after the launch. Trump and his sons are at present prohibited from promoting their very own tokens, so they won’t see any speedy earnings. Nevertheless, the launch has created extra pathways for the household to learn from the crypto trade. Many authorities ethics and monetary specialists have raised considerations about conflicts of curiosity after Trump appointed crypto-friendly regulators to his administration and began this enterprise. The critics consider Trump might revenue from the relaxed rules popping out of his administration.

China flexed its navy and diplomatic muscle mass as we speak at a navy parade marking the eightieth anniversary of the tip of World Conflict II. The occasion was the primary time because the top of the Chilly Conflict that the leaders of China, North Korea and Russia have met in a single place. Leaders of 26 nations, together with Slovakia, Serbia, and Cuba, have been in attendance. No different Western leaders have been in attendance.

• 🎧 The defining picture from the occasion featured China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un collectively on the podium overlooking the sq., says NPR’s Anthony Kuhn. Xi acknowledged that China stands on the precise aspect of historical past, and Western leaders did not attend the occasion as a result of he’s aligned with Putin and his invasion of Ukraine. The central message of Xi’s speech is that there are at present historic modifications being witnessed, together with the rise of China and the decline of the U.S.-led post-war order. Xi expressed that this shift within the stability of energy will help China in attaining its objective of changing into a contemporary nation with a complicated navy by the mid-Twenty first century.

Deep dive

This 12 months, extra states than ever earlier than are instituting bans on scholar gadgets throughout college hours. Many states say college students study higher in a phone-free surroundings. Eradicating cellphones from the classroom has garnered bipartisan assist, resulting in a speedy adoption of insurance policies throughout pink and blue states. Nevertheless, not everyone seems to be on board with the change.

• 📱 Many colleges will distribute locked baggage to college students for the gadgets. The pouches value about $30 every, which might be costly for colleges with a big inhabitants.
• 📱 Zoë George is one highschool scholar who’s fearful about how the brand new insurance policies will affect homework and faculty work throughout free durations. She notes that college students typically use their gadgets to finish work. She’s additionally involved that leaving campus for lunch might develop into tougher with a bell-to-bell cellphone coverage.
• 📱 Some anxious dad and mom and guardians are fearful about not with the ability to contact their kids all through the day. Alex Stegner, a trainer in Oregon, says he expects them to calm down as the varsity 12 months goes on.

At this time’s pay attention

Ndlovu Youth Choir – Bohemian Rhapsody

Ndlovu Youth Choir

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Ndlovu Youth Choir

The Ndlovu Youth Choir has launched an thrilling new mission: a Zulu-language model of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The choir originated in South Africa’s rural Limpopo province and gained worldwide fame on America’s Received Expertise in 2019. The mission marks the primary time Queen has licensed a translation of the enduring rock music. Coinciding with the music’s fiftieth anniversary, the brand new model incorporates African musical traditions, mixing types from township music like isicathamiya with the Congolese swing of kwassa kwassa. Hearken to a snippet of the Zulu-language model of the music, or learn extra concerning the mission.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Malle (proper) takes over the reins of American Vogue from legendary editor Anna Wintour (left).

Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

1. Chloe Malle was introduced yesterday as the brand new head of editorial content material for American Vogue. She strikes into the function two months after Anna Wintour determined to step away from managing Vogue‘s day by day editorial operations.
2. Kraft Heinz is splitting into two separate corporations. The breakup comes a decade after its messy mega-merger, organized by billionaire investor Warren Buffett.
3. Social media influencer Ed Folks is asking folks everywhere in the world to point out off their favourite dance strikes. He says the mission’s objective is to convey pleasure, construct bridges and showcase numerous cultures worldwide.

This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.