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At present’s prime tales
President Trump introduced yesterday that the U.S. Navy will spend billions of taxpayer {dollars} per ship to construct a brand new class of warships named after him. The press occasion, the place he spoke in regards to the plan, got here a number of days after a Trump-led board voted to place his identify on the Kennedy Heart.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens to President Trump announce the U.S. Navy’s new Golden Fleet initiative, unveiling a brand new class of warships, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Seaside, Florida, on Dec. 22, 2025.
Andrew Canallero-Reynolds/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
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Andrew Canallero-Reynolds/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
- 🎧 The president stated that his administration would begin by constructing two of those new battleships, which he says can have nuclear missile functionality, NPR’s Quil Lawrence tells Up First. He stated manufacturing would ramp as much as produce extra of those ships. The president did not present a particular timeframe for any of the manufacturing. Throughout yesterday’s press occasion, Trump mentioned how U.S. forces are chasing after a 3rd large oil tanker. The administration’s actions towards oil tankers stay uncharted territory, and the president wasn’t centered on these particulars throughout his speech, Lawrence stated.
A federal decide has dominated that the deportations of over 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador have been unlawful. U.S. District Choose James Boasberg dominated that the federal government violated due course of and decided that the boys are entitled to a listening to. Earlier this 12 months, the U.S. deported quite a few males to a jail in El Salvador after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act. Boasberg’s ruling comes as the brand new head of CBS Information, Bari Weiss, stopped the community from broadcasting interviews with former detainees on 60 Minutes over the weekend.
- 🎧 Boasberg ordered the administration to return the boys to the U.S. or present due course of hearings overseas, although it’s unclear how the federal government would facilitate that, NPR’s Ximena Bustillo says. Whereas the federal government will doubtless attraction the choice, legal professionals for the Venezuelans argue the ruling makes it clear that the federal government can not ship folks off to a brutal overseas jail with out due course of. The lads are again in Venezuela after 4 months within the Salvadoran jail. They’ve reported to NPR and different shops in regards to the poor diet, unsanitary situations and sexual abuse they skilled whereas imprisoned.
Greater than a dozen employees members are leaving Heritage Basis, the influential conservative suppose tank behind Undertaking 2025. The previous employees are becoming a member of a gaggle that former Vice President Mike Pence based. This marks a division inside the Republican Occasion as it really works to find out who ought to characterize the political motion and what it ought to stand for.
- 🎧 Pence’s Advancing American Freedom has been a comparatively small group, however it’s working to broaden into a bigger management function, says NPR’s Sarah McCammon. The group’s president, Tim Chapman, says it’s working to outline the way forward for conservatism and hopes to bolster assist for conventional ideas, resembling free commerce and a much less isolationist overseas coverage. In the meantime, Heritage Basis stays a big and influential group.
Life recommendation
Socializing might make you are feeling awkward, however avoiding awkwardness can hinder your skill to have enjoyable and make connections this vacation season. Psychologists Ali Mattu and Fallon Goodman shared suggestions with Life Package on methods to degree up your small discuss sport and observe social braveness. So, earlier than you bail in your group potluck or workplace occasion, try this comedian showcasing their recommendation.
- 💬 Begin constructing a day by day routine of low-stakes socializing, like speaking to a cashier, classmate or coworker.
- 💬 Strive setting small targets like speaking to at least one individual or asking two questions. You can even create an escape plan and provides your self an exit technique to go away if you actually need to.
- 💬 Put your cellphone away. Taking a look at our screens generally is a security habits that retains us from connecting with others.
For extra on methods to work along with your social anxiousness, take heed to this episode of NPR’s Life Package. Subscribe to the Life Package publication for knowledgeable recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.
Image present
Rafael López / Roaring Brook Press
After his mother died, Kevin Maillard puzzled, “The place did she go?” He wrote about his confusion in his new children’ guide, And They Stroll On, which Rafael López illustrates. The guide follows a little bit boy whose grandmother has died. The kid then wonders the place somebody goes once they stroll on. Maybe they’re within the backyard watering herbs or heading to the market to purchase melons. The story begins with muted illustrations in impartial colours. Then, because the little boy begins to recollect his grandmother, the colours turn out to be brighter and extra vivid. See how the guide’s illustrations use shade to inform a narrative. You can even take heed to Maillard and López talk about the artistic choices they made or learn the transcript right here.
3 issues to know earlier than you go
Dr. Tyler Jorgensen units “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on a document participant at Dell Seton Medical Heart in Austin Texas. He makes use of vinyl information as a type of music remedy for palliative care sufferers.
Lorianne Willett/KUT Information
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Lorianne Willett/KUT Information
- The ATX-VINyL program brings music to the bedsides of sufferers dealing with difficult diagnoses and coverings. The Texas physician who conceived this system says listening to vinyl music helps raise heavy moments for households.
- Kansas lawmakers accepted a significant tax incentives package deal yesterday, serving to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs construct a brand new $3 billion domed stadium within the state and transfer the workforce from Missouri. (by way of KCUR)
- Trump just lately embraced kei automobiles, tiny autos fashionable in Asia that stay uncommon within the U.S. Kei automotive fanatics are delighted by the endorsement, however they doubt that a lot will change, because the autos fail to fulfill particular U.S. security necessities.
This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.