Alaskalink.US - OnLine
Alaskalink.US LOGO     Apr. 02, 2025   News  |  Links  |  Photo  |  Alerts  |  Hosting  |  Home  |  Add to Favorites  |  Terms of Use  |   |  Contact US 
Like to Join Alaskalink.US? Use Contact US form
 
NPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & Podcasts : NPR
Accessibility links
NPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & Podcasts Top stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR.

Latest Stories

Watch
From left, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., have been leading a push in the House to allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for House members who have recently given birth or whose spouse has.

From left, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo., have been leading a push in the House to allow proxy voting for up to 12 weeks for House members who have recently given birth or whose spouse has. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images

Politics

2 mothers bring the House to a halt over a push to allow proxy voting for new parents

GOP leaders tried to block a bipartisan measure to allow proxy voting, but nine Republicans joined with Democrats to overcome it.

Two mothers bring the House to a halt over push to allow proxy voting for new parents

Listen · 3:47
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5347921/nx-s1-5410267-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The New York Yankees' Austin Wells hits a home run using a torpedo bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The bats' distinctive shape quickly became the talk of the new baseball season.

The New York Yankees' Austin Wells hits a home run using a torpedo bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The bats' distinctive shape quickly became the talk of the new baseball season. Mike Stobe/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Sports

How do 'torpedo bats' work? We asked baseball physicists to explain

They look like baseball bats morphing into bowling pins, their ends flaring into an aggressive bulge that suddenly tapers. So how do they work?

WATCH

Zar Electrik: Tiny Desk x globalFEST

The trio from Marseille, France, taps into a centuries-long tradition of Gnawa music for its Tiny Desk.
Since the 1960s, the U.S. has charged a 25% tariff on imported pickup trucks — which until this week was ten times the tax on imported cars. The extra protection from foreign competition encouraged U.S. automakers to concentrate on pickup trucks while largely ceding the market for cheaper, smaller vehicles.

Since the 1960s, the U.S. has charged a 25% tariff on imported pickup trucks — which until this week was ten times the tax on imported cars. The extra protection from foreign competition encouraged U.S. automakers to concentrate on pickup trucks while largely ceding the market for cheaper, smaller vehicles. Jeff Kowalsky/AFP hide caption

toggle caption
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP

Economy

The U.S. already has tariffs on a few sectors. It hasn't gone that great

The U.S. has generally kept tariffs low, but a few domestic industries have long been protected by import taxes and other trade barriers. They offer clues about how Trump's new tariffs might work out.

US trade barriers

Listen · 4:28
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5348033/nx-s1-5408157-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
New tests of blood and spinal fluid could help doctors quickly identify patients who would most benefit from treatment.

New tests of blood and spinal fluid could help doctors quickly identify patients who would most benefit from treatment. Andrew Brookes/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Andrew Brookes/Getty Images

Your Health

The latest Alzheimer's lab tests focus on memory loss, not brain plaques

New tests of blood and spinal fluid can identify people experiencing memory loss from Alzheimer's disease.

Predicting cognitive decline in Alzheimer's

Listen · 3:55
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/g-s1-57688/nx-s1-5406300-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Meals on Wheels, which delivers food to homebound seniors, is among the programs for the elderly and disabled now at risk now because federal agencies have fired staff who administer them.

Meals on Wheels, which delivers food to homebound seniors, is among the programs for the elderly and disabled now at risk now because federal agencies have fired staff who administer them. Amy Sancetta/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Amy Sancetta/AP

Shots - Health News

HHS layoffs hit Meals on Wheels and other services for seniors and disabled

Staff that administer programs to help the elderly, disabled people and poor families with basic needs lost their jobs amid the Trump administration's layoffs.
Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search appears in court Feb. 21 for a hearing in New York.

Luigi Mangione, accused of fatally shooting the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City and leading authorities on a five-day search appears in court Feb. 21 for a hearing in New York. Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP hide caption

toggle caption
Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP

The Trump administration tells prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione

 WNYC Radio

Attorney General Pam Bondi directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty against the 26-year-old Ivy league graduate, who has been both condemned and celebrated for allegedly shooting an insurance executive.
The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case that tests whether South Carolina can remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.

The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case that tests whether South Carolina can remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Law

The Supreme Court will decide if states can strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds

At issue is whether a state, in this case, South Carolina, can remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.

Supreme Court to decide if states can strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds

Listen · 4:57
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5335626/nx-s1-5409989-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Aung San Suu Kyi (center left) holds hands with her son, Kim Aris (center right) in June 2011.

Aung San Suu Kyi (center left) holds hands with her son, Kim Aris (center right) in June 2011. Soe Than Win/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Soe Than Win/AFP via Getty Images

Interview highlights

The son of Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's ousted leader, speaks to NPR about her imprisonment

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Kim Aris about his mother's imprisonment and why he's advocating for her release.

Son of ousted Myanmar leader speaks to NPR about her imprisonment

Listen · 7:08
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5341751/nx-s1-5404328-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A lab manager in the molecular diagnostic lab prepares milk samples for testing at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 2024, amid increased concern over a strain of the H5N1 avian flu.

A lab manager in the molecular diagnostic lab prepares milk samples for testing at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., on Dec. 10, 2024, amid increased concern over a strain of the H5N1 avian flu. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Science

Top scientists warn that Trump policies are causing a 'climate of fear' in research

Some 2,000 scientists, including dozens of Nobel Prize winners, have signed an open letter warning that the U.S. lead in science is being "decimated" by the Trump administration's cuts to research.
Elon Musk.

Elon Musk. Marc Piasecki/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

Business

There are more billionaires than ever in Forbes' annual list. Here are the top 10

There are now more than 3,000 billionaires in the world, according to Forbes' annual ranking of the wealthiest people. They collectively hold about $16.1 trillion in wealth.

There are more billionaires than ever, according to Forbes’ latest list

Listen · 3:39
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5345950/nx-s1-5409134-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Cherry blossoms on a tree at the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland on March 27.

Cherry blossoms on a tree at the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland on March 27. Portland Japanese Garden hide caption

toggle caption
Portland Japanese Garden

National

3 places to see cherry blossoms that aren't Washington D.C.

You don't need to visit Japan or Washington, D.C. to see cherry blossom trees. Here are three places around the U.S. where you can see the blooms — weather permitting.

Where to see cherry blossom trees in the U.S.

Listen · 2:26
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5339812/nx-s1-5406447-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Referee Bill Vinovich (52) watches as the officiating crew takes a measurement during the second half of an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Starting next season, the NFL will move to a camera system to determine if a first down has been reached.

Referee Bill Vinovich (52) watches as the officiating crew takes a measurement during the second half of an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Starting next season, the NFL will move to a camera system to determine if a first down has been reached. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Sports

Say goodbye to chain crews: The NFL will use camera technology to measure 1st downs

Starting next season, a system of cameras will determine whether to award a first down rather than trot out a 10-yard chain. But humans will still decide where to spot the ball to begin with.
Hnoi Lathitham, 57, holds a bowl of Gang Liang in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, February 7, 2025. Hnoi, who has continuously adapted to a changing world, has been sharing the wonders of Thai food with people around the world in various professional capacities for over 30 years.

Hnoi Lathitham, 57, holds a bowl of Gang Liang in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, February 7, 2025. Hnoi, who has continuously adapted to a changing world, has been sharing the wonders of Thai food with people around the world in various professional capacities for over 30 years. Andre Malerba hide caption

toggle caption
Andre Malerba

Goats and Soda

Thyme for some healing soup recipes from around the world

Every culture has its own special soup. The belief is that a bowl will make you feel better if you're feeling under the weather, hung over or just in need of a pick-me-up.
Left: Playboi Carti's supersized blockbuster MUSIC holds at No. 1 on the album chart in its second week of release, but Morgan Wallen (right) breaks a record for songs.

Left: Playboi Carti's supersized blockbuster MUSIC holds at No. 1 on the album chart in its second week of release, but Morgan Wallen (right) breaks a record for songs. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images; John Shearer/Getty Images for Morgan Wallen's One Night At A Time 2024 hide caption

toggle caption
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images; John Shearer/Getty Images for Morgan Wallen's One Night At A Time 2024

Music

Playboi Carti and Kendrick Lamar top the charts, but Morgan Wallen looms

Playboi Carti's supersized blockbuster MUSIC holds at No. 1 in its second week of release. Elsewhere, Kendrick Lamar's "Luther (feat. SZA)" holds at No. 1and Morgan Wallen charts a fifth top 10 hit from an album that isn't even out yet.
more from