D.C. residents’ crackdown issues; Ford’s EVs plan : NPR

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At the moment’s prime tales

In a press convention yesterday, President Trump vowed to make use of the Nationwide Guard and the Metropolitan Police Division to focus on criminals in Washington, D.C., regardless of violent crime within the metropolis being at a 30-year low. However criminals aren’t his solely goal: He is additionally known as for a purge of individuals with out housing from the nation’s capital.

• 🎧 The folks the president describes as criminals on this case are sometimes youngsters, lots of them Black, NPR’s Brian Mann tells Up First. The president lumped criminals and unhoused folks collectively, expressing how they have to be compelled out of Washington. Will, who lives in a homeless camp in Washington, tells Mann that the one factor his neighborhood asks for is a good job and housing, however they can not get that. Mann says he requested NPR to solely use his first identify as a result of he fears authorities will punish him for sleeping on the road. May also requested the place folks like him are imagined to go — a query Trump hasn’t answered but.

Trump says he plans to carry a cellphone name with European leaders, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with talks tentatively set for tomorrow. This comes forward of Trump and Russian chief Vladimir Putin’s deliberate summit on Friday to barter an finish to the conflict in Ukraine. Will probably be the primary time Putin has met with a U.S. president since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine greater than three years in the past. European allies are involved that with out Ukraine’s presence on the summit, Trump might conform to far-reaching concessions. Here is what’s at stake.

• 🎧 The European allies are more likely to categorical to Trump that they have to be concerned in ceasefire talks as a result of lasting peace in Ukraine would contain their assets, NPR’s Rob Schmitz says. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen and different European leaders wrote a joint assertion over the weekend saying there could be no peace that rewards Russia’s aggressive actions. Schmitz says the assertion refers back to the one-on-one assembly between Trump and Putin normally, as that in itself looks like a reward. The European leaders are additionally speaking about Trump’s feedback main as much as this assembly about how a path to peace would require Ukraine to surrender territory to Russia.

Ford Motor Firm executives introduced yesterday that they plan to retool the Louisville Meeting Plant in Kentucky to supply extra reasonably priced electrical automobiles as a substitute of Ford Escapes. Ford is investing billions in EVs, marking the primary time the corporate has guess large on these automobiles. The corporate is constructing its proposal round a midsize pickup truck with a goal worth of $30,000. That is a minimum of $20,000 cheaper than most different electrical vehicles. Ford CEO Jim Farley known as the truck a brand new “Mannequin T” second for the manufacturing unit.

• 🎧 Ford has been making an attempt to crack into the EV marketplace for years, in keeping with NPR’s Camila Domonoske. Executives are enthusiastic about extra than simply the local weather, she says. They need to be extra globally aggressive. Chinese language automakers are producing low cost, high-quality EVs that promote properly around the globe. Farley has mentioned for years it is an “existential menace” if firms like his, which additionally promote automobiles globally, can’t sustain.

Deep dive

A full tremendous moon, rises behind a mountain within the village of Dodekametro, within the area of Arcadia in Greece, on July 10, 2025.

Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP by way of Getty Photos

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Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP by way of Getty Photos

The Trump administration is dashing up plans to put a nuclear reactor on the moon to energy a base for people. In accordance with a directive by appearing NASA Administrator Sean Duffy despatched to NASA officers in July, the reactor is slated to launch to the moon by 2030. The plan aligns with the USA’ purpose of returning astronauts to the moon, particularly as China and Russia additionally purpose to make use of nuclear energy on the moon by the tip of the last decade. Here is what to know in regards to the plan.

• 🌕 On the moon, reactors should dissipate extra warmth instantly into area as a result of there is no water or environment. Giant radiators could possibly be used to handle the warmth.
• 🌕 The principle concern is getting the reactor to the moon and what occurs to it as soon as it reaches the tip of its lifespan, in keeping with Kathryn Huff, professor of nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering on the College of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• 🌕 A latest Institute for House Science and Growth report estimates the reactor mission would price round $3 billion over 5 years to develop.
• 🌕 Duffy says if China or Russia reaches the moon first, both nation might “declare a keep-out zone,” which might hinder the U.S. from establishing a presence there.

Life recommendation

So long as you are shut sufficient with somebody that you just’d really feel comfy internet hosting them, you should not really feel sheepish about asking to stick with them once you’re passing via their city, says etiquette professional Elaine Swann.

wanderluster/Getty Photos

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wanderluster/Getty Photos

Whether or not you’re sofa browsing at a good friend’s or taking the children to go to their aunt, it is vital to verify your presence in another person’s dwelling looks like a present relatively than a burden. Being a thoughtful visitor begins with respecting the opposite particular person’s area, no matter how comfy you’re feeling with them. Etiquette professional Elaine Swann shares recommendation with Life Package about how you can be a star visitor.

• 🏠 Do not feel sheepish about asking to remain at an individual’s dwelling when you find yourself passing via city, should you would additionally lengthen the identical courtesy.
• 🏠 An extended weekend-style go to — usually 4 days and three nights — is an effective candy spot for staying with others. The timing could possibly be adjusted for longer events like holidays.
• 🏠 When the host says you may make your self at dwelling, it indicators you can fend for your self. This implies you need not ask for a drink of water. Nonetheless, you must tidy up after your self and might even supply to assist with chores.

For extra steering on being a superb houseguest, take heed to this episode of NPR’s Life Package. Subscribe to the Life Package publication for professional recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Sheila Jordan

Michael Stewart

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Michael Stewart

Sheila Jordan

Michael Stewart

1. Sheila Jordan, a largely underappreciated voice in jazz, died yesterday on the age of 96. She recorded the beloved Nineteen Sixties vocal jazz album, Portrait of Sheila.
2. Boston Public Library is launching a mission with OpenAI and Harvard Legislation College to enhance the metadata of its trove of traditionally vital authorities paperwork. This may permit customers to go looking and cross-reference the texts from anyplace on this planet.
3. Nathan Kesti walks 10-12 miles most days as a road outreach employee for the group Downtown Duluth in Minnesota. His purpose is to examine in on folks residing on the road with the purpose of getting them into housing or remedy. (by way of MPR)

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.