Trump on the economic system; Fed Reserve; Afghan fighters : NPR

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At present's high tales Final evening in Pennsylvania, President Trump knowledgeable a rally crowd that making America inexpensive once more is his highest precedence. He insisted that costs are coming down and introduced some individuals on stage who stand to learn from the tax cuts he signed into legislation earlier this 12 months.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4894x2753+0+584/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F48%2F77%2F6b4d5977463ebc09f82c606190ba%2Fgettyimages-2250382408.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4894x2753+0+584/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F48%2F77%2F6b4d5977463ebc09f82c606190ba%2Fgettyimages-2250382408.jpg" class="img" alt="President Trump arrives to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pa. He stands next to an American flag and attendees in the stands who point and snap photos of him." loading="lazy"/> President Trump arrives to ship remarks on the economic system at Mount Ethereal On line casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP through Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP through Getty Pictures 🎧 The president's 90-minute speech included no new insurance policies, NPR's Tamara Keith instructed Up First. He stated he inherited a large number when he took workplace, which Keith says, in different phrases, means "do not blame me." Trump stated issues are already getting cheaper, together with gasoline. Based on GasBuddy, costs are down about 8 cents per gallon on common in comparison with a 12 months in the past. Keith says this isn't sufficient to compensate for different excessive shopper prices, similar to utility payments and well being care. The Federal Reserve is predicted to decrease its benchmark rate of interest by 1 / 4 proportion level in the present day to assist a weakening job market. However the path to that call could possibly be bumpy, as policymakers are divided over whether or not cussed inflation ought to take priority. The choice can be difficult as a result of a six-week shutdown has delayed information.

🎧 It isn't unusual for the Fed to have some disagreement, however it's uncommon to have lots, and particularly to not see eye-to-eye in each instructions, based on NPR's Scott Horsley. The final Fed assembly noticed two dissents: One member thought the Fed reduce charges too aggressively, whereas one other believed the Fed wasn't shifting quick sufficient. The Fed hasn't seen three dissents in six years, and 4 have not occurred in 33 years. Horsley says it's attainable that many could possibly be seen in the present day. A neighborhood of Afghan troopers who fought the Taliban for the CIA now feels the company has deserted them. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, one member of that neighborhood, is the person authorities accuse of taking pictures two Nationwide Guard troops final month. NPR spoke to individuals concerned with these "Zero Models" and discovered that some have struggled with psychological and emotional misery. At the least 4 troopers have taken their very own lives.

🎧 Zero Unit fighters say that after years on the frontline doing fight service, they anticipated respect within the U.S. and an opportunity to start out new lives. As a substitute, they discovered themselves tangled in a sophisticated immigration course of, NPR's Brian Mann says. Davud, a Zero Unit fighter, agreed to talk with NPR provided that he solely used his first title, as a result of he feared for his household's security in Afghanistan. Davud instructed Mann that when Zero Unit fighters within the U.S. attain out to the CIA for assist, they typically get no response. Whereas these fighters face uncertainty, Trump has prompt that lots of them might not be allowed to remain within the U.S.

Dwelling higher <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1688+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F82%2Ff14620544049911c675bd374c09c%2Fgettyimages-1070607646.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1688+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F82%2Ff14620544049911c675bd374c09c%2Fgettyimages-1070607646.jpg" class="img" alt="Research shows our ability to tolerate alcohol wanes with age, because of changes in metabolism." loading="lazy"/> Analysis exhibits our capability to tolerate alcohol wanes with age, due to modifications in metabolism. Cappi Thompson/Second RF/Getty Pictures conceal caption

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Cappi Thompson/Second RF/Getty Pictures Dwelling Higher is a particular collection about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.

The vacation season typically brings extra events, and consequently, extra alternatives to take pleasure in a drink or two. Should you've discovered {that a} single drink appears to have an effect on you greater than it as soon as did, there is a scientific rationalization for this modification.

🍸 The liver enzymes that break down alcohol grow to be much less environment friendly with age, based on research.🍸 We lose extra muscle as we age. Muscle shops water, which helps to dilute the alcohol in our blood.🍸 For ladies experiencing perimenopause, alcohol can worsen signs related to hormonal fluctuations, similar to temper swings and irritability.🍸 The dangers of alcohol, similar to liver illness and worsened hypertension, enhance with age, which is why chopping again may be a good suggestion. Image present <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2421x1362+0+547/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2f%2Ff1%2F3bd6489248a79818a5d4bc82c719%2Fkasinger1126-dsc-1156-1.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2421x1362+0+547/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2f%2Ff1%2F3bd6489248a79818a5d4bc82c719%2Fkasinger1126-dsc-1156-1.jpg" class="img" alt="Arlene Wagner founded the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum in 1995 with her late husband, George Wagner. It now holds the largest collection of nutcrackers in the U.S. She is pictured holding a figurine called The Nutcracker Lady, which was designed in her image by a German craft maker." loading="lazy"/> Arlene Wagner based the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum in 1995 together with her late husband, George Wagner. It now holds the most important assortment of nutcrackers within the U.S. She is pictured holding a figurine referred to as The Nutcracker Girl, which was designed in her picture by a German craft maker. Chona Kasinger for NPR conceal caption

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Chona Kasinger for NPR Arlene Wagner has spent practically 50 years amassing the nation's largest nutcracker assortment, which is displayed on the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum in Washington. The museum options over 9,000 handcrafted nutcrackers from 50 nations, spanning two millennia, with one impressively relationship again to 200 A.D. Wagner just lately turned 101, and is usually seen in her pearl necklace and conventional German dirndl costume, greeting guests whereas perched on a stool on the museum's entrance. As soon as inside, individuals are in a position to absorb the riot of colours and the floor-to-ceiling, custom-made show circumstances that Wagner meticulously curated. Step contained in the museum with these charming photos.

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1688+0+163/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F87%2F39%2Fbbc8635c41d39009f62bae765b3e%2F20251205-krampus-noche-7037.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x1688+0+163/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F87%2F39%2Fbbc8635c41d39009f62bae765b3e%2F20251205-krampus-noche-7037.jpg" class="img" alt="People dressed in creepy costumes and masks walk in a procession. The person in front is wearing a red hood and carrying a staff with a bell, and the next person in line is wearing a green monstrous mask with a wide, toothy smile." loading="lazy"/> Contributors march in the course of the Portland Krampuslauf alongside in Portland, Ore. on December 5, 2025. Celeste Noche for NPR conceal caption

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Celeste Noche for NPR Santa handles the good checklist, however his counterpart, Krampus, scares naughty kids into behaving. The terrifying European monster carries a whipping stick as an alternative of toys, and but individuals appear to love him. Check out these photographs of individuals collaborating within the custom.Raul Malo, chief of the nation band The Mavericks and one among roots music's most recognizable voices, died Monday evening, a band consultant introduced. He was 60 years previous.Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Mo., closed in September. Now, the founder's granddaughter is discovering new houses for the three,000-piece human hair wreath assortment. (through KCUR)