Trump warships; Venezuela; Heritage Basis : NPR

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Right this moment's high 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.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x4644+0+430/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F45%2Fbcb9a8ac481c81a4b96e3dcee02b%2Fgettyimages-2252580421.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8256x4644+0+430/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F45%2Fbcb9a8ac481c81a4b96e3dcee02b%2Fgettyimages-2252580421.jpg" class="img" alt="President Trump talks at a podium as he announces a new class of warship. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stands behind him on his left side. To the left of both of them is a mock image of the class of warship seen in front of the Statue of Liberty." loading="lazy"/> 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 through Getty Photographs conceal caption

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Andrew Canallero-Reynolds/AFP through 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 selected 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 targeted on these particulars throughout his speech, Lawrence stated. A federal choose has dominated that the deportations of over 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador had 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 possible enchantment the choice, attorneys for the Venezuelans argue the ruling makes it clear that the federal government can't 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 retailers in regards to the poor vitamin, unsanitary circumstances and sexual abuse they skilled whereas imprisoned. Greater than a dozen employees members are leaving Heritage Basis, the influential conservative suppose tank behind Venture 2025. The previous employees are becoming a member of a gaggle that former Vice President Mike Pence based. This marks a division throughout the Republican Social gathering as it really works to find out who ought to symbolize 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 develop 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 help for conventional ideas, equivalent to free commerce and a much less isolationist overseas coverage. In the meantime, Heritage Basis stays a big and influential group.

Life recommendation <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1881x1058+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Ff9%2F3c04d5734cdfadb0bdd2c974711e%2Flk-social-anxiety-comic-promo-shay-mirk-panel-3-copy.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/1881x1058+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2Ff9%2F3c04d5734cdfadb0bdd2c974711e%2Flk-social-anxiety-comic-promo-shay-mirk-panel-3-copy.jpg" class="img" alt="LK_social anxiety comic_promo_shay mirk_Panel 3" loading="lazy"/>

Socializing could make you are feeling awkward, however avoiding awkwardness can hinder your capacity to have enjoyable and make connections this vacation season. Psychologists Ali Mattu and Fallon Goodman shared suggestions with Life Package on tips on how to stage up your small speak sport and observe social braveness. So, earlier than you bail in your neighborhood potluck or workplace social gathering, try this comedian showcasing their recommendation.

💬 Begin constructing a every day routine of low-stakes socializing, like speaking to a cashier, classmate or coworker.💬 Strive setting small objectives like speaking to at least one individual or asking two questions. It's also possible to create an escape plan and provides your self an exit technique to go away if you actually need to.💬 Put your cellphone away. our screens could be a security conduct that retains us from connecting with others. For extra on tips on how to work together with your social anxiousness, hearken to this episode of NPR's Life Package. Subscribe to the Life Package e-newsletter for skilled recommendation on love, cash, relationships and extra.

Image present <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2671x1503+352+521/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe7%2F11%2Faba6ac2341a1bfebf7242368c183%2Fandtheywalkon-9781250821980-in-12-13.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2671x1503+352+521/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe7%2F11%2Faba6ac2341a1bfebf7242368c183%2Fandtheywalkon-9781250821980-in-12-13.jpg" class="img" alt="AndTheyWalkOn_9781250821980_IN_12-13.jpg" loading="lazy"/>

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 youngsters' e book, And They Stroll On, which Rafael López illustrates. The e book follows a little bit boy whose grandmother has died. The kid then wonders the place somebody goes after 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 grow to be brighter and extra vivid. See how the e book's illustrations use coloration to inform a narrative. It's also possible to hearken to Maillard and López focus on the artistic choices they made or learn the transcript right here.

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x3375+0+313/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2Fc0%2F40dba69a46d6b4d95119bbf49a52%2F20251209-atxvinyl-25-1.JPG" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x3375+0+313/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2Fc0%2F40dba69a46d6b4d95119bbf49a52%2F20251209-atxvinyl-25-1.JPG" class="img" alt="Dr. Tyler Jorgensen, a palliative care doctor at Dell Seton Medical Center, beings to play a Charlie Brown Christmas album in an office on December 9, 2025. Ferguson said this album is popular due to the lack of lyrics, which makes for easier listening." loading="lazy"/> Dr. Tyler Jorgensen units "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on a file participant at Dell Seton Medical Heart in Austin Texas. He makes use of vinyl data as a type of music remedy for palliative care sufferers. Lorianne Willett/KUT Information conceal caption

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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 elevate heavy moments for households.Kansas lawmakers authorised a serious tax incentives bundle yesterday, serving to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs construct a brand new $3 billion domed stadium within the state and transfer the group from Missouri. (through KCUR)Trump lately embraced kei automobiles, tiny autos well-liked in Asia that stay uncommon within the U.S. Kei automobile fans are delighted by the endorsement, however they doubt that a lot will change, because the autos fail to fulfill particular U.S. security necessities.