Up First briefing: Vance at Iran peace talks; Artemis II; FEMA funds : NPR

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At present's high tales Vice President Vance will head a U.S. delegation for peace talks with Iran in Pakistan this weekend. Negotiators will meet within the nation's capital of Islamabad for essential talks aimed toward ending the continuing battle involving the U.S., Israel and Iran. This can be a vital second for Vance, who has beforehand made statements about conserving the U.S. out of overseas wars. He faces the problem of bringing collectively two international locations which have been enemies for practically 50 years.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5961x3353+0+310/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2F40%2F2ae0f20e4b1eb3ffa02bfbb213a8%2Fgettyimages-2269829343.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5961x3353+0+310/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F54%2F40%2F2ae0f20e4b1eb3ffa02bfbb213a8%2Fgettyimages-2269829343.jpg" class="img" alt="Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media before boarding Air Force Two to return to Washington, D.C. from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport." loading="lazy"/> Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media earlier than boarding Air Power Two to return to Washington, D.C. from Budapest Ferenc Liszt Worldwide Airport on April 8, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary. Pool/Getty Photographs conceal caption

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Pool/Getty Photographs 🎧 NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben tells Up First there's some logic to Vance enjoying a job in making an attempt to finish this battle, particularly if he needs to run for president in 2028. A serious goal for the talks is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The essential waterway does not look like absolutely open even after the ceasefire, and it is unclear the place issues stand, Kurtzleben says.🎧 Because the U.S. and Iran put together to barter a peace deal, the two-day-old ceasefire is exhibiting indicators of stress. Iran's International Ministry says it will not participate within the general talks on Saturday except Lebanon is included within the ceasefire. Israel says its offensive in opposition to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon isn't a part of the deal. Beneath strain from President Trump and different leaders, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he plans to enter into direct talks with Lebanon. Talks between Israel and Lebanon will happen on the ambassador degree in Washington. NPR's Carrie Kahn says this can be a big deal as a result of the 2 international locations have by no means had negotiations like this earlier than.➡️ When Congress returns from recess subsequent week, the GOP will face a high-stakes battle over struggle funding.➡️ For the reason that begin of the struggle, governments have blocked the web, banned social media posts and lower entry to industrial satellite tv for pc imagery. Specialists inform NPR that their efforts to censor info have produced blended outcomes.

The 4 astronauts of the Artemis II crew are set to return to Earth as we speak after their mission across the moon. The Orion area capsule is about to enter the ambiance at 7:53 p.m. ET, simply southeast of Hawaii. About 13 minutes later, it ought to splash down within the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. To achieve this level, the spacecraft will enter Earth's ambiance at about 25,000 miles per hour, enduring searing temperatures as much as 5,000 levels Fahrenheit.

🎧 Getting back from area at all times holds a danger, Brendan Byrne of Central Florida Public Media says. The warmth defend, a significant piece of kit situated beneath the capsule, protects the crew from excessive temperatures throughout reentry. NASA examined it throughout the earlier uncrewed Artemis I mission and located that the warmth defend wasn't performing as designed. To mitigate the chance, Byrne says NASA and the spacecraft's crew discovered an answer: Hit the ambiance steeper and sooner.➡️ Even a short while away from Earth can considerably weaken muscular tissues and bones, as a result of the skeleton is not beneath the fixed pull of gravity. To fight this, astronauts use a flywheel for power and cardio exercises. First girl Melania Trump delivered a uncommon public assertion yesterday denying that she had any shut ties to the late convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein. In her speech, she mentioned she isn't considered one of Epstein's victims, and he didn't introduce her to her husband, President Trump. The primary girl's assertion got here after her title surfaced within the newest batch of Epstein information launched on the finish of January. She additionally urged Congress to take motion and maintain public hearings to permit Epstein's victims to testify.

Tons of of communities throughout the U.S. are awaiting catastrophe funding from the Federal Emergency Administration Company. In response to inside company paperwork obtained by NPR, FEMA owes communities practically $10 billion. A lot of this funding would reimburse native governments for infrastructure repairs they've already made following main disasters. Emergency managers from a number of states say the funding backlog is having a ripple impact in communities, straining native budgets and delaying or probably derailing catastrophe tasks which have taken years to plan.

Life recommendation <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3840x2160+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F46%2F42%2F920a120747a8a0121df68f3f5bf8%2Fhchl-5-leadart.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3840x2160+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F46%2F42%2F920a120747a8a0121df68f3f5bf8%2Fhchl-5-leadart.jpg" class="img" alt="HCHL_5_Sketch_2" loading="lazy"/>

Oona Zenda/KFF Well being Information When enhanced federal subsidies expired on the finish of final 12 months, many individuals shopping for medical insurance on state and federal exchanges noticed their anticipated month-to-month premiums soar. To maintain prices down, many switched to a high-deductible well being plan. These plans provide decrease month-to-month funds, however sufferers could face steep out-of-pocket prices once they want care. To arrange for 1000's in up-front prices, a well being financial savings account might be a great possibility for you. Here is get essentially the most out of your plan and HSA:

➡️ Should you're enrolled in a bronze or catastrophic plan, you possibly can seemingly open an HSA. This account permits you to contribute pretax cash that grows tax-free, making a medical piggy financial institution for your self. You should utilize these funds to cowl certified medical bills.➡️ Preventive care is necessary, and all market plans should cowl sure in-network preventive providers without charge. Understanding the prices of various providers helps you select the precise medical appointment to your well being wants and funds.➡️ Some hospitals, clinics and different suppliers provide decrease costs for money funds. You've gotten the precise to request an itemized estimate of out-of-pocket prices. Examine this value with what your insurance coverage firm would cost should you used it. Weekend picks <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%2Ff4%2Ff2%2F979157d84c7abd2646c88da67a11%2Fspring-tv-composite.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%2Ff4%2Ff2%2F979157d84c7abd2646c88da67a11%2Fspring-tv-composite.jpg" class="img" alt="From left, Zendaya and Jean Smart star in new seasons of acclaimed series. Chase Infiniti leads Hulu’s The Testaments, a spinoff of The Handmaid’s Tale." loading="lazy"/> From left, Zendaya and Jean Good star in new seasons of acclaimed sequence. Chase Infiniti leads Hulu's The Testaments, a derivative of The Handmaid's Story. Patrick Wymore/HBO; HBO Max; Steve Wilkie/Disney conceal caption

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Patrick Wymore/HBO; HBO Max; Steve Wilkie/Disney Try what NPR is watching, studying and listening to this weekend:

🍿 Films: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a storybook couple making ready for his or her wedding ceremony at the hours of darkness and twisty comedy The Drama. Simply days earlier than the massive day, she reveals a horrifying fact about her previous that threatens their nuptials.

📺 TV: A wave of buzzy new sequence and some large finales arrive this spring, from the dystopian drama and Handmaid's Story spinoff, The Testaments, to Silicon Valley satire The Audacity.

📚 Books: NPR is spotlighting 11 new books releasing this month. The choices do not precisely radiate escapist good vibes, however they provide the prospect to step into another person's life and get to know their perspective on our shared world, NPR freelance author Colin Dwyer says.

🎵 Music: Singer-songwriter Sarah Kinsley dives right into a extra direct and weak strategy on her new EP, Fleeting. She discusses the shift in fashion on World Cafe.

❓Quiz: This quiz has somewhat of all the things, from questions on politics to at least one a couple of twist in a film that simply hit theaters. Trace: this text's subsequent part will allow you to with one query.

3 issues to know earlier than you go <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4854x2730+0+506/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2Fd3%2Fb80475a34ff0bfd4e482f01eeee4%2Fgettyimages-2270271494.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4854x2730+0+506/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F29%2Fd3%2Fb80475a34ff0bfd4e482f01eeee4%2Fgettyimages-2270271494.jpg" class="img" alt="Concessions stand sandwiches range from $1.50 to $3.00 at the Masters this year." loading="lazy"/> Concessions stand sandwiches vary from $1.50 to $3.00 on the Masters this 12 months. Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs conceal caption

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Andrew Redington/Getty Photographs It is not even tee time but, and the Masters has gone viral. Patrons seen that concession costs have remained low for many years regardless of inflation. A pimento cheese sandwich prices $1.50, a value it has held since 2002.Girls within the U.S. gave delivery to roughly 710,000 fewer kids final 12 months than on the nation's peak in 2007, in accordance with preliminary information from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.A number of years in the past, John's daughter Keane skilled unusual medical signs. Whereas John supported his youngster with the undiagnosed dysfunction, an older man who encountered them outdoors praised them, saying he was an incredible dad and the younger woman was doing superb. John says the unsung hero's phrases modified their lives. This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.