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Who should win the Oscar for the best original song this year. On the latest All Songs Considered from NPR Music, we rank the nominees.
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I think Diane Warren should have won two Academy Awards. The problem is very often the lyrics are not much more insightful than you would find on the nearest throw pillow.
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Hear the NPR Music podcast on the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts.
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Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Officials say Iranian boats appear to have attacked two fuel tankers, setting them on fire in Iraqi waters. More than a dozen vessels have come under attack since the war began a week and a half ago. The attacks have brought shipping to a virtual standstill in roiled energy markets. Here's NPR's Jackie Northam.
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Maritime monitoring agencies say fire broke out in the engine room of a Thai flag cargo ship after it was struck off the coast of Oman. Iran has claimed responsibility. Two other ships flying Greek and Japanese flags were also hit. U.S. central Command says it attacked Iranian minelaying vessels around the Strait of Hormuz, although it's unclear whether Iran has laid mines in the narrow waterway. Iran has warned vessels need permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Hundreds of oil tankers around the strait are idled because of the risk sending the price of oil skyrocketing. President Trump promised to send naval escorts, but that hasn't happened yet. Jackie Northam, NPR News.
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The UN Security Council is condemning Iran for launching missiles and drones at Gulf Arab countries. Current councilmember Bahrain drafted the resolution, which won broad support. As NPR's Michelle Keleman reports, Bahrain's Ambassador
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Jamal Al Awrawai says he drafted the resolution to pressure Iran to halt attacks that are affecting trade and maritime routes.
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We have repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy, but this, too, cannot be achieved under the barrage of missiles and drones.
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135 Nations Co sponsored the resolution, which passed in a 130 vote in the Security Council. Russia and China abstained because the resolution did not criticize Israel and the United States for launching the war. Russia called the resolution extremely unbalanced. Iran says it's targeting US Military bases in the region. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News.
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The State Department to Atlanta now, where the ACLU is asking the Department of Homeland Security to stop detaining immigrants and holding cells in the basement of an Atlanta Immigration and Customs field office for more time than legally allowed. From member station WABE in Atlanta, Emily Wu Pearson reports.
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The field office in downtown Atlanta is designed to temporarily house immigrants between transfers. In a letter to dhs, the ACLU asks the agencies to follow the ICE policy that states holding facilities should not house people for more than 12 hours. Data from the nonprofit Deportation Data project shows since January 2025, immigrants have sometimes been detained in the facility for months, and attorneys say their clients have experienced unsanitary conditions and not received enough food while detained there. DHS and ICE did not return emails requesting comment. For NPR News, I'm Emily Wu Pearson in Atlanta.
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This is NPR News. Congressional investigators have heard from the longtime accountant for the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House Oversight Committee deposed Richard Kahn behind closed doors Wednesday as lawmakers seek a fuller picture of Epstein's financial portfolio. Kahn worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate. Washington state is on its way to having its first income tax. Lawmakers Wednesday officially signed off on a proposed tax on high earners called a millionaires tax. Member station's KUOW and KNKX reporter Sarah Mises Tan has more from Olympia.
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A bill that would levy a 9.9% tax on all household incomes over a million dollars has passed its final legislative hurdle and is now on its way to the governor's desk. The tax is predicted to generate over $3 billion annually from the state's highest earners. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Peterson, who shepherded the tax through the Legislature, says the money is desperately needed to support programs like childcare and education.
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We're on our way toward reforming a tax system that for 93 years has punished poor and working people and has not asked enough of our wealthiest and most successful.
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The new tax would go into effect in 2029, but court challenges and a potential ballot initiative to repeal it are expected in the coming months. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Mises Tan in Olympia.
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Stock markets in Asia down across the board as oil prices rise following reports of Iranian attacks on more ships in the Gulf. Japan's benchmark Nikkei down 1.4%. This is NPR News.
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This message comes from Capella University. That spark you feel that's your drive for more. Capella University's flexpath learning format lets you earn your degree at your pace without putting life on pause. Learn more at Capella. Eduardo.
Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: ~5 minutes
Episode Theme:
This episode covers breaking international and domestic news with a focus on rising tensions in the Middle East, U.S. policy responses, a significant development in U.S. tax law, and an update on the economy and immigration policy.
Summary:
This NPR News Now episode swiftly informs listeners of rapidly escalating conflict in the Gulf with significant global economic repercussions, highlights legislative and human rights developments domestically, and underlines persistent political divides on the world stage.