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Anamaria Cochlita
Materials scientist Anamaria Cochlita is creating tech that replicates skin and simulates touch.
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A prosthetic hand would feel if the patient is holding a hot cup or a cold bottle of beer.
Anamaria Cochlita
Ideas about our skin and how we use it to interact with the world. That's on NPR's TED Radio Hour. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is deploying National GR Guard troops in the nation's capital this week as part of a federal crackdown on crime. Critics are questioning the stepped up presence around Washington, D.C. 's iconic monuments, including the National Mall and Lincoln Memorial. As NPR's Tom Bowman reports, they point out that those symbolic sites are far removed from neighborhoods where residents say actual crime is occurring.
Tom Bowman
Incidents of violent crime in the nation's capital have dropped sharply in the past two years, but most crimes are not committed around the national monuments. They're being committed in the neighborhoods or along the busy commercial streets. I spoke with two retired National Guard generals who suggested that having Guard troops only at the monuments is really more performative, a public relations move.
Windsor Johnston
That's NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. A growing wave of protests against the war in Gaza has swept Israel in recent weeks. NPR's Itai Stern reports. Hundreds of retired Israeli Air Force pilots rallied in Tel Aviv last night to call for an end to the war and the return of hostages.
Itai Stern
Among the demonstrators was former chief of staff of the military Dan Khalutz. He's also a fighter pilot and former head of Israel's air force. He told the crowd Hamas no longer possesses significant threat to Israel, saying the Gaza Strip is devastated both its infrastructure and its people. There is no army there. The last remaining Hamas members are hiding. Khalutz also warned against political pressure that could push the Israeli army into actions of questionable legality, if not worse, adding, the war in Gaza is eroding our morality and our values both as human beings and as Jews. A recent poll showed 70% of Israelis support ending the war now. Itay Stern, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Windsor Johnston
Scientists say they've discovered 2.6 million year old teeth of a previously unknown human cousin. NPR's Nate Rott reports. It's further evidence that human evolution was a complicated process.
Nate Rott
We've all seen the T shirts or memes of a series of apes standing up straighter and straighter and morphing into modern coffee drinking man and woman. Anthropologists, though, have long known that human evolution was not a linear process. And the new findings published in the journal Nature, adds another piece to the puzzle. The teeth, the researchers believe, belong to a new species of Australopithecus, an upright walking ape like species that coexist early human ancestors in East Africa. The discovery provides more evidence, researchers say, that human evolution was similar to that of other species, with many branches and dead ends. Nate Rott, NPR News.
Windsor Johnston
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Tropical Storm Ehring continues to gain strength in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to be a Category 3 hurricane by the weekend. The National Hurricane center says the storm is on track to pass just north of St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm will probably take a path that misses the Bahamas and the United States. YouTube is rolling out an age verification system in the U.S. it uses artificial intelligence to guess if a user is underage. NPR's John Ruich reports. Social media sites are facing increasing pressure to protect kids from inappropriate content.
John Ruich
YouTube says it'll use AI to assess a variety of signals, including account activity and longevity, to figure out if a signed in user is a minor. If an account is determined to belong to someone who's under 18, it says standard protections for minors will be automatically applied. Those include showing only non personalized ads and enabling well being tools like reminders to take a break or go to bed. Users who think the AI model got it wrong can verify their true age with a photo ID or credit card. YouTube says its age inference approach has been used in other markets and it's worked well, some critics say, though it raises privacy concerns. John Ruich, NPR News.
Windsor Johnston
Venus Williams will return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open. At the age of 45, she received a wild card invite to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows. Williams has won seven major singles championships, including at the U.S. open in 2000 and 2001. This is NPR News.
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NPR News: August 13, 2025, 6 PM EDT – Detailed Summary
On August 13, 2025, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update covering a spectrum of critical topics, ranging from national security measures and international conflicts to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and significant cultural events. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the episode.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
Correspondent: Tom Bowman
President Trump announced the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of a federal initiative to intensify the crackdown on crime within the nation's capital. This strategic move has sparked debate among critics who argue that the increased military presence is disproportionately focused on symbolic locations rather than areas where crime rates remain persistently high.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"Incidents of violent crime in the nation's capital have dropped sharply in the past two years, but most crimes are not committed around the national monuments. They're being committed in the neighborhoods or along the busy commercial streets."
— Tom Bowman, NPR (00:56)
Conclusion: The deployment has raised questions about the efficacy and intent behind the federal crackdown, suggesting a possible disconnect between symbolic gestures and practical crime-fighting measures.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
Correspondent: Itai Stern
Israel is witnessing a surge of protests against the ongoing war in Gaza, reflecting a significant shift in public opinion. Hundreds of retired Israeli Air Force pilots, including prominent military figures, have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the safe return of hostages.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"The war in Gaza is eroding our morality and our values both as human beings and as Jews."
— Dan Khalutz, Former Chief of Staff, Israeli Air Force (01:37)
Conclusion: The protests signify a critical juncture in Israeli public sentiment, with a substantial majority advocating for peace and a reevaluation of military strategies in Gaza.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
Correspondent: Nate Rott
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have unearthed 2.6-million-year-old teeth that are believed to belong to a previously unknown human cousin. This finding adds complexity to our understanding of human evolution, underscoring the non-linear progression of our ancestral lineage.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"Human evolution was similar to that of other species, with many branches and dead ends."
— Nate Rott, NPR (02:39)
Conclusion: This archaeological milestone enriches our comprehension of the diverse and intricate pathways that have shaped human ancestry, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of evolutionary history.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
Update: National Hurricane Center
Tropical Storm Ehring continues its intensification in the Atlantic Ocean, with forecasts predicting its escalation to a Category 3 hurricane by the upcoming weekend. The storm's projected path includes passing just north of St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, with a likelihood of sparing the Bahamas and the United States.
Key Points:
Conclusion: Residents in the projected path of Hurricane Ehring are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories as the storm approaches critical thresholds of strength.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
Correspondent: John Ruich
In response to growing concerns over children's exposure to inappropriate content on social media, YouTube is implementing an AI-driven age verification system across the United States. This initiative aims to enhance the platform's ability to protect underage users through sophisticated technological measures.
Key Points:
Notable Quote:
"YouTube says its age inference approach has been used in other markets and it's worked well, some critics say, though it raises privacy concerns."
— John Ruich, NPR (04:03)
Conclusion: The introduction of AI-based age verification reflects YouTube's commitment to safeguarding younger audiences, though it simultaneously ignites a debate over privacy and data security.
Reporter: Windsor Johnston
In a remarkable display of longevity and passion for the sport, tennis legend Venus Williams is set to return to Grand Slam competition at the US Open. At 45 years old, Williams has been granted a wild card entry to compete in the singles category at Flushing Meadows.
Key Points:
Conclusion: Venus Williams' return to the US Open exemplifies her exceptional athleticism and serves as an inspiring narrative of sustained excellence in sports.
The August 13 episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a thorough overview of pressing national and international issues, significant scientific advancements, and noteworthy cultural events. From the strategic deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., and public outcry against military actions in Gaza, to the unearthing of a new chapter in human evolution and Venus Williams' triumphant return to tennis, the episode encapsulated a diverse array of stories that reflect the multifaceted nature of contemporary news.