Transcript
Ryland Barton (0:00)
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Amazon says a problem with its cloud computing service that disrupted Internet use around the world today has been resolved. The incident was the latest reminder that the Internet is increasingly dependent on a handful of cloud computing companies. President Trump made a deal with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on rare earth elements today. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports. It includes investments to boost processing in Australia.
Franco Ordonez (0:29)
Speaking alongside the Australian prime minister at the White House, President Trump said the two sides had been negotiating for four or five months before reaching an agreement.
Julia Carnero (0:39)
In about a year from now, we'll have so much critical mineral and rare earths that you won't know what to do with them.
Franco Ordonez (0:45)
These rare earths are critical to the manufacture of countless modern products, from cars to semiconductors to all forms of electronics, including phones and laptops. China, one of the greatest sources of critical minerals and metals worldwide, this month added more restrictions on their exports. Australia, which is considered to have a healthy supply, is positioning itself as a viable alternative. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.
Ryland Barton (1:14)
America's nuclear weapons facilities are taking a hit from the government shutdown, as NPR's Jeff Brumfiel reports.
Franco Ordonez (1:20)
The National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nation's nuclear weapons, says it's furloughing approximately 14, 1,400 employees today. The agency is responsible for overseeing thousands of warheads that are not currently deployed on bombers, missiles and submarines. According to an Energy Department spokesperson, the furloughs are due to the, quote, Democrat shutdown. Around 400 employees remain on the job to provide security and safety oversight. And the office responsible for moving nuclear weapons around the country remains funded until next week. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.
Ryland Barton (1:55)
A new study shows that marijuana can help with chronic back pain. The German company that ran the study says it expects to get approval to market the drug, but NPR's Will Stone reports that won't be true in the.
Will Stone (2:06)
U.S. the findings come from a pair of major clinical trials on patients with low back pain, the leading cause of disability. The first showed that a blend of cannabis oil containing the psychoactive compound THC outperformed a placebo. The other compared it to opioids and showed cannabis had fewer GI side effects and provided better, better relief. The company tells NPR it's being required to repeat the studies in the US before seeking approval from regulators. Here. Richard Price, a spine surgeon at UC Davis, says many of his patients ask about using cannabis.