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Today’s best stories
Iranian officials are full of praise for the unprecedented retaliatory airstrikes launched by Iran against Israel this weekend – despite the fact that Israel and its allies intercepted 99% of the drones. Iran’s top lawmaker Mojtaba Zonnouri called the strikes a “victory,” according to the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency.
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, April 14.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
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Amir Cohen/Reuters
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, April 14.
Amir Cohen/Reuters
- NPR’s Peter Kenyon reports First that two recent incidents may have given Iran the feeling as if it needed a “show of force”: the US assassination of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 and the recent strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria, which killed senior Iranian officers. Meanwhile, Washington and world leaders are calling on Israel to show restraint as it considers its response to Iran’s missile and drone attack.
- Iranian strikes renewed pressure on Congress to act after months of delay on foreign aid. House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced three bills regarding funding for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. A fourth national security bill could lead to a ban on TikTok. NPR’s Deirdre Walsh says House Republicans are largely united on approving more aid to Israel, but are divided on Ukraine – with conservatives staunchly opposed to voting for more money.
The Supreme Court today hears arguments challenging a law used to prosecute hundreds of defendants accused of invading the Capitol on January 6. The justices will consider how this federal law defines obstruction or attempted obstruction of an official congressional proceeding. The outcome of the case could affect former President Donald Trump, since this law was used to indict him in his immunity case.
- A federal judge, in a Jan. 6 case, ruled that the law should only apply to the destruction of documents and archives, not to the events of January 6. If the Court decides that the storming of the Capitol does not constitute an obstruction of the proceedings of Congress. All cases involving this law would be halted, said NPR’s Nina Totenberg.
Supply of new bitcoins expected to be cut in half This week, an event some experts believe will increase the value of digital currency and increase its awareness and acceptance. The number of bitcoins that can exist is capped at 21 million. Halvings increase the time it takes for miners to reach this cap. Here’s everything you need to know about the consequences of this event.
We, the voters
Maura Umble and her son, Alex Patrick Umble.
Maura Umblé
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Maura Umblé
Maura Umble and her son, Alex Patrick Umble.
Maura Umblé
As a member of We, the voters series, NPR brings you stories all week about gun violence and its impact on communities.
When talking about gun violence in the United States, people often think of mass shootings, homicides, or domestic violence. But the majority of gun-related deaths in the United States are suicides. Paul Nestadt, one of the leading researchers on suicide, says that most people don’t know how widespread this phenomenon is because we aren’t as willing to talk about it — in the media or in our personal relationships.
- Maura Umble’s son shot himself to death in 2018. She says she is committed to talking about how her suicide affected her and her family, and she also wants to hold local government officials accountable for these conversations. Listen to his story on Morning editionor read it here.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifebuoy by dialing or texting 9-8-8.
Image exhibition
A man watches smoke rise next to the army’s general command in Khartoum, Sudan, April 16, 2023.
Faiz Abubakr for NPR
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Faiz Abubakr for NPR
A man watches smoke rise next to the army’s general command in Khartoum, Sudan, April 16, 2023.
Faiz Abubakr for NPR
Sudan marks anniversary of year-long conflict which displaced more than eight million people. Security observers and humanitarian groups say the war has killed at least 14,000 people. Many experts believe the true death toll is much higher.
- Faiz Abubakr, a Sudanese photographer based in Khartoum, documented how the war upended life in his country. See the photos here.
3 things to know before you leave
At the U.S. Olympic trials in Montgomery, Evy Leibfarth wins a spot to represent the United States in the women’s canoe slalom for the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.
Rolando Arrieta/NPR
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Rolando Arrieta/NPR
At the U.S. Olympic trials in Montgomery, Evy Leibfarth wins a spot to represent the United States in the women’s canoe slalom for the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer.
Rolando Arrieta/NPR
- Alabama hosted its first-ever Olympic event this weekend for the little-known sport of canoe and kayak slalom. Montgomery officials hope the Olympics-sanctioned event will revitalize the city’s economy and position it as a sports tourism destination.
- Women’s college basketball stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese selected in the first round of the WNBA draft last night. Clark will play for the Indiana Fever and Reese for the Chicago Sky.
- Now that you understand how to observe the solar eclipse, prepare to see an even rarer celestial event: an exploding star.
This newsletter was published by Majd Al-Waheidi.
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