RFK Jr. on vaccines; Ukraine’s post-war safety : NPR

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At the moment’s high tales

In a Senate listening to yesterday, Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confronted calls to resign from Democrats and criticism from Republicans. For many years, Kennedy has established a status as an anti-vaccine activist. Nonetheless, when President Trump was contemplating him for the HHS secretary position, Kennedy made guarantees to not stop folks from acquiring vaccines. Within the listening to, he was requested to clarify his current actions relating to vaccines. This included how he went again on his vow to not contact the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s advisory committee on immunization practices. He fired all 17 members of the committee and changed them with folks with a historical past of anti-vaccine activism.

• 🎧 Kennedy insisted that anyone who needs to obtain the shot can and obtained indignant when he was pressed on the subject, NPR’s Selena Simmons-Duffin tells Up First. This 12 months, the Meals and Drug Administration accepted the COVID booster, however just for folks with sure circumstances and people over 65. This choice has brought about confusion amongst docs, sufferers and insurance coverage firms. Simmons-Duffins says it is nonetheless unknown what the CDC’s advisory committee on immunization practices plans to do about vaccinations. The panel is about to overview routine childhood vaccines, together with the one for measles, mumps and rubella, and Hepatitis B.

D.C. Lawyer Normal Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit towards the Trump administration, stating that the deployment of the Nationwide Guard within the nation’s capital is prohibited. For the previous three weeks, Nationwide Guard troops have been patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., following Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency” within the metropolis. The president’s declare got here as D.C. reported a 30-year low for violent crimes. Schwalb says the army should not be concerned in home regulation enforcement, and they’re untrained in policing.

• 🎧 Since troops have been deployed to Washington, estimates point out that crime general has decreased, says Alex Koma of NPR community station WAMU. Troops will not be licensed to make arrests, however can inform police of against the law. This makes it onerous to judge if they’ve any direct correlation with the decline in crime, in response to Koma. D.C. has requested a choose to take away the Nationwide Guard troops from the realm instantly. The lawsuit comes two days after a federal choose dominated that Trump broke the regulation when he despatched Nationwide Guard troops into Los Angeles throughout the protests towards immigration raids. This case is being intently monitored by cities like Chicago and Baltimore, the place Trump threatened to deploy federal forces.
• ➡️ On Tuesday, the White Home stated that 1,669 folks have been arrested since Trump’s takeover of the D.C. police. NPR combed by court docket data and different information. Here is a breakdown of who has been arrested and what fees they’re going through.

Europe introduced yesterday that it had finalized a plan to ensure Ukraine’s peace and safety after the battle with Russia ends. The proposal would come with troops on the bottom in Ukraine from a number of international locations from a gaggle often known as the coalition of the prepared. The coalition presently consists of 35 international locations that gathered in Paris, bodily and by video. Representatives from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada additionally attended.

• 🎧 Russian President Vladimir Putin warned this morning that any overseas troops in Ukraine can be a goal. NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley says his response to the information is not stunning. Additionally it is why French President Emmanuel Macron, says the spine of Ukraine’s post-war safety is a robust Ukrainian military. Macron acknowledged that that is the explanation they will not be accepting restrictions on the Ukrainian military’s measurement and form.

Residing higher

Shut-up of lady pouring a meal alternative shakes into her buddy’s glass. Horizontal shot.

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Residing Higher is a particular collection about what it takes to remain wholesome in America.

Creatine dietary supplements have gained reputation amongst social media influencers who say they can assist with muscle development, enhance athletic efficiency and even improve mind perform. The compound is constructed from three amino acids that function a supply of vitality on your muscle mass. Whereas your physique naturally produces some creatine, can maximizing on it actually ship the advantages influencers are claiming? Here is what the proof reveals:

• 🥛 Creatine does work for including lean muscle mass, however you need to work out to learn from its results.
• 🥛 Males who mixed the dietary supplements with resistance coaching added round two to 3 kilos of lean physique mass, in response to a overview of 35 research. This may very well be vital for older males, who are likely to lose muscle mass as they age.
• 🥛 Preliminary proof signifies that advantages like regulating blood sugar in Sort 2 diabetes and enhancing reminiscence will not be strongly supported, in response to Jose Antonio, an train and sports activities science professor at Nova Southeastern College in Florida.
• 🥛 Vegans and vegetarians usually tend to see the advantages from taking creatine, as they in all probability do not get a lot or any of it of their weight-reduction plan. Creatine comes from crimson meat, rooster or fish.

Weekend picks

Daniel Dae Kim performs a spy who faked his personal loss of life in Butterfly.

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Juhan Noh/Prime

Try what NPR is watching, studying and listening to this weekend:

🍿 Motion pictures: In The Thursday Homicide Membership a gaggle of retirees collect to analysis chilly circumstances to go the time — till an actual homicide and a plucky new member present up on their doorstep.

📺 TV: Daniel Dae Kim stars in Butterfly as a former U.S. authorities spy who comes out of hiding to save lots of his long-lost daughter from her life as an murderer.

📚 Books: To the Moon and Again follows Steph Harper, who aspires to change into NASA’s first Cherokee astronaut. Earlier than she will obtain her desires, she should escape an abusive guardian and navigate her youth spent on a reservation whereas experiencing a queer coming of age.

🎵 Music: Artist Nourished by Time’s new album, The Passionate Ones, is a not-so-quiet, craving and romantic expression that nothing can stand in the best way of pursuing love.

❓ Quiz: I’ve been bested this week. I obtained seven out of the 11 questions proper. I do know you are able to do higher! Take a look at your reminiscence.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Amanda Anisimova of the USA celebrates after defeating Naomi Osaka of Japan in three units throughout their girls’s singles semifinal match on Sept. 5, 2025, within the Queens borough of New York Metropolis.

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Sarah Stier/Getty Photos

1. American Amanda Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka of Japan early in the present day within the U.S. Open semifinals. She is anticipated to compete in her first U.S. Open finals tomorrow.
2. Giorgio Armani, the founding father of the Italian luxurious trend home Armani, died yesterday in Milan at age 91. His designs had a aim of highlighting the physique as a murals.
3. Susan Stamberg, one in every of NPR’s “founding moms,” is retiring after over 50 years behind the mic. Morning Version shares a tribute to her legacy.

This text was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.