Giles Snyder

Researchers in South Africa and Namibia are reporting encouraging news about the survival chances of the largest animal on Earth.

As Imperial Show Palco reports, the scientists say sightings of blue whales in Antarctic waters are rising.

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder.

U.S.

military says it hit southern Iran today with what it calls self-defense strikes.

A statement says the strikes targeted missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to place mines, and that the strikes were carried out in order to protect U.S.

troops.

Meanwhile, Israel's military says it has carried out military strikes against the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

The strike came after Israel said Monday it would escalate strikes against Hezbollah.

Here's MPRS Jane Araf reporting from Beirut.

The Trump administration is proposing a host of rules that would loosen firearms restrictions.

One would allow veterans with severe mental health issues access to firearms.

NPR's Jacqueline Diaz has more.

Officials in Orange County in Southern California say the risk of a catastrophic chemical tank explosion is easing.

And they've begun letting some of the 50,000 residents who were forced from their homes in Garden Grove to return.

But Police Chief Amir Alfaro says some 15,000 are still being asked to stay away.

Officials say the storage tank could still explode or leak, but the range of impact has been significantly reduced.

Officials say they believe a crack in the tank relieved pressure, and that crews have confirmed that temperatures in the tank are falling.

This is NPR News.

Jazz musician Sonny Rollins has died, according to his social media and his website.