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Chapter 1: What recent events have escalated tensions in Lebanon?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Israeli airstrikes rocked the heart of Beirut last night as part of Israel's renewed offensive in Lebanon after the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel. Israel says it will not stop until Hezbollah is completely defeated. NPR's Hadil Al-Shalchi has more from Beirut.
This was the third Israeli strike to rock the heart of the capital since the war in Iran began. This time it came with the first ever evacuation order for a part of central Beirut. The Israeli military told people within a 300-yard radius of a building in the Bashura neighborhood to leave.
An official in the region not authorized to speak publicly and speaking on condition of anonymity told NPR the Israeli strike in central Beirut was symbolic. to send a message that Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah's fire much longer. The Lebanese president has called for direct talks with Israel.
Chapter 2: How is the Trump administration challenging California's vehicle emission standards?
Israel has not responded publicly. The official said Israel sees positive signs from the Lebanese government to crack down on Hezbollah. Hadil Al-Shalji, NPR News, Beirut.
The Trump administration is suing California's air pollution agency over its strict vehicle emission standards. NPR's Jeff Brady reports that pollution regulations would end the sale of gasoline cars in California by 2035.
President Trump wants to eliminate California's toughest in the nation car pollution standards, calling them an electric vehicle mandate. The Federal Transportation Department is suing the California Air Resources Board, arguing it doesn't have authority to set car pollution standards. California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff said the state will push back.
He criticized Trump for attacking pollution regulations, saying that hurts consumers and benefits oil companies. The legal fight plays out as the Iran war has pushed up oil prices and prompted more drivers to consider going electric.
Chapter 3: What does the latest GDP data reveal about the U.S. economy?
While the cars are more expensive, the fuel is cheaper. Jeff Brady, NPR News.
The latest snapshot of how the U.S. economy's fared reveals slower growth in the fourth quarter than initially reported. The quarter encompasses the final three months of 2025, when the U.S. government was shut down longer than at any other time. NPR's Scott Horsley breaks down the newest data on gross domestic product.
GDP grew at an annual rate of just seven-tenths of one percent in the fourth quarter, down from the original tally of 1.4 percent. The markdown reflects weaker exports, consumer spending, and government spending, during a period that included the six-week government shutdown.
Chapter 4: What are the implications of the new cholesterol management guidelines?
For all of last year, the U.S. economy grew 2 percent. Gasoline prices continue to climb as the war with Iran has pushed oil prices well above $90 a barrel. AAA says the average price of gas nationwide rose to $3.63 a gallon. The average price of diesel fuel jumped to $4.89 a gallon. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
You're listening to NPR News. A Utah state judge is deciding whether certain documents and proceedings should be open to the public in the case of the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk. Tyler Robinson was back in court today, charged with killing the prominent conservative activist last September on a Utah college campus.
An April 17th hearing is scheduled to be held on the defense's motion against TV cameras, microphones, and photographers in court.
Chapter 5: How are rising oil prices affecting gasoline costs for consumers?
New guidelines for managing cholesterol from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology call for earlier treatment. And Pierre's Allison Arbery Report's recommendations also call for additional screening tests to evaluate risks.
When you get your cholesterol checked, results include LDL cholesterol, typically known as bad cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol, the good kind. The new guidelines recommend that adults also test lipoprotein A, explains Leslie Cho, a preventive cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic. Lipoprotein A is a causal risk factor. which means it can greatly increase the risk of heart disease.
It's genetic and doesn't change much, so Cho says adults should have it tested once, and if it's elevated, doctors may recommend more aggressive steps to prevent heart disease, such as starting medications early. Overall, the guidelines call for a more aggressive approach to prevention that will lead to more people being treated earlier. Allison Aubrey, NPR News. U.S.
Chapter 6: What challenges do transgender troops face under the current military policies?
stocks trading lower this hour. The Nasdaq is down 215 points, or nearly 1%. The S&P has fallen 32 points. The Dow is down 35 points. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.
In the military, transgender troops face a new crackdown. Like in my head, I know I'm doing nothing wrong. I feel like I'm hiding something, but I shouldn't have to hide it. On the Sunday story, how the Trump administration is pushing out trans service members and what this could mean for mission readiness. The Sunday story from the Up First podcast. Listen now on the NPR app.