NPR News: 04-25-2026 3AM EDT
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What are the latest updates on U.S.-Iran peace talks?
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. It's not clear whether peace talks will take place this weekend between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump sent Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Islamabad, saying they'll meet with Iran's foreign minister Saturday night. But Iran says no such meeting is planned. The White House says it hopes talks will move things forward to a deal. As a candidate in 2024, President Trump promised many things, from fixing the economy and bringing down prices to creating lasting peace in the Middle East. But so far, all of those things have eluded him. And as NPR's Deepa Shivram tells us, he's struggling to regain momentum as the midterm elections get closer.
His message is basically, you know, it could have been worse. This war could be going on longer. Gas prices could be higher. He wants to try and talk about, you know, other issues and his other economic messaging things like no tax on tips in Las Vegas or his plans to lower the cost of drugs. Meanwhile, people are in polling clearly showing that they're really, really worried about the economy. And he's standing in front of voters saying that the economy is booming.
How is President Trump addressing economic concerns ahead of midterms?
So his message right now is to sort of dance around the main topic without hitting it head on.
That's NPR's Deepa Shivram with our report. The Justice Department has dropped its criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The White House says the investigation into cost overruns during renovations of two Federal Reserve buildings will now be handled by the Fed's Inspector General. The move should clear a path to confirmation for Kevin Walsh, as NPR's Marian Aspen tells us.
Warsh is Trump's nominee to replace Powell when Powell's term expires next month. But the DOJ investigation was becoming a real problem, including for members of Trump's own party. Senator Tom Tillis, a Republican who's a key member of the Banking Committee, had threatened to hold up Warsh's confirmation until the Trump administration dropped this criminal probe.
That's NPR's Maria Aspin. The investigation was one of several undertaken by the Justice Department into President Trump's perceived enemies. The Food and Drug Administration is now speeding up its review of psychedelics for treating mental health, and it's giving priority status to several psychedelic drugs, which companies have been studying for depression and PTSD. MPR's Will Stone has more.
Three companies are submitting drug applications to the FDA. Two are for psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms for treating depression. The third is for a drug that's similar to MDMA, which has shown promise for PTSD.
What is the status of the investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell?
FDA is giving out special vouchers that are intended to expedite the agency's review of the drugs. It does not mean the drugs are FDA approved yet. This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump that directs federal health agencies to prioritize research on psychedelics. Scientific interest in these drugs for treating mental health has grown substantially in the last few years, though an effort to get MDMA approved for treating PTSD fell short in 2024. Will Stone, NPR News.
And you're listening to NPR News. A study published this week found that youth suicides declined since the launch of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. NPR's Rita Chatterjee reports.
Suicide deaths among 15 to 34-year-olds fell by 11% between July 2022 when 988 launched and December 2024. That translated to more than 4,300 fewer suicide deaths during this time period compared to what scientists would have expected based on trends in prior years. Hannah Weslowski is chief advocacy officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
This is the first time we've had validation that 988 is truly having an impact.
How are psychedelics being prioritized for mental health treatment by the FDA?
And all of the work and investment around building out 988 may be turning the tide on a suicide crisis in our country.
States like Virginia and Rhode Island, with the highest uptick in calls to 988, saw a larger decline in youth suicides, 18%, compared to 11% decrease in states like Alabama and Texas, which had the lowest uptick in calls.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What are the latest updates on U.S.-Iran peace talks?
0:01–1:02
2
How is President Trump addressing economic concerns ahead of midterms?
1:02–2:28
3
What is the status of the investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell?
2:28–3:39
4
How are psychedelics being prioritized for mental health treatment by the FDA?
3:39–4:40
5
What impact has the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline had on youth suicides?
4:40–5:04