NPR is reporting that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new U.S. economic sanctions against Iran and its "enablers," an initiative the Trump administration calls an "economic D-Day." Bessent described the actions as an "economic onslaught" targeting Iran's global financial connections. NPR's Michele Kelemen said the U.S. aims for Iran to face economic isolation or return to normalcy, with Bessent warning that no entity is beyond the reach of U.S. sanctions. The Trump administration appears to be counting on regime change. NPR's Aya Batrawy reported that while the United Arab Emirates cut commercial trade ties, other Gulf allies have been muted, and the U.S. needs more countries to align with President Donald J Trump's measures to "crush" Iran's revenue. China, the largest importer of Iranian oil, condemned the measures as "illicit unilateral sanctions." Iran's Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh dismissed the actions, stating Iran has a two-year plan to manage consequences.
The Supreme Court has given President Donald J Trump a temporary win in his efforts to restrict mail-in voting, NPR said. Justices paused a lower court's ruling that blocked key parts of a March executive order calling for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver mail-in ballots only to people on lists of U.S. citizens. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang said the Supreme Court has not ruled on the order's legality, only that a Boston judge acted prematurely. Trump said his order prevents illegal voting by non-U.S. citizens, despite studies indicating such incidents are rare. Colorado's Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold told Lo Wang the order could create chaos for the midterms.
Department of Homeland Security agents secretly recorded meetings at churches, libraries, restaurants and schools across the Twin Cities during a surge in federal immigration enforcement last winter, according to government documents, NPR reported. This revelation was part of a motion filed in federal court in an ongoing conspiracy case against ICE protesters. Agents also infiltrated private group chats. Critics argue these tactics raise ethical concerns.
Many wildfire evacuees have been allowed to return to Spokane, Washington, weeks after some of the state's worst blazes, though questions about safety remain, NPR reported.
New research suggests high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may unlock unique benefits for the body, NPR said. The training triggers a strong bloodstream response, increasing protein and molecule mobilization. The study found fat cells responded differently to blood from HIIT participants, with changes in genes regulating fat and metabolism. HIIT can improve VO₂ max within two months with short time investment. The study focused on young, fit, predominantly male participants.
Racecar drivers sped through Washington, D.C., for the first time at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, NPR reported. The track featured landmarks along Pennsylvania, Constitution and Independence Avenues. President Donald J Trump and first lady Melania Trump took a ceremonial lap.
Other news includes New York City police investigating people emerging from a manhole, research showing alcohol poses a greater risk than drugs to college students despite a Penn State cocaine bust, and a study finding at least 25% of former NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had CTE.