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Today’s prime tales

In just some hours, thousands and thousands of Americans can be turning their heads to the sky to get a glimpse on the complete photo voltaic eclipse. The moon will start to dam out the solar just a little earlier than 1:30 p.m. Central time in Eagle Pass, Texas. The moon will then move across the country by way of Maine. Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are holding watch events and celebrations for the occasion. But climate in sure components of the United States could play a task in how seen the eclipse can be.

TOPSHOT – Shadows type on the bottom because the moon strikes in entrance of the solar in a uncommon “ring of fire” photo voltaic eclipse in Singapore on December 26, 2019.

LOUIS KWOK/AFP by way of Getty Images

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LOUIS KWOK/AFP by way of Getty Images

TOPSHOT – Shadows type on the bottom because the moon strikes in entrance of the solar in a uncommon “ring of fire” photo voltaic eclipse in Singapore on December 26, 2019.

LOUIS KWOK/AFP by way of Getty Images

• Fortunately, it looks as if it will likely be clearer skies than anticipated, Shelly Brisbin ​​​​​​explains on Up First. A giant drawback, although, could also be site visitors as folks drive into cities to get the most effective spot for the eclipse. Some cities have even declared catastrophe zones to make it simpler to information the movement of automobiles. 
• If you need to sustain with eclipse protection at this time, try our live blog. It’s stuffed with eclipse viewing recommendation for individuals who want last-minute tips about the place to get glasses and the best way to take the most effective photographs. The reside weblog can even be up to date with unforgettable footage, tales and protection from throughout NPR’s community as quickly because the celestial occasion begins.  

The Department of Education launched new proposals that would remove pupil debt for thousands and thousands of Americans. The new proposals emphasize reducing or eliminating accrued interest. The proposal would cancel $20,000 in curiosity for any borrower, no matter revenue. It would additionally make it in order that low and middle-income debtors might turn into eligible to have all of their curiosity forgiven.

• Millions of debtors owe more cash now than they initially took out, NPR’s Sequoia Carrillo explains on Up First. This new proposal hopes to deal with this drawback. The Biden administration is utilizing a course of referred to as “negotiated rulemaking” to make sure that the proposal can survive authorized challenges this time round. The negotiated rulemaking course of is a slower and way more conventional path to alter larger schooling coverage. The stakes for getting pupil debt reduction handed are excessive for the administration, Carrillo says, as a result of pupil mortgage debtors are a fairly younger group, which is a key demographic the president is hoping to maintain in his camp.  

It has been six months for the reason that warfare between Israel and Hamas first began on October 7, when 1,200 folks have been killed by Hamas, in accordance with the Israeli authorities. Over 30,000 folks in Gaza have been killed, in accordance with the Gaza Health Ministry, making it the deadliest interval of violence in Israeli-Palestinian historical past. Ceasefire negotiations have did not deliver a brand new pause in combating or a hostage alternate deal for the remaining hostages taken by Hamas. Over the weekend, Israel withdrew a significant number of troops from the southern metropolis of Khan Younis. And there was a major improve within the variety of help vehicles allowed into Gaza.

• The improve in help and the withdrawal of troops comes after President Biden referred to as on Israel to do extra to minimize the struggling in Gaza. But yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s acknowledged objective of eliminating Hamas in all of Gaza, including Rafah, the place nearly all of the displaced inhabitants resides in deplorable circumstances. The United States is constant to place heavy strain on Israel to achieve some kind of take care of Hamas. But Hamas needs a everlasting ceasefire, and Netanyahu has repeatedly stated he would solely comply with a six-week pause in combating.

Life recommendation

The Science of Siblings is a brand new collection exploring the methods our siblings can affect us, from our cash and our psychological well being all the way in which all the way down to our very molecules. We’ll be sharing these tales over the following a number of weeks.

Lily Padula for NPR

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Lily Padula for NPR

The Science of Siblings is a brand new collection exploring the methods our siblings can affect us, from our cash and our psychological well being all the way in which all the way down to our very molecules. We’ll be sharing these tales over the following a number of weeks.

Lily Padula for NPR

Blended households are frequent in popular culture. But in actual life, the blended household expertise is normally someplace in between Cinderella and The Brady Bunch. When it involves the stepsibling relationships, one factor is nearly at all times true: it takes work to get along. Here are some science-backed suggestions for blended households:

• Big modifications take time to get used to, particularly for teenagers. Don’t attempt to rush issues. 
• Creating new household rituals will help foster a bond. At the identical time, it is necessary to not power a bond or attempt to “normalize” issues if somebody’s not prepared. 
• Preserve one-on-one time along with your organic youngster to assist them really feel safe in unfamiliar territory. And, depart the disciplining to the organic father or mother till you have established a caring, trusting relationship along with your stepchild.

Behind the story

New Jersey is called the diner capital of the world. But over the previous decade, round 150 diners have closed within the state. The ones that stay have made huge modifications to outlive.

Peter Sedereas

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Peter Sedereas

New Jersey is called the diner capital of the world. But over the previous decade, round 150 diners have closed within the state. The ones that stay have made huge modifications to outlive.

Peter Sedereas

I grew up in New Jersey, so naturally, I really like diners. New Jersey is taken into account the diner capital of the world. And Peter Sedereas, head of an unofficial New Jersey diner coalition and proprietor of Townsquare Diner in Wharton, N.J., estimates that there are round 450 diners within the state.

Diners are closing nationwide. When the diner throughout the road from my residence in Maryland abruptly closed to get replaced by an residence constructing, I began to marvel how diners have been doing in my residence state.

Around 150 diners have closed in New Jersey over the previous decade. And it isn’t simply due to the pandemic. Most New Jersey diners are household companies, and lots of members of the following technology aren’t focused on taking on their household’s diner.

When I spoke to Peter Sedereas for this Morning Edition story, he stated diners are at all times at the most effective places. He will get not less than one provide a month to purchase his diner.

As a diner lover, it eased my thoughts to see and listen to that folks nonetheless go to diners and that Sedereas’ enterprise is doing higher than 20 years in the past. Even although diners are closing and the remaining ones are altering lots, he says he would not see diners ever leaving New Jersey. And I do not assume the eagerness folks from New Jersey have for diners will ever go away.

Before you go

Walmart, the most important retailer the United States, will report second quarter earnings on August 16, 2022.

ROBYN BECK/AFP by way of Getty Images

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ROBYN BECK/AFP by way of Getty Images

Walmart, the most important retailer the United States, will report second quarter earnings on August 16, 2022.

ROBYN BECK/AFP by way of Getty Images

1. Customers who purchased sure “weighted goods” and bagged citrus at Walmart shops within the final six years may be eligible for cash payments, because of a $45 million class motion lawsuit. 
2. Frictionless funds strategies like Apple or Google pay is likely to be causing you to spend more cash.
3. “Waterloo” by ABBA  leaped to the highest of the charts when it got here out 50 years in the past. On its fiftieth anniversary, fans gathered in England, Sweden and elsewhere to rejoice the track that put the Swedish supergroup on the map. 

This e-newsletter was edited by Treye Green. Anandita Bhalerao contributed.