Life from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Kivone.
U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf are taking material hits in the war on Iran and warning
“about intensified repercussions in the latest action in the region Iran says Israel attacked”
its large southern gas field, and Tehran vowed retaliation against energy sites across the Gulf. NPR's Ayah Batrawi has the latest from Dubai. Immediately after Israel's attack on Iran's south-parce gas field, the Gulf Arab states of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates issued statements calling it a dangerous escalation.
Qatar said Israel's attack targeted the Iranian side of the underwater gas field the two countries share. It said the attack is a threat to global energy security and the environment. The UAE-meanwhile said the attack exposes civilians, vital facilities, and the environment to direct risks.
Soon after, Qatar Energy said its rustle-fent industrial city was hit by missiles, resulting in fires and extensive damage. Once our one of the world's biggest producers of liquified natural gas has already suspended
“production due to Iranian counterattacks in the war.”
And Saudi Arabia says its forces destroyed drones approaching a gas plant in the east on Wednesday as well as drones aimed at regards diplomatic quarter, where the U.S. embassy has already been hit. Ayah Batrawi and Pernu's Dubai. Senator Mark Wayne Mullen faced tough questions at his confirmation hearing to lead Homeland's
security. It's been tapped to replace Christi Nome as head of the department that has come under fire for its tactics, including the deaths of two protesters and Minneapolis and P.R.'s him menabesteele reports. He was asked about his initial response to the deadly shooting of 37-year-old Alex
Pretty. He was a U.S. citizen killed by water patrol agents in Minneapolis. Mullen at the time called him "deranged."
“Those words probably should have been retracted.”
I shouldn't have said that. The investigation is ongoing, and like I said, there's sometimes going to make mistake and I'll own it. Nome also faced pushback about how she characterized Pretty, and she was lower to admit mistakes like that.
It'll be up to Mullen to prove that he would be able to strike a new tone when leading the agency. And P.R.'s him and Abesteele, primary contests in Illinois last night revealed rifts among Democrats over Israel, and P.R.'s Domenico Montenaro has more.
This year for the first time Gallup found American saying they have more sympathy with
the plight of Palestinians than with Israelis. Support among Democrats has been dropping for the past decade, but since Israel's overwhelming response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks, the reversal has been rapid. Before October 7, more Democrats sided with Israelis, now two-thirds choose Palestinians. A majority of those younger than 35 also side more with Palestinians, a flip from a decade
ago. These changes have been most acute with Democrats and young voters, a plurality of independence also side more with Palestinians. Republicans continue to side overwhelmingly with Israelis, Domenico Montenaro and Pernus, Washington.
The Dow Down 768, this is NPR. The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady today. The policy makers opted to keep rates unchanged between 3.5% and 3.3% with only one member, Stephen Marin, a former White House economic adviser under President Trump, dissenting because he would have preferred a quarter percentage point cut.
Committee members also signaled that on average they expect only one rate cut this year. A new report finds older Americans own a bigger share of real estate wealth than ever before. NPR's Jennifer Letton reports the shift comes as younger people struggle in the housing market. Homeowners age 70 and above now own just over a quarter of real estate wealth about the same as middle-aged people who share his decline.
That's according to a new analysis by the real estate brokerage Redfin. Those in between the two groups ages 55 to 69 own the most real estate wealth. Redfin finds the older baby boomers are the only group that seems steady housing gains for nearly four decades. The younger generations have all seen their share of real estate wealth, stagnate or shrink,
amid rising home prices and mortgage rates. That tough market is also made it hard to downsize, and that's left many older people reluctant to give up their homes. Jennifer Letton and Pierre News, Washington.
The Women's National Basketball Association is on track to have its first million dollar
players a new WNBA collective bargaining agreement was reached in principle early today. The regular season starts May 8th, lawyers are working on final terms. I'm Louise Skivone and Pierre News, Washington.
