Over 1,100 National Guard Troops Deployed in DC Amidst Crime Emergency Declaration; European Leaders Discuss Next Steps for Ukraine Conflict

In this morning’s update, here’s a summary of the latest developments:

Six states, all governed by Republicans, have pledged to send National Guard troops to Washington D.C., resulting in over 1,100 additional soldiers patrolling city streets. The decision follows President Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency” in the capital.

Leaders from Europe are collaborating intensively to devise strategies for ending Russia’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine, following their meeting at the White House earlier this week. President Trump has rejected the idea of sending U.S. troops to join a European-led force aimed at preventing another potential Russian invasion.

Texas legislators are anticipated to vote today on redrawing the state’s congressional map. The bill, if passed, will progress to the Senate tomorrow and then to Governor Greg Abbott for signing. This comes after Texas Democrats temporarily left the state to delay this process. Upon their return, Texas Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows required Democrats to sign a pledge promising attendance today if they wished to leave the building earlier in the week.

The ‘Living Better’ series focuses on maintaining good health in America. A new study published in The Lancet Public Health suggests that 7,000 daily steps could significantly improve your health, with further movement lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and other ailments. While this target is significant, the evidence does not discount the benefits of exceeding it.

In celebration of World Photography Day, NPR network photographers have shared a visual exploration of community gatherings they’ve encountered while covering various stories across the U.S. This series, ‘Here, Together,’ showcases joyous and challenging experiences through family portraits, friendly gatherings, and neighborhood interactions. Featured events range from Seattle’s “From Hiroshima to Hope” event to a weiner dog race in St. Louis.

This newsletter has been edited by Suzanne Nuyen.