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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.
Chapter 2: What is the significance of the criminal investigation involving Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell?
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he's the target of a criminal investigation over whether he lied to Congress over the summer about Fed building renovation costs, which increased to $2.5 billion. The probe is igniting debate over presidential reach and the Fed's independence. House Speaker Mike Johnson was asked today about the DOJ's action.
They're doing their job. I mean, if the investigation is warranted, then they have to lay that out. We'll see what happens. The allegation is serious, so we'll see.
Powell's predecessors, Republican and Democratic, issued a joint statement denouncing the investigation as unprecedented and potentially damaging for the U.S. economy. Venezuela's interim government says it has released 116 prisoners in, quote, the past few hours. However, human rights groups say that number is much lower. NPR's Kerry Khan has more.
The Venezuelan rights organization Foro Penal says at least 24 prisoners were released overnight, but its director, Alfredo Romero, urges caution.
We are worried that it's been so slow. I don't want... The same thing that has happened in the past. They release 100 and then they incarcerate new 100.
Posting on social media, President Trump said the prisoner release process was beginning in a, quote, big way and said he hopes those freed, quote, remember how lucky they got that the U.S. came along and did what had to be done. And he added it would not be good for them to forget that. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Bogota, Colombia.
The president now says he is inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after the oil company's top executive expressed reservations. Trump met with the heads of Exxon, Chevron and ConocoPhillips Friday and urged them to invest at least $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela's oil infrastructure. Critics note that restoring the infrastructure could take years, if not decades.
President Trump says credit card companies will be violating the law if they charge more than 10 percent interest. Trump has called for a cap on credit card interest rates starting January 20th. NPR's Stephen Basaja reports that despite Trump's threats, there is no new law to make that cap.
Trump spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One and said credit card companies are abusing customers with those high rates. Because, you know, some of them are 28, almost 30 percent. And people don't know they're paying 30 percent. Average credit card interest rates are 21 percent and have shot well above moderate highs over the past few years.
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Chapter 3: How are human rights groups responding to Venezuela's prisoner release claims?
to ignore a commander-in-chief's orders. A new meta-analysis finds exercise is as effective as antidepressants and therapy to treat depression. NPR's Alison Aubrey reports on what type of exercise is effective.
Researchers evaluated evidence from 73 randomized controlled trials that included about 5,000 people with depression. Dr. Stephen Matika of Inspira Health says the new review confirms just how effective exercise can be.
We know that exercise is one of the most evidence-based tools for improving mood.
Exercise mirrors some of the effects of medication and can boost feel-good compounds in the brain, including serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. The review finds light to moderate activity, including a brisk walk, can be just as effective as more intense exercise. And they found the combination of aerobic exercise and strength training appears to be more effective than cardio alone.
Alison Aubrey, NPR News.
Another look at Wall Street. We see the Nasdaq is up 117 points, roughly half a percent. S&Ps gained 17. This is NPR News.
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