Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What recent actions have Iran-backed militias taken against the U.S.?
Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. A group representing Iran-backed militias has issued bounties for U.S. officials. The announcement came soon after the U.S. issued a reward for information on several prominent Iranian officials, NPR's Arzu Razvani reports.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is offering upwards of $100,000 for information on the whereabouts of high-ranking US military and intelligence officials. That's according to a message posted in the group's Telegram channel.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which is comprised of several Iran-backed armed factions, claimed responsibility for recently downing a US military aircraft in Iraq, killing all six crew members. The bounty was announced soon after the US State Department said it would offer a $10 million reward
for information on 10 senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including the newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Chapter 2: How is the U.S. responding to threats from Iranian officials?
Arazu Razvani, NPR News, Erbil, in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Huge plumes of smoke rose over an oil facility in the United Arab Emirates today. It was hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone a day after President Trump said military targets on a key Iranian island were destroyed. French President Emmanuel Macron says France is ready to facilitate ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon.
He posted a social media message today after meeting Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that Zelensky says the U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Russia would only fuel Moscow's war machine.
Speaking alongside Zelensky, President Emmanuel Macron said if Putin thinks the war in Iran will give him a respite, he's wrong. Macron said France will never turn its back on Ukraine. Zelensky said the Trump administration's lifting of sanctions on Russia would give Putin at least $10 billion to continue his war.
Chapter 3: What did President Macron say about ceasefire talks between Israel and Lebanon?
The Ukrainian president also spoke to students at a Paris university where he appeared relaxed and full of humor. He said Ukraine would provide Middle Eastern nations with the anti-drone technology to defend themselves. Zelensky told the students the worst thing in a war is to be alone. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro expressing outrage after a federal judge blocked subpoenas issued in a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
This judge has put himself at the entrance door to the grand jury, slamming that door shut. irrespective of the legal process, and thus preventing the grand jury from doing the work that it does.
In his ruling, the judge said there is no evidence that Powell engaged in wrongdoing linked to congressional testimony he gave about renovations to a Fed building. You're listening to NPR News.
Chapter 4: What are the implications of Zelensky's comments on U.S. sanctions against Russia?
Strong storms last night left hundreds of thousands without power from Wisconsin and Michigan to Virginia and New York. Ohio was the hardest hit. According to PowerOutage.us, more than 300,000 customers are without electricity there. There are also a slew of power outages in Hawaii, where a state of emergency remains in effect from what's called a Kona storm.
It began dumping rain on the islands this week. Richard Grinnell will soon be departing his position as president of the Kennedy Center. Under Grinnell's leadership, the center has seen numerous artists cancel performances, staff departures, and plummeting ticket sales. Here's NPR's Elizabeth Blair.
Richard Grenell has long had a reputation as a brash loyalist to President Trump. He served as the U.S.
Chapter 5: Why is Richard Grenell's leadership at the Kennedy Center controversial?
ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term. Grenell's leadership at the Kennedy Center has been marked by controversy. Among the artists who canceled were actor Issa Rae, musician Rhiannon Giddens, and a touring production of Hamilton. Grenell eliminated the center's social impact division, which built connections with local communities in Washington, D.C.,
Trump announced on social media that pending approval of the center's board of directors, Grinnell will be replaced by Matt Floka, currently the center's vice president for operations. Trump is the first U.S. president to chair the Kennedy Center's board. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News.
Juergen Abramov is being remembered as one of the world's most influential philosophers. and a key intellectual in his native Germany.
Chapter 6: Who was Juergen Abramov and why is he being remembered?
Arba Masa's publisher says he died today. He was 96. I'm JL Snyder, NPR News.
Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.