NPR News: 07-23-2025 3PM EDT

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NPR News Now 4 min 4 speakers 5 chapters transcribed 25 days ago

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What are the latest political controversies involving former President Trump?

Lakshmi Singh 0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Sangh. MAGA calls to release everything the government's got on investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Continue to dog President Trump and his closest allies. Attempting to refocus the narrative President Trump's rehashing long standing allegations at the Obama administration. Lied about Russia intervening in the twenty sixteen election on Trump's behalf. Today, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a document that she says supports Trump's assertion. There is irrefutable evidence that detail how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false.

Lakshmi Singh 0:45

The allegations prompted a rare public rebuke from Obama's campaign. His spokesman Patrick Rodenbush says the allegations are bizarre and quote a weak attempt at distraction.

Why did the USPS Inspector General report widespread delivery delays during the holiday season?

Lakshmi Singh 0:56

The US Postal Service internal watchdog has found that the agency did not meet most of its own performance goals for processing and delivering mail on time. During last year's December holiday season. Your NPR's Hanzi Lo Wong.

Hansi Lewong 1:09

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve is the busiest time of year for the U.S. Postal Service, which is a financial supportive NPR. The USPS Inspector General's office has found during last year's peak mailing season, the Postal Service did not meet many of its own goals for making deliveries on time, including for priority and first-class mail. And that's even after USPS lowered its goals from the previous year. The Inspector General's report says USPS was not prepared to handle the increase in packages sent during last December's holidays. season.

What new evidence has emerged about sectarian violence in southern Syria?

Hansi Lewong 1:35

New regional processing centers and changes to how USPS moves mail, which are part of its controversial reorganization plan, also contributed to delays. To cut costs, this month the Postal Service rolled out more changes to delivery times, which may further slow down mail sent from some rural communities.

Lakshmi Singh 1:53

The Syrian government is out with a new report saying more than fourteen hundred people were killed in sectarian massacres. In March. Authorities say they have arrested thirty seven people who were involved in the killings. Release of the report after weeks of unexplained delay comes as more sectarian violence continues in southern Syria. More from NPR's Emily Fang.

Emily Fang 2:13

The report also found no evidence of the military leadership ordering the attacks, but there is widespread distrust among ethnic and religious minorities in Syria of the country's interim leader, Ahmed al Shira, and there are suspicions his security forces directed much of the sectarian killing, mostly of ethnic Alawites this past March. And this week Syria evacuated hundreds of mostly ethnic Bedouin citizens away from deadly fighting in the south.

How is the Trump administration planning to reshape AI regulations and federal use?

Emily Fang 2:39

The fighting involved government forces who were drawn into the fighting between Bedouin tribes against some militias run by the Druze, another religious minority. Emily Fang and Pure News.

Lakshmi Singh 2:51

At the last check on Wall Street, the Dow was up more than 400 points from Washington. This is NPR News. The California doctors pleaded guilty to illegally supplying ketamine to friend star Matthew Perry. who died in twenty twenty three following an overdose. doctor Salvador Placencia appeared in federal court today. He's being allowed to remain free on bond until his sentencing in December. The Trump White House intends to get rid of regulations that AI companies see as hindering innovation.

What progress is being made to restore American oyster catchers and shorebird habitats?

Lakshmi Singh 3:24

It says it's directing the federal government to use only AI platforms that are free from quote. Ideological bias such as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, part of a wide ranging action plan aimed at ensuring the US dominates a global AI industry, according to the administration. Most North American shorebird populations are declining, but there are some success stories from Central Florida public media in Orlando. Molly Durrig reports on the decades long efforts to help the American oyster catcher bounce back.