NPR News: 08-07-2026 11AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Louisiana Republican Bill Cassidy says he'll back President Trump's pick for attorney general.
Why is Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy supporting Trump’s attorney‑general pick?
Cassidy considered a pivotal vote, announced his decision to support the nomination of Todd Blanch on the Senate floor just a short time ago.
This is not a referendum on President Trump. It is a decision regarding Mr Blanche in very specific circumstances. All considered, I will vote for Mr Blanche. I'll be criticised for this vote. What's new? What?
What are the details of the new Saudi‑Turkey‑Pakistan defense agreement?
People foozy, eh? Can be assured. that I worked hard to understand the issue. And you make the right decision.
Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski have said they plan to vote no.
Why are patients and researchers urging a ban on betting on clinical trials?
Senator Mitch McConnell is absent, leaving Republicans with no other votes to spare. Blanche has faced questions about the Justice Department's independence and a now canceled fund for January 6th rioters. Blanche is serving as acting attorney general and previously worked as President Trump's personal lawyer. The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a joint defense agreement today that's according to a statement published by the Turkish President's Office. NPR Sadil al-Shalchi reports the President of Turkey, the Saudi Crown Prince, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan signed the deal in the city of Mecca.
Details of the agreement were not immediately released, but the Pakistani foreign ministry said that it was intended to quote strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression. This deal comes as tensions in the Middle East rise with fears of a widening war between the United States and Iran. The agreement would combine the strengths of Saudi Arabia as an oil rich country, Pakistan, a nuclear power, and Turkey, which has NATO's second largest military and a growing defense industry.
How will the FCC’s vote to remove local‑TV ownership limits affect media diversity?
Hadil Al Shalchi and PR News, Istanbul.
Patients and medical researchers are calling on prediction market sites to ban betting on clinical trials. And PR's Bobby Allen reports, Calci and Poly Markets say the markets offer valuable information.
Prediction market sites Calci and Polymarket are facing a backlash for allowing bettors to wager money on the outcome of clinical trials. The companies say the betting can keep patients ahead of the latest medical breakthroughs, but Joshua Petterson sees it differently. His 12-year-old son is a cancer patient in a clinical trial, and he says betting against the trial's success is effectively trying to make money on his sick child.
One of the things that has struck me about these platforms is that they're flashy and they're gamified in such a way that you're often kind of distanced from the real cost.
Drug researchers have started an online petition asking that the platforms ban such markets, but the companies claim they could make the opaque drug discovery process more transparent.
What are the concerns about ICE’s body‑camera policy and video release?
Bobby Allen, M PR News.
This is NPR News in Washington. The Federal Communications Commission has voted to wipe away limits on how many Americans any one company can reach through the local TV stations it owns. Congress set a limit at thirty-nine percent of Americans to preserve a range of editorial voices and sensibilities in local TV. NPR's David Folkenflick reports some lawmakers and advocates say the Commission's action is unlawful.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the local TV business is under pressure from streaming, and he says local TV companies need to bulk up to fight back networks like ABC and CBS and NBC. Carr's launched investigations of major broadcast networks egged on by President Trump. The vote on limits fell two to one along party lines. The Lone Democrat on the commission says the vote was illegal, that only Congress can change or erase those limits. But executives at Nextstar hailed the decision. Nextar owns more TV stations than anyone. Its acquisition of a big rival would let it reach 80% of the nation, but that takeover is on hold as a major antitrust lawsuit plays out. David Folkenflake and PR News.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement are planning to equip all field officers with body cameras by the end of September, but the agency's policy does not require the automatic release of video from deadly or serious encounters.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:12
2
Why is Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy supporting Trump’s attorney‑general pick?
0:12–0:35
3
What are the details of the new Saudi‑Turkey‑Pakistan defense agreement?
0:35–0:49
4
Why are patients and researchers urging a ban on betting on clinical trials?
0:49–1:56
5
How will the FCC’s vote to remove local‑TV ownership limits affect media diversity?
1:56–2:54
6
What are the concerns about ICE’s body‑camera policy and video release?
2:54–4:27
7
What stories are featured in the ‘Here and Now Anytime’ roundup?
4:27–5:02