Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Live from NPR News, I'm Janine Herbst. Russia is praising a newly released U.S. security document that makes quickly ending the war in Ukraine and improving relations with Russia among key foreign policy goals. NPR's Charles Maines has more.
Speaking to state media, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow viewed the adjustments in U.S. strategic policy as positive and largely consistent with Russia's own vision of global affairs. The document removes mention of Russia as a strategic threat and instead criticizes U.S. allies in Europe for failing to tend to their own security,
The paper also largely aligns with Russia in arguing European efforts to preserve Ukraine's territorial integrity are unrealistic. The paper's release comes as the White House says it's close to finalizing a deal to end Russia's nearly four-year war in Ukraine, raising concerns in Kiev and Europe that the U.S. and Russia are working together to force concessions on Ukraine.
Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.
The suspect, accused of planting pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol in 2021, told federal investigators he believed conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen from then-President Trump. He also expressed views supportive of Trump. Ampere's Mara Liason reports the account comes from a person familiar with the investigation who wasn't authorized to speak publicly.
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Chapter 2: What recent developments have occurred in U.S.-Russia relations?
For years, Trump supporters, including Dan Bongino, who is now the deputy FBI director, have claimed that the pipe bombs were an inside job. But the suspect was apparently a Trump supporter who told law enforcement that he believed the lie that Trump won the 2020 election. Speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox, Bongino explained why the facts are at odds with what he used to say as a paid podcaster.
I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. That's clear. And one day I'll be back in that space. But that's not what I'm paid for now.
Now Bongino says, quote, I'm paid to be your deputy FBI director, and we base investigations on facts. Mara Liason, NPR News.
Policymakers at the Federal Reserve meet this week to discuss interest rates, and they are expected to lower the benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
The Fed lowered interest rates at each of its last two meetings, but policymakers were divided on whether a third straight cut would be warranted this coming week, inflation still well above the Fed's 2% target, which would ordinarily suggest keeping rates higher. But the central bank's also concerned about a softening job market, which could be cushioned with lower interest rates.
Investors think those job market worries will take priority at this week's meeting, and the rate-setting committee will opt for another quarter-point cut, but the decision is not likely to be unanimous. The six-week government shutdown added to the uncertainty by delaying some key economic reports until after this week's meeting. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A godfather of Puerto Rican music, Rafael Itier has died. He was 99 years old. For decades, he led the island's most celebrated salsa orchestra. Empire's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento has more.
Rafael Itier founded El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 1962. The Korean War veteran served as El Combo's principal pianist and director. He turned the orchestra into one of Latin America's premier salsa institutions, ushering in a golden age for the genre.
For over six decades, El Gran Combo not only served as an informal training ground for dozens of salsa musicians, it also influenced global superstars like Bad Bunny, who sampled one of their songs in his latest album. Puerto Rican Governor Jennifer Gonzalez Colon announced that the island will soon hold an official date of mourning for Itier. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.
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