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Chapter 1: What new evidence has emerged from the Jeffrey Epstein case?
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, and the former Prince Andrew are among those seen in 19 just-released photos from the estate of the late Jeffrey Epstein. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released them. There are 95,000 photos in all, and top committee Democrat Robert Garcia says they are combing through them carefully.
It will take days and weeks to ensure that we get those photos and that a redaction is done in the appropriate way. Let me just also say that clearly we have put out I think maybe 15 to 20 of those photos this morning. Democrats have. We will continue to put out more photos in the days and weeks ahead.
Chapter 2: What is the latest update on Kilmar Abrego-Garcia's deportation case?
But I just caution folks at the redaction process and ensuring that we are protecting the survivors. And the women who were abused by Epstein are protected.
Republicans say nothing in the photos suggest wrongdoing by Trump. Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, the man at the center of a months-long deportation fight, has avoided being rearrested for now. As NPR's Martin Costi reports, Abrego Garcia was released from detention yesterday, but supporters worried that he might have been rearrested today.
Abrego Garcia had been ordered to check in at the ICE field office in Baltimore, and his lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, told a crowd of supporters that there was concern he wouldn't come back out.
We'll never know what their plans were for this morning, whether it was a check-in, whether they were planning to arrest him. But he's walking out the door and he's heading back to Prince George's County to be with his family, with his child, with his wife, all waiting there for him.
A federal judge ordered ICE not to detain him while a legal motion is pending. Earlier this year, the administration deported him wrongfully to a prison in his native El Salvador.
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Chapter 3: How does President Trump describe the current state of the economy?
Obriga Garcia originally entered the U.S. illegally but is shielded from being sent to El Salvador. He also faces criminal charges for human smuggling. Martin Koste, NPR News.
President Trump talked this week about a booming economy with even better times ahead. But lots of Americans are not feeling that optimism yet. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has details on Trump's message and the realities.
In Pennsylvania this week, Trump attempted to connect with Americans worried about affordability. But he couldn't resist venting his anger at Democrats who won in November's elections by focusing on the cost of living.
You know, they always have a hoax.
Chapter 4: What are the implications of the Kremlin's stance on Ukraine?
The new word is affordability. So they look at the camera and they say, this election is all about affordability.
By some metrics, like gas prices and real wages, the economy isn't doing badly. But amid elevated inflation, boosted by tariffs, polls show Americans feeling bleak. Nevertheless, Trump continues to give himself top marks, telling Politico this week that he gives his economy a grade of A+++++. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
On Wall Street at this hour, the Dow Jones Industrial Average off 168 points, the Nasdaq down 336. This is NPR News. A Kremlin official is saying that even if there is a peace settlement with Ukraine, Russian police and National Guard will not leave eastern Ukraine's Donbass region.
Yuri Yushakov, a senior Kremlin advisor, was quoted in a Russian business daily that Moscow is not prepared to accept a ceasefire until Ukraine withdraws from the front line.
Chapter 5: What recent developments have occurred regarding women's rights activism in Iran?
Ukraine says its constitution does not allow for surrender of seized territory. The conflict has been going on for four years. Iran has arrested one of the country's most prominent activists, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She was among several other activists and lawyers detained during a memorial service. NPR's Jackie Northam reports.
53-year-old Najez Mohammadi is widely known for her fight for women's rights and democracy in Iran. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while she was incarcerated at Iran's notorious Evin prison. A year ago, the Iranian authorities granted Mohammadi temporary leave from her 13-year sentence for health reasons. She suffered multiple heart attacks in the past.
Mohammadi continued with her activism while out.
Chapter 6: What executive order did President Trump sign regarding artificial intelligence?
Her supporters say Mohammadi was at a memorial for a human rights lawyer when police re-arrested her. It's unclear whether she will be returned to prison. Jackie Northam, NPR News.
President Trump has signed an executive order to block states from regulating artificial intelligence. Trump says the U.S. needs a unified approach to AI regulation to avoid complications from clashing state rules. Some states have already passed AI laws focusing on transparency and limiting data collection. I'm Louise Schiavone and PR News.