Chapter 1: What recent diplomatic efforts are being made between Trump, Ukraine, and Russia?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rom. President Trump posted today that he had a good and very productive telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump is meeting now at his Florida resort with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. and a possible agreement between Ukraine and Russia to end nearly four years of war.
Republican Congressman Mike Turner serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He told ABC News he's hoping for progress.
I think that Zelensky is coming with a plan that is workable and that could get us there. And hopefully with our allies in Europe that have come together, which they seem to be working in advancing the type of security assurances we're going to need. with the United States that hopefully we can deter Russia in the future.
Before the meeting, President Trump said there will be a strong security agreement for Ukraine.
Chapter 2: What security concerns are being addressed by Netanyahu during his meeting with Trump?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is next. He's on his way to the U.S. to meet President Trump in Florida tomorrow. He's planning to raise Israel's concerns about Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza is still in phase one. The president has yet to name his so-called board of peace for Gaza, and there's still no international force there. Israel has set up a yellow line in the territory controlling one side and continuing to carry out strikes on the other. Netanyahu has said the peace plan can't move to the next phase.
until Hamas returns the body of the last Israeli hostage, though Hamas says everyone who knew where that body was has been killed.
Chapter 3: How is the Trump administration being scrutinized for potential Hatch Act violations?
Gaza isn't the only thing on Netanyahu's agenda. Israeli officials say that Iran is building up its arsenal of ballistic missiles, months after Trump ordered massive strikes on nuclear sites in Iran. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, Jerusalem.
The legal advocacy firm Democracy Forward is asking a federal whistleblower agency to investigate violations of the Hatch Act by the Trump administration. The Hatch Act restricts federal employees from engaging in partisan political activities while on duty. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports.
Thank you so much. But it's unclear where the complaint will go. Earlier this year, President Trump fired the special counsel, who leads the agency that enforces the Hatch Act, and replaced him with one of his cabinet members. And in a press release, the Office of Special Counsel said 2025 has been one of the most productive and impactful years in its history.
Chapter 4: What trends are emerging in the film industry regarding female audiences?
Andrea Hsu, NPR News.
This is NPR News in Washington. Many of the most successful movies over the past few months have been driven by female ticket buyers. The Housemaid and Wicked for Good have performed better than some films aimed more towards men. NPR's Netta Ulaby has more.
Many of the biggest movies over the past few months brought in men and women in roughly equal numbers. For example, Avatar, Fire and Ash. Or they were movies for kids, like Zootopia 2. But a lot of movies targeting men this season were bombs, like The Smashing Machine, The Running Man, and Him. What did much better?
Chapter 5: How did Brigitte Bardot impact cinema and animal rights activism?
Wicked for Good. Haven't you heard? I'm the Wicked Witch of the West. With an audience that's been about 70% female. Other successful films over the past few months with a largely female audience include The Last Downton Abbey movie, the romantic drama Regretting You, and the Taylor Swift film promoting her album The Life of a Showgirl. Netta Ulipi, NPR News.
French sex symbol Brigitte Bardot died today at her home in southern France. She appeared in more than two dozen films and later became an animal rights activist. Here's how she viewed her career in a BBC interview, heard here through an interpreter.
I never plan anything that happens to me.
Chapter 6: What reflections did Brigitte Bardot share about her career and life choices?
I took life as it came on a daily, yearly basis, and I didn't ask myself bizarre questions because when you have the career I've had, you don't turn up your nose at it. I did appreciate what I had. I found it extraordinary. On the other hand, later, I understood I couldn't spend my life making films.
Brigette Bardot was 91. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.