NPR News Now: June 7, 2025, 4 PM EDT

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1. Protests and Police Action in Los Angeles

Nora Ramm opens the episode with a report on escalating tensions in Los Angeles. Protesters gathered outside a federal detention center to voice their opposition to recent immigration raids that resulted in the arrest of dozens of individuals this week. The demonstration turned confrontational, leading to a significant police response.

Steve Futterman elaborates on the situation at [00:44], stating, “Hundreds of people showed up in the downtown area. There was a large rally held near the federal detention center.” He describes how the protest transitioned from peaceful demonstrations to chaos: “After the rally broke up, the anger turned into some violence. We saw rocks and bottles, some concrete blocks, trash cans were thrown, even some spray painting on the detention center building.” Despite the disorder, Futterman notes, “there's been no official word about any actual arrests” [00:44].

2. Immigration Raids and Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case

Following the protest coverage, Nora Ramm reports on the legal developments concerning Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a key figure entangled in immigration issues. Garcia, who had been erroneously deported to El Salvador during an immigration raid in March, has now returned to the United States and is stationed in Tennessee. He faces federal criminal charges related to transporting undocumented immigrants. Ramm highlights the ongoing challenges in immigration enforcement and the impact of administrative errors on individuals' lives [01:09].

3. US Job Market and Stock Market Trends

Scott Horsley provides an analysis of the current U.S. economic landscape. The Labor Department announced that employers added 139,000 jobs in May, aligning with forecasts. The unemployment rate remains steady at 4.2% [01:41]. While there were job cuts in the manufacturing sector and federal government, these losses were offset by gains in healthcare and hospitality.

Horsley notes the positive market reaction following the job report: “Stocks rallied after the jobs report was released.” Specifically, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 1.2%, the S&P 500 increased by 1.5%, and the Nasdaq jumped over 2% for the week [01:41]. In response to the economic data, President Trump took to social media urging the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. However, Scott Horsley adds, “investors are betting the central bank will hold rates steady when policymakers meet later this month” [01:41].

4. Russian Attack on Kharkiv, Ukraine

The conflict in Ukraine intensified as Russia launched a substantial attack on Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city. Nora Ramm reports that this assault is considered the largest on Kharkiv since the full-scale invasion commenced [02:22].

Joanna Kissis provides details on the attack at [02:34], stating, “the city was rocked by at least 40 explosions,” with Mayor Ihor Tedehov reporting on Telegram that Russia employed “missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs.” The strike resulted in at least three fatalities. Kissis explains the broader context: “Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine have made little progress. Russia has increased attacks on Ukrainian cities, often hitting civilians, while Ukraine has destroyed bomber planes and military infrastructure targeting Russia's war machine” [02:34].

5. UN Conference on Oceans and US Scientists

Nora Ramm shifts focus to environmental issues, reporting that scientists worldwide are convening in Nice, France, for the upcoming UN Conference on Oceans and the impact of climate change [03:20]. However, the Trump administration has instructed scientists from federal agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA not to attend the event. This directive has resulted in the absence of American representation at a crucial international gathering addressing pressing environmental concerns [03:20].

6. Conclusion of Sean Combs' Sex Trafficking Trial

The legal saga surrounding Sean Combs reaches a pivotal point as the fourth week of his sex trafficking trial concludes in New York City. Nora Ramm introduces the segment, highlighting the emotional testimony from an alleged victim [03:20].

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento details the court proceedings at [04:00], explaining that a woman, identified as "Jane" to protect her identity, testified under distress. Jane recounted that after dating Combs in 2021, he involved her in sexual encounters with male escorts. Initially consenting, she later resisted these “hotel nights,” which she described as “staying up 20 to 30 hours straight, taking multiple doses of drugs” [04:00]. Jane stated that while Combs provided financial support by paying her rent, her attempts to decline participation in these encounters were met with reminders of his financial contributions. Combs' defense maintains that the relationship was consensual and does not constitute sex trafficking [04:00].

7. Sports: Coco Gauff Wins French Open

In a triumphant sports update, Nora Ramm announces that Coco Gauff, the second seed from the United States, has won the French Open. Gauff defeated the top seed, Irina Sabalenka of Belarus, marking her first French Open title and her second major trophy overall after her 2023 U.S. Open victory against the same opponent [04:44]. This achievement solidifies Gauff's standing in women's tennis and highlights her rapid rise in the sport [04:44].

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