NPR News Now: July 22, 2025, 7 PM EDT

Host: Kristen Wright

1. Republican-Led House Takes Early August Recess Amid Epstein Records Showdown

[00:20] Kristen Wright opens the episode by highlighting the Republican-led House's decision to enter an early August recess. This move stems from a heated conflict over the release of records related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.

[00:41] Mike Johnson, House Speaker, revealed that Republicans have effectively shut down the House panel responsible for advancing bills to the floor. This action follows Democratic efforts to compel the release of Epstein's files. Johnson expressed concerns that the records might include names of innocent individuals, stating, "The records may contain the names of innocent people" (00:56).

An unnamed Republican lawmaker emphasized the party's dual responsibility: "We have a moral responsibility to expose the evil of Epstein and everybody was involved in that. Absolutely, and we're resolved to do it. But we also have an equal moral responsibility to protect the innocent" (00:56).

Johnson has been attempting to backtrack from his previous stance, where he advocated for the release of the files on a conservative podcast last week. The decision to recess aims to quell a controversy that is deepening divisions within the Republican ranks.

Claudia Grisales, reporting from the Capitol, provides ongoing coverage of this political standoff.

2. U.S. and Indonesia Forge Framework for Trade Deal

[01:27] The White House announced a tentative agreement between the United States and Indonesia on a trade deal framework, narrowly missing the August 1 deadline. This development was detailed by Deepa Shivram.

President Trump, via a post on Truth Social, highlighted key provisions of the agreement: "eliminating 99% of their tariff barriers and a 19% tariff on products coming from Indonesia to the U.S." (01:38). Additionally, the framework includes Indonesia supplying the U.S. with critical minerals and committing to purchase U.S. products such as Boeing planes.

The agreement also addresses labor practices in Indonesia, with commitments to ban the importation of goods produced by forced labor and to strengthen workers' rights. However, the White House clarified that the deal is not yet final, with further negotiations slated for the coming weeks.

3. Ukraine and Russia to Engage in Peace Talks in Turkey

[02:20] President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine announced plans for the next round of peace talks with Russia, scheduled to take place in Turkey. Polina Litvinova, reporting from Kyiv, elaborates on the objectives of these negotiations.

Zelensky stated that his delegation aims to secure the return of prisoners of war and deported children to Ukraine. Moreover, he seeks to arrange a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking the third encounter following the resumption of direct talks in previous sessions.

While past meetings yielded the release of prisoners from both sides, significant challenges remain in achieving a ceasefire and resolving territorial disputes. Zelensky remains hopeful that these upcoming talks will bridge some of the persistent gaps between the two nations.

4. Stock Market Movements and Sarepta Therapeutics Suspends Gene Therapy Shipments

[03:08] Financial markets saw mixed results as the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up by 179 points, whereas the Nasdaq dipped by 81 points.

In biotech news, Sidney Lupkin reports that Sarepta Therapeutics has temporarily halted all shipments of its gene therapy, Elevidis, designed to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This suspension follows the company's reluctance to pause shipments despite recent fatalities.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously requested Sarepta to halt distribution after three patients experienced acute liver failure (03:35). Initially, Sarepta only paused shipments for non-ambulatory patients, citing a lack of new safety data for those still able to walk. However, Sarepta's CEO acknowledged the necessity of the full suspension to maintain a positive relationship with the FDA, describing the decision as "painful but necessary" (03:35).

The company is currently collaborating with the FDA to update Elevidis's safety label to address these serious concerns.

5. Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal Icon

[04:15] In a somber note, Kristen Wright announces the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Osbourne, often dubbed the "Prince of Darkness," was instrumental in shaping the soundscape of the Vietnam War era and resonated with generations of fans through his powerful music.

Throughout his career, Osbourne battled substance abuse, leading to his departure from Black Sabbath and embarking on a successful solo career. He later captivated a new audience with his reality TV show, "The Osbournes." In 2020, Osbourne publicly disclosed his diagnosis with an aggressive form of Parkinson's disease. He passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a monumental legacy in the world of music.

[05:00] Note: The following segment includes sponsorship content and is not covered in this summary.

This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode on July 22, 2025. For comprehensive coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.