NPR News: 07-22-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

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

Host: Kristen Wright

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. The Republican led House will leave for its August recess early in a showdown over late disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffre Epstein. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports. Key bills haven't been able to reach the House floor amid the fight to release Epstein records.

[Mike Johnson]

Republicans effectively shut down the House panel that sends bills to the floor after Democrats forced votes to release the Epstein files. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters the records may contain the names of innocent people.

[Unnamed Republican Lawmaker]

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.

[Mike Johnson]

Johnson has been backtracking since he told a conservative podcast last week it was time to release the files. Now lawmakers will go home Wednesday for a nearly six week recess to try to ice a controversy that's fueling deep divides for Republicans. Claudia Rizales, NPR News, the Capitol.

[Kristen Wright]

The White House says the US And Indonesia have agreed to a framework for a trade deal. It comes just days ahead of the August August 1 deadline. NPR's Deepa Shivram has more.

[Deepa Shivram]

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said the agreement includes, quote, eliminating 99% of their tariff barriers and a 19 tariff on products coming from Indonesia to the U.S. trump posted that Indonesia will also supply the U.S. with critical minerals and sign on to deals to purchase things like Boeing planes from the U.S. the framework also includes agreements in regards to labor practices in Indonesia. A White House statement says the country would ban ban the importation of goods produced by forced labor and move to strengthen workers rights. The agreement isn't final, though, and according to a statement by the White House, the details will be negotiated in the coming weeks. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine and Russia will hold their next round of peace talks Wednesday in Turkey. NPR's Polina Litvinova reports from Kyiv that Zelensky has discussed with negotiators what he expects.

[Polina Litvinova]

The Ukrainian president said his delegation would work on the return of the prisoners of war and deported children to Ukraine and preparation of a meeting between himself and President Vladimir Putin. This meeting will be the third after the direct talks between Ukraine and Russia renewed during the last two meetings. The two countries succeeded only in terms of the release of the prisoners of war from both sides, but didn't make progress in establishing a ceasefire and solving territorial issues. Polina Litvinova, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Kristen Wright]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 179 points today. The Nasdaq closed down 81. This is NPR News. A biotech company is temporarily halting all shipments of its gene therapy to treat a rare disease. NPR's Sidney Lupkin reports that the announcement comes days after the company pushed back against the Food and Drug Administration.

[Sidney Lupkin]

Sarepta Therapeutics says it is stopping all shipments of elevidis, a gene therapy for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The company is working with the FDA to update the gene therapy's safety label. The FDA announced last week that it asked Sarepta to pause shipments after three patients died of acute liver failure. Sarepta had already paused shipments of elevidis for patients unable to walk following the deaths. It initially resisted doing so for patients still able to walk, saying there was no new applicable safety data. CEO said the decision to pause all shipments was painful but necessary to ensure a good relationship with the agency. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has died. Osbourne led the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. His music became a soundtrack of sorts at the height of the Vietnam War and resonated with generations of fans. He became known as the Prince of Darkness. Osbourne dealt with substance abuse and eventually left the band and had a solo career. Decades later, he garnered a new fan base following his reality TV show the Osbournes. In 2020, he shared that he had an aggressive form of Parkinson's disease. He was 76. I'm Kristen Wright, and this is NPR News.

[NPR Sponsor]

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