NPR News: 07-26-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: July 26, 2025

On this episode of NPR News Now, a range of significant global and national events were covered, including President Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland, ongoing legal proceedings involving Ghislaine Maxwell, the incarceration of former Congressman George Santos, a major mercury smuggling bust in Peru, the passing of renowned British jazz singer Cleo Lane, and a brief overview of Wall Street's performance. Below is a detailed summary of each key topic discussed in the episode.

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President Trump Visits Scotland Amid Protests

Host Intro: Dale Willman opened the episode at [00:20] with news about President Donald Trump’s arrival in Scotland for a long weekend, highlighting both his scheduled activities and the anticipated public response.

Key Details: President Trump is set to enjoy leisure time playing golf and engage in meetings with UK leaders during his stay in Scotland. However, his visit is expected to be met with significant opposition, leading to widespread protests across the country.

Security Measures: Fatima Al Kassab reported from Edinburgh at [00:37], detailing the extensive security operations implemented to manage Trump's visit. Roads have been closed, and the country’s airspace has been restricted to ensure safety during the President’s engagements at two of his golf courses located on opposite sides of Scotland.

Protests Organized: Elena Ivanova of the Stop Trump Coalition, reported at [00:52], emphasized the diverse participation in the protests, stating, “There will be a lot of local community groups represented, active campaigns and just regular people. We know people are traveling from Dundee, from Perth, from all over the place.”

Controversial Protests: During the visit, some demonstrators have been making provocative statements. At [01:05], Al Kassab noted that protesters displayed signs at one of Trump’s golf resorts, declaring it twinned with "Epstein Island." This reference ties Trump to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, adding a layer of controversy to the President’s trip.

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Ghislaine Maxwell Completes Interviews with Justice Department

Legal Proceedings: At [01:21], Dale Willman transitioned to the legal arena, reporting on Ghislaine Maxwell’s recent interactions with federal authorities. Maxwell, known for her association with Jeffrey Epstein, has concluded her second day of interviews with the Justice Department officials.

Attorney’s Statement: Maxwell’s attorney, David Marcus, addressed speculations regarding potential clemency. At [01:36], Marcus clarified, “We haven't asked for anything. This is not a situation where we're asking for anything in return for testimony or anything like that. Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief. She's been in very difficult conditions for five years and so she would welcome any relief. It's the right thing to do and we have faith that the right thing will happen sooner rather than later.”

Political Repercussions for Trump: Willman highlighted the mounting pressure on President Trump from within his own party to clarify his past associations with Epstein, especially in light of Maxwell’s ongoing legal challenges.

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Former Congressman George Santos Reported to Federal Prison

Incarceration Update: At [02:03], Dale Willman reported on the downfall of former New York Congressman George Santos. Santos has been officially reported to a federal prison in Fairton, New Jersey, where he is set to begin a seven-year sentence.

Criminal Activities: Ben Feuerhard from WNYC provided an in-depth look at Santos’s criminal activities, stating, “Santos, who briefly represented parts of New York City and nearby suburbs, pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and identity theft charges. Federal prosecutors say Santos committed a host of crimes in the lead up to his election in 2022. They include embezzling funds from donors, stealing identities and charging credit cards without authorization.”

Political Impact: Santos’s actions led to his expulsion from Congress in 2023 after a House ethics committee uncovered substantial evidence of misconduct and illegal activities. His recent social media post at [03:09] hinted at his withdrawal from public life, stating, “he may be leaving the stage for now, but that legend's never truly exit.”

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Peru Seizes Record Amount of Smuggled Mercury

Environmental Crime Bust: Dale Willman introduced a major environmental story at [03:09], reporting on Peru’s unprecedented seizure of 4 tons of smuggled mercury. This illegal activity is closely tied to the detrimental gold mining practices in the Amazon rainforest.

Details of the Seizure: Carrie Kunn from NPR elaborated at [03:39], “Custom officials working off an international intelligence tip say they found 4 tons of mercury hidden inside bags of gravel labeled as crushed stone. The bags were on a cargo ship bound for Bolivia, originating from Mexico, which Peruvian officials say is the source of much of smuggled mercury.”

Impact and Investigation: The Environmental Investigation Agency’s report indicates that over the past six years, at least 200 tons of mercury have been illegally transported to Amazonian countries. The surge in gold prices has escalated mercury demand, exacerbating environmental and public health crises. Mercury’s use in gold extraction contaminates air, water, and soil, posing severe risks to both wildlife and human populations.

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Passing of Renowned Jazz Singer Cleo Lane and Wall Street Update

Cleo Lane’s Legacy: At [04:25], Dale Willman announced the passing of Cleo Lane, a prominent figure in the British jazz scene. Lane, who was 97 years old, was celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest contributions to jazz. Her versatile career included performances of works by composers like Kurt Weil and Robert Schumann, as well as acting roles on stage and in film. Together with her husband, bandleader John Dankworth, Lane continued performing well into their 80s, showcasing their enduring passion for music.

Wall Street Performance: In a brief economic update, Willman reported a positive day on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up by 208 points, the NASDAQ increased by 50 points, and the S&P 500 ended the day with a 25-point gain, signaling a day of market optimism.

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Conclusion: This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with comprehensive coverage of pivotal events ranging from international politics and environmental issues to significant legal developments and cultural losses. Notable quotes and detailed reports offered a thorough understanding of each topic, ensuring that even those who did not listen to the podcast could stay informed on these crucial matters.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump has arrived in Scotland for a long weekend. He'll be playing golf and meeting UK leaders. He'll also be met with protests around the country. And President Pierre's Fatima Al Kassab reports from Edinburgh. A huge security operation is now underway.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Roads are closed and airspace is restricted as police prepare for the president to visit two of his golf courses on opposite sides of the country. Elena Ivanova is from the Stop Trump Coalition, which is organising protests in several Scottish cities.

[Elena Ivanova]

There will be a lot of local community groups represented, active campaigns and just regular people. We know people are traveling from Dundee, from Perth, from all over the place.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

This week, some protesters put up a sign at one of Trump's golf resorts declaring it twinned with Epstein Island, a reference to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a controversy that may follow the president on this trip. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, Edinburgh.

[Dale Willman]

Jeffrey Epstein's ex girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, has finished her second day of interviews with Justice Department officials. Afterward, her attorney, David Marcus, was was asked if they had requested clemency from President Trump in return for her speaking with government officials.

[David Marcus]

We haven't asked for anything. This is not a situation where we're asking anything in return for testimony or anything like that. Of course, everybody knows Ms. Maxwell would welcome any relief. She's been in very difficult conditions for five years and so she would welcome any relief. It's the right thing to do and we have faith that the right thing will happen sooner rather than later.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump, meanwhile, has been facing calls from within his own party for a greater explanation about his former relationship with the convicted sex offender. Former New York Congressman George Santos has reported to federal prison. His incarceration could mark the end of a swift rise and fall in politics, which prosecutors say started with fraud. Ben Feuerhard from member station WNYC has our reports.

[Ben Feuerhard]

A Bureau of Prison spokesperson says Santos reported to a federal prison in Fairton, New Jersey, where he'll begin his seven year sentence. Santos, who briefly represented parts of New York City and nearby suburbs, pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and identity theft charges. Federal prosecutors say Santos committed a host of crimes in the lead up to his election in 2022. They include embezzling funds from donors, stealing identities and charging credit cards without authorization. Santos was expelled from Congress in 2023 after a House ethics committee found substantial evidence of his misconduct and illegal activity. For NPR News, I'm Ben Feuerhard in Brooklyn, New York.

[Dale Willman]

Santos posted on social media Friday that he may be leaving the stage for now, but that legend's never truly exit. You're listening to NPR News. Officials in Peru say they've seized a record 4 tons of smuggled mercury. Mercury is used for illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest. The huge seizure comes as an investigation into mercury smuggling warns of deadly devastation affecting multiple Latin American countries. NPR's Carrie Kunn reports.

[Carrie Kunn]

Custom officials working off an international intelligence tip say they found 4 tons of mercury hidden inside bags of gravel labeled as crushed stone. The bags were on a cargo ship bound for Bolivia, originating from Mexico, which Peruvian officials say is the source of much of smuggled mercury. According to a new report by the Environmental Investigation Agency, a nonprofit group, at least 200 tons of mercury has been illegally smuggled to countries in the Amazon over the past six years. Soaring gold prices have boosted mercury demand. The highly dangerous chemical is used to extract gold from river sediments. The process leaves behind toxic residues in the air, air, water and ground, poisoning wildlife and people. Carrie Khan, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Dale Willman]

Singer Cleo Lane has died. She was regarded as perhaps Britain's greatest contribution to the jazz world. She was 97 years old. Lane's career crossed genres. She sang the songs of Kurt Weil and Robert Schumann and also acted on stage and in film. She and her husband, band leader John Dankworth, still performed past their 80th birthdays. It was a good day Friday on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 208 points, the NASDAQ finished up by 50 points, and the S&P 500 ended the day up 25 points. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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