Loading summary
Transcript15 lines
- [00:01]
NPR Sponsor/Underwriter Announcer
Support for NPR and the following message come from Spectrum Business with connectivity solutions to help your business stay online and on reliable connections, responsive support and tailored solutions. Spectrum.com business restrictions apply. Services not available in all areas.
- [00:19]
NPR News Anchor
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Israel and Lebanon have a preliminary peace deal after months of conflict between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezboll. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says it's a great achievement and that allows his military to remain in territory it occupied in southern Lebanon. A Hezbollah official warned of Civil War. President Trump's religious liberty commission has provided recommendations. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports on one way he's trying to cement his base ahead of the midterms.
- [00:53]
NPR Reporter Danielle Kurtzleben
The commission interviewed more than 100 people, some of whom said their religious liberty had been threatened. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick served as commission chair.
- [01:02]
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
And what was used against them was one phrase that's not in the Constitution, and that phrase is separation of church and state. The left has used that one phrase that was one line out of one of hundreds of letters by Thomas Jefferson to batter and hammer people of faith for the last 70 to 80 years.
- [01:21]
NPR Reporter Danielle Kurtzleben
The report recommends that the Justice Department clarify the meaning of separation of church and state. It also recommends strengthening school choice and issuing note your rights posters about religious freedom. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.
- [01:35]
NPR News Anchor
President Trump is threatening a 100% tariff on any country that imposes a tax on digital services from the US like search engines, social media sites and online marketplaces. In an online post, Trump singled out European countries that he said are discussing imminent implementation of taxes on American companies. The Supreme Court has ruled the president does not have unlimited authority to impose tariffs. A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the case of the man accused of starting last year's deadly Palisades fire in la. As Steve Futterman reports, a new trial date has been set for October after
- [02:07]
NPR Reporter Steve Futterman
three days of deliberating. The jury told the judge it was deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict after the mistrial was declared. The jury foreman told the court jurors were split 10 to 2 in favor of acquittal. Defense attorney Steve Haney said he would have preferred a not guilty verdict, but was generally pleased.
- [02:27]
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
You know, anytime you get a hung jury, some attorneys look at that as a victory. A 10 to 2 decision is also pretty resoundingly favorable for the defense.
- [02:36]
NPR Reporter Steve Futterman
What he wasn't pleased about was the decision by the U.S. attorney's office here in LA to retry the case. The prosecution said Jonathan Rinderkinesht was motivated by anger at society. The defense suggested New Year's Eve fireworks might be the cause. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.
- [02:55]
NPR News Anchor
People in Venezuela are desperately searching for loved ones after two powerful earthquakes. Earthquakes Earthquakes struck Wednesday. More than 900 deaths have been confirmed and up to 40,000 missing. Thousands are without cell service. The United nations has urged Venezuela to lift social media restrictions to aid the search. Social media has become crucial for finding missing people. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A federal lawsuit accuses gas station operators in California of using AI powered software to illegally collude and raise prices. The proposed class action lawsuit targets companies like Marathon and Circle K allegedly violating antitrust laws with fuel pricing software, Calibrate. The lawsuit says Calibrate helps coordinate high prices and discourages operators from lowering them. The House Oversight Committee has served subpoenas to a billionaire who made payments to Jeffrey Epstein. Lawmakers questioned Leon Black today about his connection with Epstein, but they say he refused to answer some questions. NPR's Eva Berger reports.
- [03:56]
NPR Reporter Eva Berger
Lawmakers said Black walked out of the interview. When pressed on his ties with Epstein, House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, told reporters that he's now issuing two subpoenas for Black. He says he wants copies of supposed non disclosure agreements Black allegedly signed with survivors of Epstein's abuse and he wants to depose Black under oath.
- [04:17]
NPR Reporter Steve Futterman
This is a result of refusing to answer specific questions about the NDAs and the terms.
- [04:24]
NPR Reporter Eva Berger
Black has denied any allegations of wrongdoing. His lawyer says in a statement that Black, quote, never engaged in sex trafficking and never paid Epstein for access to women. Eva Berger, NPR News, Greece has launched
- [04:37]
NPR News Anchor
a cash incentive to catch toxic silver cheeked toadfish as the invasive species spreads throughout the Mediterranean. The fish's organs contain a deadly neurotoxin. It's damaged fishing nets and reduced catches. Authorities are paying five and a third euros per kilogram to remove the species, which will be frozen and incinerated. It's npr.
- [04:59]
NPR Sponsor/Underwriter Announcer
This message comes from Indiana University. Strengthening tomorrow's workforce. IU grads make a difference in your community. Serving as teachers, nurses and engineers who rise to tomorrow's challenges and meet them more at iu.edu impact.