Fed Keeps Interest Rates, Texas Redistricting, US Middle East Envoy In Israel

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady this week despite demands for lower rates from President Trump, Republicans in Texas released a proposal for a new state congressional map, and the US special envoy to the Middle East is traveling to Israel at a moment when the UN warns Gaza is on the verge of all out famine.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Rafael Nam, Ben Swasey, Hannah Bloch, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The UK says it will recognize a Palestinian state if Israel doesn't act to end deaths from starvation. Trump's EPA wants to reverse course on CO2 emissions standards. And, Jeffrey Epstein's confidant Ghislaine Maxwell says she will speak with lawmakers in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Bloch, Jason Breslow, Kara Platoni, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A gunman shot and killed four people — including a police officer — at an office building in midtown Manhattan. During his four-day trip to Scotland, President Trump made several deals, including a new US-EU trade agreement. And, the aid situation has changed in Gaza now that Israel has relaxed the rules for aid deliveries.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Miguel Macias, Hannah Bloch, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Steve Inskeep speaks with former U.S. Secretary for Transportation Pete Buttigieg about where Democrats went wrong, how they can regain public trust, and why so many Americans don't believe what the government tells them about the Epstein files. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. This bonus episode of Up First was edited Reena Advani. It was produced by Phil Harrell. We get engineering support from Cena Loffredo. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump spent the weekend in Scotland where he announced a new tariff deal with the European Union. Following days of global outrage about images of starvation in Gaza, the Israeli military announced a daily pause in fighting and a revival of aid airdrops, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg weighs in on the path ahead for the Democratic party.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Hannah Bloch, Miguel Macias, Reena Advani, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Since Donald Trump's reelection, the Justice Department is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Once guided by norms of independence from the White House, the department now appears closely aligned with the president's personal agenda. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe and Justice Correspondent Ryan Lucas look at how Trump's new team—many of them his former personal attorneys—are reshaping the DOJ's mission, from the handling of specific prosecutions to sweeping changes in the Civil Rights Division. Critics call it the weaponization of justice; supporters say it's a long-overdue course correction.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump is spending the weekend in Scotland, but he can't get away from questions about his disgraced former friend, Jeffrey Epstein. Some people held at the immigrant detention center in Florida's Everglades say they are experiencing inhumane conditions and abuse at the hands of guards. Anxiety persists about where the economy is headed, but right now the stock market is hitting record highs. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

President Trump personally inspected renovations of the Federal Reserve's headquarters as part of a pressure campaign on chair Jerome Powell, House Republicans are being asked questions back home about the push to release records related to Jeffrey Epstein, and France intends to recognise a Palestinian state. Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Padmananda Rama, Hannah Bloch, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Christopher Thomas and Claire Murashima. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. And our executive producer is Jay Shaylor. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The White House is pushing against the wave of questions around the release of Jeffrey Epstein documents, Columbia University agreed to pay over $220 million to the federal government in order to resolve investigations and restore access to federal research funding, and President Trump signed an executive order instructing tech companies to address what he labeled "woke AI."Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter. Today's episode of Up First was edited by Dana Farrington, Steve Drummond, Brett Neely, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

House Republicans went home early for summer recess to avoid dragging out a fight over the Jeffrey Epstein saga, President Trump's spy chief published Obama-era emails claiming a conspiracy, and dozens of Columbia students are being suspended or expelled for their participation in pro-Palestinian protests.Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Kelsey Snell, Krishnadev Calamur, Denice Rios, Janaya Williams and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy