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Today’s top stories
A federal judge freed Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention. Abrego Garcia had been deported to El Salvador in March after Immigration and Customs Enforcement described the removal as an “administrative error.” He was later brought back to the U.S. and detained. The judge found the government failed to produce a lawful order for his removal. The White House says it will appeal. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers called the ruling an extraordinary victory for due process. Democrats invited family members of people who were deported or detained to the hearing to illustrate the impact of immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, questioned by lawmakers, said she believes immigrants admitted under the Biden administration pose a major national security threat; her department is reopening cases of refugees admitted under Biden and seeking a review of asylum applications.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any decision to cede territory would require the Ukrainian people to speak through a referendum. The U.S. has pressed Ukraine to consider territorial concessions as part of a peace deal with Russia. Zelenskyy and European partners are exploring options to address pressure from the Trump administration’s proposals while showing Ukraine is negotiating in good faith. Giving up land is a red line for many Ukrainians; Zelenskyy has discussed the possibility of elections within 90 days or a referendum on parts of eastern Ukraine to help end the war. Ukraine remains under martial law because of the Russian invasion, the constitution bars elections during wartime, and public-opinion polls indicate most Ukrainians oppose holding elections now.
The Indiana Senate voted 31 to 19 against a congressional redistricting plan urged by President Trump to help Republicans next year. The defeat came in a chamber where 40 of 50 senators are Republicans and marked the first time members of Trump’s own party voted against his redistricting push. Nationwide, redistricting efforts have already tilted outcomes in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina. Indiana State Sen. Spencer Deery said redistricting for political gain conflicted with his conservative principles and he would resist federal pressure. Other lawmakers said constituents rejected the new map. Analysts say Republicans still appear to have gained a slight advantage overall: Texas may net the GOP up to five additional seats, Missouri and North Carolina one each, while California Democrats have tilted about five seats their way. It remains to be seen whether other states will follow Trump’s redistricting appeals.
Life advice
Interior designer Vern Yip suggests stepping away from social media for design inspiration and looking to real-world sources when refreshing a home. In his book Color Pattern Texture: The Foundation to Make Your Home Your Own, he recommends hands-on approaches that prioritize how a room feels as well as how it looks.
– Trendy online decor like peel-and-stick options may photograph well but often lack the feel of real materials; use a quality rug as a temporary fix until you can afford a full update.
– Shop yard sales and thrift stores for affordable, often higher-quality secondhand pieces.
– When choosing paint colors, consider how tones interact with your skin and the light in a room; some colors can make you look washed out.
Weekend picks
What NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:
– Movies: Jay Kelly, a George Clooney film about an aging movie star traveling through Europe; plus a theater roundup of new releases.
– TV: The Abandons, a Western series described as a soap-opera-style frontier drama.
– Books: Final noteworthy titles of 2025, including The Sea Captain’s Wife and The Rest of Our Lives.
– Music: Six Spanish-language artists that caught Alt.Latino’s attention this year and broader coverage of 2025’s best music.
– Food: A selection of 10 cookbooks from 2025.
– Quiz: Test your knowledge with this week’s news quiz.
3 things to know before you go
1. The Walt Disney Company reached a three-year licensing agreement with OpenAI to bring Disney characters and images to Sora for video creation and sharing.
2. British archaeologists report the earliest evidence of humans making fire, suggesting controlled fire use may date back more than 350,000 years earlier than previously known.
3. After a breast cancer diagnosis, Gillian Kline said an HR colleague helped her navigate a last-day insurance decision and provided crucial support beyond logistics, an example of unexpected workplace kindness.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
