NPR News: 04-24-2026 11PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Arakshi is in Islamabad, Pakistan, but it's not clear if U.S.-Aran peace talks will take place this weekend, as the White House has said they will. In a social media statement, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman says no meeting is planned. But as Betsy Joel's reports, Islamabad has been locked down for days, in anticipation of another round of talks. In addition to Islamabad, Arakshi said in a post on X that he'll also visit Muskat and Moscow, for discussions, unquote, bilateral matters. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Arakshi would hold meetings with its senior leadership. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt told Fox News that Jared Kushner and Steve Whitcoff would travel to Pakistan on Saturday for talks. Arakshi did not say if he would participate in talks with the U.S. in Pakistan. For NPR News, I'm Betsy Joel's in Islamabad. Palestinian health officials say at least 11 people were killed Friday in Israeli strikes

1:03in Gaza. And afternoon drone attack near a police checkpoint in northwestern Gaza City killed two Palestinians and injured two others. And Friday evening, another strike hit a police vehicle in southern Gaza, at least seven people were killed. And a third strike in northern Gaza killed a woman and a child. A federal court of appeals has ruled that President Trump's ban on asylum at the southern border is unlawful. As NPR's Sergio Martinez-Beltrend reports, it's a blow for the proclamation that Trump signed his first day in office. Back in January 2025, the White House said that suspending asylum at the southern border was meant to prevent immigrants, participating in a quote, invasion from coming to the U.S. But now that this is circuit court of appeals has ruled, Trump's proclamation circumvents the removal procedures crafted by Congress. The court also says the administration's policy cast aside the federal laws that give people the opportunity to claim asylum. Immigrant rights groups say they're ruling is a victory for those seeking safety and protection

2:05at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sergio Martinez-Beltrend in PR News. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says the fire watch will remain extremely high throughout the weekend there. Two fires in the southeastern part of the state have already destroyed dozens of structures including homes. The Southside Baptist Church in the Hanta, Georgia is offering shelter for those who had to evacuate. Michael Gibson is there tonight with his family. And in Florida, a volunteer firefighter has died this week battling a wildfire there. It was a mixed day on Wall Street trading today. The Dow lost 79 points to finish the day at 49,230, the S&P 500 gained 56 points and the NASDAQ gained 398 points. You're listening to NPR News. Abortion is legal again in Wyoming. That's after a judge temporarily blocked what's considered a six-week ban while litigation

3:08continues. Wyoming Public Radio's Hannah Merzbach reports. Christine Lichtenfeld was delighted by the news. She's a board member at Chelsea's Fund, which helps people access abortions. We are so relieved that women in Wyoming will be able to exercise their fundamental right again to make a decision about whether or not to terminate their pregnancy. Lichtenfeld is part of the group suing to block the Human Heart Beat Act, which was an effect for almost two months. It bans abortion when cardiac activities detected at about six weeks. The president of Wyoming right to life says she's quote, terribly disappointed in the state's judiciary. Litigation will continue in district court. For NPR News, I'm Hannah Merzbach and Jackson Wyoming. Members of the Screenwriter's Union have ratified a four-year deal with Hollywood studios. Union leaders say 90% voted in favor of the deal. It was a relatively smooth process compared to the prolonged strike of 2023. Union leaders say workers will see gains in health coverage and minimum pay hikes.

4:09Members, though, were still negotiating their contract. Now the court accarded eight birdies on Friday at the LPGA Championship underway in Houston this weekend. That gives her a seven-stroke lead going into Saturday's penultimate round. She finished the day with her second straight 65, giving court a her lowest 36-hole total in a major event ever. Twenty-year-old amateur affair O'Keefe shot a 69 to tie for second with Ryan O'Toole. I'm Dale Wilman and P.R. News.