Congress returns to the Capitol today with Republican leaders under pressure to release the Epstein files.

There's also the small matter of funding the entire federal government. So how's that going to work?

I'm Steve Inskeep with Leila Fadl, and this is up first from NPR News.

The former president of Brazil goes on trial today accused of plotting a coup.

President Trump applied pressure for his preferred verdict, and some Brazilians support that.

Basically, Trump is restoring the democracy of Brazil.

What's the evidence against the ex-president?

And authorities in Afghanistan say they need the world's help with rescue efforts after an earthquake that's killed hundreds and injured thousands.

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Congress returns to Capitol Hill today after an August recess that was anything but quiet.

Angry constituents confronted some lawmakers at town halls across the country.

They focused on economic turmoil and presidential overreach.

And now lawmakers face those same issues in Washington, where a government shutdown deadline comes at the end of this month.

Joining us now is NPR congressional correspondent Claudia at Grisales. Hi, Claudia.

Good morning, Leila. Good morning. So the last date of fun, the government, is September 30th. Could the government shut down by the end of the month?

It's possible. That's the hardest job on tap for lawmakers as the parties remain deeply divided.

Many House Republicans want to see another stopgap measure to keep funding level static,

but Democrats want a regular appropriations plan. Then underlying all this, we have seen this Republican-led Congress

see their power of the purse to the president. The most

recent example happening this past week, when the president unilaterally clawed back billions

...