NPR News: 07-05-2025 11PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 5, 2025, 11 PM EDT Summary

Released on July 6, 2025

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Texas Flooding: Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [00:19]

NPR News begins with a somber update on the severe flooding in Texas. The death toll continues to climb, with Kerr County emerging as the hardest-hit area. As of the latest reports, 43 individuals have lost their lives in Kerr County, including at least 15 children.

Quotes:

• Dale Willman: “The death toll from flooding in Texas is continuing to rise.” [00:19]
• Dalton Rice, Kerrville City Manager: “The focus right now is on search and rescue and I'm asking residents to remain vigilant.” [00:19]

A local official echoed the urgency, advising residents to stay within their immediate areas and avoid major flood zones to ensure their safety. The official emphasized the hazardous conditions, stating, “Everything is still, you know, very, very dangerous, very hazardous conditions.” [00:37]

Tragically, at least 27 children who were attending a girls' summer camp remain missing, with authorities cautious about disclosing additional missing persons as rescue operations continue.

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Tropical Storm Chantal: South Carolina Braces for Impact

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [00:53]

In addition to the flooding woes in Texas, Tropical Storm Chantal is set to make landfall in South Carolina overnight. Meteorologists forecast heavy rainfall across the coastal plains of the Carolinas, with totals potentially reaching 6 inches. These conditions heighten the risk of flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

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Hamas Shows Cautious Optimism Towards Ceasefire with Israel

Reporter: Jane Araf
Timestamp: [00:53]

Amidst ongoing conflicts, Hamas leaders have expressed cautious optimism about a proposed ceasefire agreement with Israel. After consultations with various Palestinian factions, Hamas submitted a positive response to the latest mediation efforts aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war.

Quotes:

• Jane Araf: “Hamas, after consulting with Palestinian factions inside and outside Gaza, said Saturday it submitted a positive response to mediators on the latest proposal to end the almost two year long war.” [01:29]
• Hamas Statement: “Its decision was aimed at ending what it called the genocidal war in Gaza.” [01:29]

Israel has indicated readiness to participate in talks, with a delegation set to travel to Qatar to discuss the ceasefire, potentially involving US-brokered proposals. The humanitarian toll remains dire, with 57,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, killed since the conflict began in 2023, compared to 1,200 Israelis and foreigners lost in the initial Hamas assault.

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President Trump Signals Imminent US-China Talks on TikTok

Reporter: John Ruich
Timestamp: [02:20]

In the realm of international relations and technology, President Trump announced that fresh negotiations with China regarding TikTok may commence as early as Monday or Tuesday. He indicated that a deal is "pretty much in place," suggesting a potential resolution to the ongoing tensions over the Chinese-owned social media platform.

Quotes:

• President Trump: “Talks with China would start on Monday or Tuesday, and those could involve Chinese leaders, leader Xi Jinping or one of his representatives.” [02:32]
• Trump: “A deal would be good for China and the United States.” [02:32]

The current administration has imposed a ban on TikTok in the United States due to national security concerns, mandating that its parent company, ByteDance, relinquish control of its US operations. While TikTok has been granted temporary reprieves, the latest extension allows it to operate until mid-September aboard Air Force One. Details of the prospective deal remain undisclosed, and Trump emphasized the necessity of Chinese approval for any agreement to move forward.

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Colombian Authorities Arrest Suspect in Attempted Assassination of Senator Miguel Urube

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [03:13]

In political news from Colombia, authorities have successfully arrested Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez in Bogota, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the attack on Senator and presidential candidate Miguel Urube. The incident occurred on June 7 during a campaign appearance, leaving Urube seriously wounded.

Quotes:

• Dale Willman: “Authorities there say 57,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been killed since the war began in 2023.” [This quote seems out of place; likely a transcript error.]

Hernandez faces multiple charges, including homicide, as investigations continue to determine the motive behind the attack. The political climate remains tense as the nation grapples with security concerns amid the ongoing search for motives.

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World Beard and Mustache Championships Shine in Pittsburgh

Reporter: Eliyahu Ghassan
Timestamp: [03:54]

Switching to lighter news, Pittsburgh recently hosted the 2025 World Beard and Mustache Championships, attracting competitors from around the globe. The event showcased an array of elaborate facial hairstyles, from goatees and sideburns to intricately braided beards.

Quotes:

• Eliyahu Ghassan: “Let the championships begin and may the best beards win.” [03:54]
• Eliyahu Ghassan: “This facial hair isn't grown, it's engineered.” [03:58]
• Eliyahu Ghassan: “Proceeds from this World Beard and Mustache Championship go to charity in the Pittsburgh region.” [04:21]

Participants competed in various categories, including Full Beard Natural (10 to 20 centimeters) and Alaskan Wailer (a full beard without a mustache). The biennial championships not only celebrate grooming artistry but also support local charities, fostering community spirit and philanthropy.

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PGA Classic: Davis Thompson Takes the Lead with Crucial Putt

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [04:34]

In sports news, Davis Thompson made a remarkable 10-foot putt for a birdie on the final hole of Saturday’s round at the PGA Classic in Illinois. His successful putt brought him to a score of 67, propelling him into the lead amidst a tight competition.

Quotes:

• Dale Willman: “The putt allowed him to break out of a five way tie for first with one round remaining.” [04:34]
• Dale Willman: “It's been a close competition so far. Earlier in the day, 10 players were tied for first and all 14 players are within four shots of the lead.” [04:34]

With only one round remaining, the PGA Classic remains fiercely contested, keeping golf enthusiasts on edge as players vie for the championship title.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics covered in the July 5, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full broadcast.

Transcript

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This message comes from DataIQ. Take control of AI's raw power with DataIQ, the universal AI platform built for trust and designed to scale. @Dataiku.com NPR D A T A I K U.com NPR.

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The death toll from flooding in Texas is continuing to rise. Kerr county was the hardest hit with 43 dead, and at least 15 of those killed were children. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice says the focus right now is on search and rescue and he's asking residents to remain vigilant.

[Local Official]

Best thing you can do, especially right in your small local area. Don't go out into major areas. Public works mentioned. Just, hey, pick up a little bit of debris in your trash cans or your trash bags. You know, keep it local, but stay out of the major areas. You know, everything is still, you know, very, very dangerous, very hazardous conditions.

[Dale Willman]

At least 27 children who were at a girls summer camp remain missing, and officials won't say how many other people have yet to be found. Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to hit South Carolina overnight. Heavy rain is predicted across portions of the coastal plains of the Carolinas through Monday. Weather officials say rainfall totals could reach 6 inches and the rains could cause flash flooding in some areas. Hamas leaders say they and other Palestinian groups in Gaza are cautiously optimistic about a proposed ceasefire agreement with Israel. NPR's Jane Araf has more on that story.

[Jay Niraf]

Hamas, after consulting with Palestinian factions inside and outside Gaza, said Saturday it submitted a positive response to mediators on the latest proposal to end the almost two year long war. Israeli media quoted a senior Israeli official saying Israel would send a delegation to Qatar for talks on the U s brokered ceasefire proposal. Hamas had already agreed to attend. Hamas said in a statement its decision was aimed at ending what it called the genocidal war in Gaza. Authorities there say 57,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have been killed since the war began in 2023. Israel says about 1200 Israelis and foreigners were killed in the initial Hamas attack. Jay Niraf, NPR News, Damascus.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump says fresh talks with China may start as soon as Monday or Tuesday on the fate of the short video app TikTok. And he says there's pretty much a deal in place. NPS John Ruich reports a law that.

[John Ruich]

Took effect in January bans TikTok in the United States on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company ByteDance, doesn't relinquish control of its US arm. President Trump has given TikTok three reprieves, though in the form of enforcement extensions. The latest allows it to operate until mid September on Air Force One. Late on Friday, Trump said there was already pretty much a deal for the hugely popular app. He said talks with China would start on Monday or Tuesday, and those could involve Chinese leaders, leader Xi Jinping or one of his representatives. For the deal to go ahead, it would probably require Chinese approval, Trump said, adding that a deal would be good for China and the United States. Trump did not offer details of the deal. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Officials in Colombia say they've arrested the alleged mastermind behind the shooting of senator and presidential candidate Miguel Urube. Turbe Urbe was seriously wounded during a campaign appearance on June 7. Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez was arrested in Bogota. He faces a number of charges, including homicide. A motive for the attack remains under investigation. Pittsburgh hosted some of the world's most elaborate facial hair this week. Competitors from across the globe traveled to the Steel city for the 2025 World Beard and Mustache Championships. WESA's Eliyahu Ghassan has our story.

[Eliyahu Ghassan]

Let the championships begin and may the best beards win.

Goatees, sideburns, beards braided like ropes. This facial hair isn't grown, it's engineered. And it's competing in categories like full beard natural 10 to 20 centimeters, and Alaskan wailer, which is a full beard without a mustache.

Everything else aside, it's usually the cause. This is an amazing group of people who will rally together for just about any cause you could think of.

Proceeds from this World Beard and Mustache Championship go to charity in the Pittsburgh region. The championships happen every two years. In 2027, they'll be in Blackpool, England. For NPR News, I'm Eliyahu Gasson in Pittsburgh.

[Dale Willman]

Davis Thompson sank a 10 foot putt for a birdie on his final hole Saturday at the PGA Classic underway in Illinois for 67 and the lead. The putt allowed him to break out of a five way tie for first with one round remaining. It's been a close competition so far. Earlier in the day, 10 players were tied for first and all 14 players are within four shots of the lead. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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