NPR News: 07-05-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

Devastating Floods Devastate Texas Hill Country

In the early hours of July 4th, the Texas Hill Country was struck by one of the most severe floods in the state's history. Nora Raum reports that rescue teams are employing helicopters, boats, and drones in their search for those missing in the aftermath. Sergio Martinez Beltran details the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River, stating, “the Guadalupe river… rose about 26 feet within 45 minutes” (00:53). The floods have tragically resulted in at least 27 fatalities, including nine children, with dozens more missing after a church camp was swept away. As the region braces for more heavy rain, Roofs remain vulnerable, and flash flood watches and warnings are still active.

President Trump's Agenda: Middle East and Trade Policies

President Trump is slated to spend the day in Bedminster, New Jersey, amidst a packed schedule focusing on significant foreign policy and trade issues. Danielle Kurtzleben highlights that Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday as part of Trump's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This visit marks Netanyahu's third visit to the White House this year (01:34).

In addition to Middle Eastern diplomacy, Trump is intensifying his focus on trade. He plans to initiate the imposition of tariffs by sending letters to countries worldwide, informing them of the new tariff rates on their goods. This move follows his earlier decision in April to impose tariffs on most countries, which he later reduced to 10% after market instability. With a deadline set for July 9, Trump aims to finalize tariff agreements, having already secured deals with the UK and Vietnam (01:34).

Ukraine Strikes Russian Airfields Amid Escalating Conflict

Amid escalating tensions, Ukraine's air force has launched attacks on Russian military airfields. Joanna Kakis reports that Ukraine utilized drones and guided bombs to target these airfields, aiming to damage training and combat aircraft used to bombard Ukrainian cities (02:28). This strategic move is part of Ukraine's broader effort to weaken Russia's war capabilities as it continues to defend against increased Russian airstrikes.

However, support for Ukraine faces challenges as the Pentagon has suspended a shipment of air defense munitions destined for Ukraine, citing concerns over US supply shortages. Security analyst Hanna Schellist warns, “There are absolutely no guarantees that US will stand with partners when it is the crisis and then that US would have sufficient amount of ammunition to help or to fight” (02:57). Schellist further emphasizes that this decision could encourage Russia, undermining broader defense efforts (03:08).

Tropical Storm Chantal and Literary Bestsellers

The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Chantal, which is currently active in the Atlantic off the coast of South Carolina. The storm boasts maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour and is projected to make landfall late tonight or early tomorrow morning (03:14).

In literary news, Mel Robbins has achieved remarkable success with her book, "The Let Them Theory", which is currently the best-selling book of 2025. Andrew Limbong reports that Robbins succinctly explains her theory: “Any moment you feel stressed out, worried, annoyed, frustrated, in life, you just say let them” (03:49). The book has sold an impressive 1.7 million print copies this year, according to Sir Kana Bookscan. Following closely are Suzanne Collins’ "Sunrise on the Reaping" and Rebecca Yarros' "Empyrean" series, both securing spots in the top ten. Additionally, Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go" remains a perennial favorite, selling another 436,000 copies and ranking as the seventh best-selling book of the year (03:44).

Chester Zoo Celebrates Humboldt Penguin Chicks

In the United Kingdom, Chester Zoo is celebrating a heartwarming success with the hatching of ten Humboldt penguin chicks this spring. As one of the most endangered penguin species globally, this milestone is significant. The penguin parents at the zoo share parenting duties equally, demonstrating remarkable cooperation. Notably, one of the chicks has been adopted by two male penguins, Scampi and Flounder, who are experiencing parenthood for the first time. The chicks are now just days away from their first swimming lessons, marking an exciting milestone in their development (04:29).

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Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided.

Transcript

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[Nora Raum]

In Washington, I'm Nora Raum. Rescue teams are using helicopters, boats and drones to search for people missing after devastating floods in the Texas Hill country yesterday. A officials say at least 27 people died, including nine children. Dozens of children are missing after a church camp was swept away. More heavy rain is expected in the region today, with flash flood watches and warnings still in effect. NPR's Serio Martinez Beltran says it was one of the worst floods in the history of Texas, hitting before dawn on the Fourth of July.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

The river that runs through the area, the Guadalupe river, rose about 26ft within 45 minutes, according to state officials. And this happened during the early hours of Friday when many were asleep. And the devastation in this area, which is known as the Hill country, is incredible. This is an area where lots of people vacation. There are resorts, summer camps, many RV parks and tent camping sites, but many of these places have been washed away.

[Nora Raum]

NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran reporting. President Trump is spending today in Bedminster, New Jersey, but is facing a busy week with tariffs and foreign policy. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on Monday as Trump pushes for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. This would be Netanyahu's third visit to the White House this year. Trump will also turn his attention to trade, where he says he will on Monday start sending letters to countries worldwide informing them of the tariff rates the US Will impose on their goods. In April, Trump had imposed tariffs on most countries, then dialed all those tariffs back to 10% when markets panicked. He set a deadline of July 9, when tariffs would jump back up unless he signed tariff deals with all those countries by then. Thus far, he has announced two deals with the UK And Vietnam. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

Ukraine's air force says it attacked airfields in Russia where fighter planes used to bomb Ukrainian cities are stored. Russia is bombing Ukraine more often as the Kremlin refuses to heed President Trump's call to end the war. NPR's Joanna Kakis reports.

[Joanna Kakis]

In a statement, the Ukrainian air force said it used drones and guided bombs to strike the military airfield and damage training and combat aircraft. Ukraine says it's trying to weaken Russia's war machine as it defends itself against escalating Russian airstrikes This past week, the Pentagon stopped a shipment of air defense munitions headed to Ukraine, claiming US Supplies are running low speed. Security analyst Hanna Schellist says this sends an ominous message to allies.

[Hanna Schellist]

There is absolutely no guarantees that us will stand with partners when it is the crisis and then that us would have sufficient amount of diminution to help or to fight.

[Joanna Kakis]

And this, she says, only encourages Russia. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Nora Raum]

This is NPR News. The National Hurricane center is tracking Tropical Storm Chantal, which is churning in the Atlantic off the coast of South Car line it. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles an hour. It's expected to move ashore late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Self help superstar Mel Robbins is winning at the bookstore. Her book the Let Them Theory is currently the best selling book of the year so far. NPR's Andrew Limbong has more.

[Andrew Limbong]

Here's how Mel Robbins explained her Let Them Theory to ITV earlier this year.

[Mel Robbins]

Any moment you feel stressed out, worried, annoyed, frustrated, in life, you just say let them. That's it. You don't even need to buy the book.

[Andrew Limbong]

Of course, people did buy the book. It sold 1.7 million print copies in 2025, according to Sir Kana Bookscan. In second place is the Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and all three books in Rebecca Yarros Empyrean series made the top 10. Another author still moving product after many years is Dr. Seuss. Over oh, the Places yous'll Go sold another 436,000 copies, making it the seventh best selling book in 2025 so far. Andrew Limbong, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

In the United Kingdom, the Chester Zoo is celebrating the hatching of ten Humboldt penguin chicks this spring. It's one of the most at risk penguin species in the world. Penguin mothers and fathers share parenting duties. One of the chicks has been adopted by two daddies, Scampi and Flounder, who are first time parents. The chicks are now days away from their first swimming less. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News in Washington.

[Capital One Representative]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.