NPR News: 07-06-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: July 6, 2025, 6 PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest updates on critical national and international issues, along with entertainment highlights from the weekend box office.

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1. Severe Flooding Threatens Central Texas

[00:19] Jeanine Herbst reported on escalating flood dangers in central Texas as heavy rains persist in the region.

Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the severity of the situation:

"There is heavy rainfall that's already occurred and there's more heavy rainfall that's expected that will lead to potential flash flooding."
[00:27]

The north fork of the Guadalupe River, flowing through Hunt, Texas, has been significantly impacted. Following devastating flash floods last Friday, authorities are urging residents to seek higher ground. The catastrophe has resulted in at least 78 fatalities, with dozens still missing, including 10 children and one adult from a summer camp. As search and rescue efforts continue, the community begins its arduous path to recovery.

Personal stories highlight the human toll of the disaster. Lilia Herrera, a resident, shared her devastation:

"I'm watching them throw all my stuff, all my everything. Yeah, my whole house is empty. It's devastating."
[01:19]

Governor Abbott added:

"Their home flooded with about 2ft of water and they don't have flood insurance because they say it's not in a floodplain."
[01:28]

Neighbors are rallying together to clear mud and debris, marking the initial steps toward rebuilding the affected areas.

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2. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations Under Pressure

In economic news, FEMA has been activated in Texas following President Trump's major disaster declaration. Shifting focus to international trade, President Trump has set a tight deadline for resolving trade and tariff disputes:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant outlined the current stance:

"Trading partners that make deals with the US before August 1st can escape stiff tariff hikes."
[02:05]

Originally, the deadline was July 9th, but extensions to August 1st have been suggested. Secretary Bessant conveyed the administration's uncompromising approach:

"If you don't move things along, then on August 1st, you will boomerang back to your April 2nd tariff level."
[02:19]

He further explained the implications of these tariffs:

"Those so-called reciprocal tariff rates reached as high as 50% and when first implemented, crashed the stock market, though it has since recovered. Trump's strategy is maximum pressure."
[02:27]

Treasury Secretary also stated:

"If you want to speed things up, have it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice."
[02:38]

Secretary Bessant anticipates significant trade announcements in the upcoming days, indicating a critical period for U.S.-China economic relations.

Jeanine Herbst added updates on technology and national security concerns:

"President Trump says a deal is pretty much in place with China on the video app TikTok, new talks are expected to start this week."
[02:51]

The administration has delayed enforcement of laws requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest control or face a U.S. ban, offering three enforcement extensions as the negotiations continue.

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3. Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday Amid Succession Uncertainty

Anthony Kuhn reported from Dharamshala, India, where the Dalai Lama marked his 90th birthday amidst ongoing tensions with China regarding his succession.

The Dalai Lama addressed future leadership:

"After I die, a foundation under my office will handle my succession without any outside interference."
[03:35]

This declaration poses a direct challenge to China's stance, which asserts:

"China's government insists it has the final say over the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and is likely to appoint its own successor, possibly leading to two Dalai Lamas, one backed by the Chinese government, the other by the Tibetan government in exile."
[03:35]

The event was attended by Indian and U.S. officials, as well as Hollywood actor Richard Gere, highlighting the global significance of the Dalai Lama's leadership and the geopolitical implications of his succession.

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4. Weekend Box Office Highlights

Jeanine Herbst provided an overview of the weekend's box office performance:

• Jurassic World Rebirth topped the charts with an estimated $91 million in ticket sales, bringing its worldwide total to $318 million against a production budget of $180 million.
  [04:14]

• Brad Pitt Racing Film F1 secured the second spot, earning $26 million and nearing $300 million globally.
  [04:14]

• Universal's Live-Action How to Train Your Dragon garnered $11 million, ranking third.
  [04:14]

• Additional films included Helio with $5 million and 28 Years Later with $4 million, rounding out the top five.
  [04:14]

These figures reflect the continued popularity of blockbuster franchises and high-profile releases in the competitive film market.

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For more detailed coverage and ongoing updates, stay tuned to NPR News.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In central Texas, there's a new flooding threat as rain continued to fall in spots today.

[Governor Greg Abbott]

Governor GREG abbott, There is heavy rainfall that's already occur and there's more heavy rainfall that's expected that will lead to potential flash flooding.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Now people along the north fork of the Guadalupe river, which flows through Hunt, Texas, are being told to move to higher ground. This after flash flooding Friday devastated the area, leaving at least 78 people dead, dozens missing, including 10 children and one adult from a summer camp. And as search and rescue operations continue, people are starting the slow recovery process. Dominic Anthony Walsh from Houston Public Media.

[Governor Greg Abbott]

Has more Residents say they never imagined a disaster like this was possible. Outside Lilia and Joe Herrera's home along the Guadalupe River, a front end loader lifts their ruined possessions into a dumpster.

[Jeanine Herbst]

I'm watching them throw all my stuff, all my everything. Yeah, my whole house is empty. It's devastating.

[Governor Greg Abbott]

Their home flooded with about 2ft of water and they don't have flood insurance because they say it's not in a floodplain. Neighbors are coming together to help clean out mud and debris, the first steps on the long road to recovery. I'm Dominic Anthony Walsh in Kerrville, Texas.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And FEMA has been activated in the state after President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Texas. President Trump has said his deadline for trade and tariff deals is this Wednesday, but now Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says some countries may have more time. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Scott Bessant]

Trading partners that make deals with the US before August 1st can escape stiff tariff hikes, Bessant tells CNN. Originally July 9th was the deadline. Bessant says President Trump is sending letters to these countries with a trade deal ultimatum.

[Treasury Secretary]

If you don't move things along, then on August 1st, you will boomerang back to your April 2nd tariff level.

[Scott Bessant]

Those so called reciprocal tariff rates reached as high as 50% and when first implemented, crashed the stock market, though it has since recovered. Bessen says Trump's strategy is maximum pressure.

[Treasury Secretary]

If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice.

[Scott Bessant]

Bessen says he expects several big trade announcements in the coming days. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump says a deal is pretty much in place with China on on the video app TikTok, new talks are expected to start this week. Trump had delayed a law that says the Chinese parent company of TikTok ByteDance, has to relinquish control or the app will be banned in the US on the grounds of national security. Trump has given TikTok three reprieves, though, in the form of enforcement extensions. You're listening to NPR News. Tibetan Buddhism's leader Dalai lama, celebrates his 90th birthday today in exile in India. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing. He said recently that after he dies, he will be reincarnated. Outside China.

[Anthony Kuhn]

In the Indian mountain city of Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama sat on a stage as dancers and musicians performed. Indian and U.S. officials were in attendance, as was the Dalai Lama's longtime follower, Hollywood actor Richard Gere. The Dalai Lama said on July 2 that after he dies, a foundation under his office will handle his succession without any outside interference. China's government insists it has the final say over the Dalai Lama's reincarnation and is likely to appoint its own successor, possibly leading to two Dalai Lamas, one backed by the Chinese government, the other by the Tibetan government in exile. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Beijing.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At the weekend box office, Jurassic World Rebirth took the top spot with an estimated 91 million in ticket sales. The newest installment in the Franchise has made $318 million worldwide so far, it cost a reported $180 million to produce. In second place, the Brad Pitt Racing Film F1 with $26 million. So far globally, it's made nearly $300 million. In third place, Universal's live action how to Train youn Dragon with $11 million. And rounding out the top five, Helio with 5 million and 28 years later with $4 million. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Lauren Schmies]

You're listening to the NPR Network, live from NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

I'm Lauren Schmies.

[Lauren Schmies]

A living, breathing record of your neighborhood, the country, the world, told by thousands of local journalists who live in the places where stories unfold, backed by a national newsroom that puts it all in perspective. Hear the whole country story. Hear ways of thinking that challenge your own. Hear the bigger picture with NPR.