NPR News: 07-07-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 7, 2025

On this episode of NPR News Now, host Dale Willman delivers a comprehensive update on critical events unfolding both nationally and internationally. The episode delves into the severe flash floods in Central Texas, geopolitical developments at the BRICS summit, market reactions to U.S. trade policies, political maneuvers within the United States, significant cultural events concerning the Dalai Lama, and the latest in the sports world.

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Devastating Flash Floods in Central Texas

Tragic Losses and Ongoing Searches

Central Texas is grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods that have tragically claimed over 80 lives, with authorities confirming the loss of 68 individuals in Kerr County alone, including 28 children (00:58). Governor Greg Abbott has expressed grave concerns, stating that more people remain missing as rescue operations continue.

Insufficient Warning Systems Under Scrutiny

Public outcry has intensified regarding whether adequate warnings were issued before the floods struck. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed these concerns, explaining:

"On July 3, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Hill country, forecasting up to 7 inches of rain. Overnight totals reached up to 12 inches in some areas, far exceeding the initial forecast, resulting in the Guadalupe River rising over 20 feet in under two hours." (01:12)

Noem further criticized the National Weather Service's preparedness, attributing the lack of timely alerts to outdated technology:

"We know that everybody wants more warning time, and that's why we're working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected by far too long." (01:41)

She also highlighted the impact of administrative changes:

"Since President Trump took office, the National Weather Service has seen mass layoffs." (01:48)

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BRICS Summit: China's Absence Raises Speculation

Summit Highlights and Key Discussions

The BRICS summit held in Brazil covered pivotal issues including Israel's actions in Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the trade tariffs imposed by President Trump. However, the absence of China's President Xi Jinping marked a significant deviation from past summits.

Speculations on Xi Jinping's Absence

BBC correspondent Mickey Bristow provides insight into the unexpected no-show:

"Beijing has blamed Mr. Xi's absence on a scheduling conflict, but that official explanation hasn't satisfied everyone. After all, Mr. Xi has consistently stressed the importance of BRICS." (02:20)

Bristow explores various theories, suggesting that Xi's absence might not indicate a weakening hold on power but rather a strategic decision to avoid committing to positions that do not align with his interests:

"The BRICS nations are a disparate group that include Russia, India, and South Africa. They have struggled to find a coordinated response to President Trump's tariffs and other world events. Mr. Xi might simply want to avoid being locked into positions he doesn't support." (02:20)

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Global Markets React to U.S. Trade Pressures

Asian Markets Decline Amid U.S. Tariff Push

Asian stock markets responded negatively as the Trump administration intensified efforts to secure new trade deals ahead of the imminent tariff deadline on Wednesday. Notable declines include:

• Japan's Nikkei Index: Dropped by 0.5%
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng: Fell by 4.10% (02:55)

This market turbulence reflects heightened investor anxiety over potential trade disruptions and economic uncertainties stemming from U.S. policies.

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Elon Musk's 'American Party' Faces Presidential Criticism

Attempt to Form a New Political Party

Entrepreneur Elon Musk announced plans to establish a new national political party, the "American Party," in response to President Trump's tax cut legislation. Musk criticized the existing political landscape, stating:

"When it comes to bankrupting the country with waste and graft, we live in a one party system, not a democracy." (02:55)

President Trump's Response

President Trump swiftly labeled Musk's initiative as "ridiculous," underscoring the contentious relationship between the tech mogul and the administration.

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Dalai Lama Celebrates 90th Birthday Amid Succession Plans

A Landmark Celebration in Exile

The Dalai Lama marked his 90th birthday in Dharamshala, India, where he resides in exile. The event was attended by Indian and U.S. officials, as well as renowned Hollywood actor Richard Gere. During his speech, the Dalai Lama revealed plans for his succession:

"After I die, a foundation under my office will handle my succession without any outside interference." (03:57)

China's Response and Potential Succession Conflict

China maintains that it holds the authority to approve the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, leading to tensions that could result in the emergence of two claimants to the spiritual leadership:

"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." (03:57)

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Sports Update: Carlos Alcaraz's Remarkable Wimbledon Run

Extending an Unbeaten Streak

In sports news, tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has advanced his Wimbledon campaign, extending his winning streak to 18 matches after defeating Andre Rublev, who was ranked number 14 (04:36). Alcaraz remains unbeaten in his last 22 matches this season and is now eyes set on securing his third consecutive Wimbledon title as he progresses to the quarterfinals.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues impacting listeners around the globe. Stay informed with NPR for the latest updates.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Central Texas is expecting more rain overnight, and they could make the already dire situation there even worse than the death toll following Friday's flash floods is now more than 80. And Texas Governor Greg Abbott says more people are still missing.

[Unnamed Reporter]

It's important to emphasize this, especially in the Kerrville area. There were so many people who were just camping out, not children in camps, but adults camping out near the river, people in RVs and things like that. There are people who are missing who are not on the known confirmed missing because we don't yet know who they are.

[Dale Willman]

Searchers have now found the bodies of 68 people in Kerr county, which was the hardest hit area. 28 of those were found were children. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies reports, meanwhile, that members of the public are asking if they received adequate warning as the flooding began.

[Kristi Noem]

On July 3, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the Hill country, forecasting up to 7 inches of rain. Overnight totals reached up to 12 inches in some areas, far exceeding the initial forecast, resulting in the Guadalupe river rising over 20ft in under two hours. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the reason for the lack of severe weather alerts before the flash flood was due to the National Weather Service's outdated technology.

[Unnamed Official]

We know that everybody wants more warning time, and that's why we're working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected by far too long.

[Kristi Noem]

So since President Trump took office, the National Weather Service has seen mass layoffs. For NPR News, I'm David Martin Davies in San Antonio.

[Dale Willman]

Brazil hosted a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies this weekend. Among the topics that they discussed were Israel's attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the trade tariffs imposed by President Trump. China's President Xi Jinping missed the summit for the first time since becoming his country's Leader. The the BBC's Mickey Bristow reports on speculation as to why that happens.

[Mickey Bristow]

Beijing has blamed Mr. Xi's absence on a scheduling conflict, but that official explanation hasn't satisfied everyone. After all, Mr. Xi has consistently stressed the importance of BRICS. Some outside China suggest the no show means Mr. Xi's hold on power is weakening. That seems a stretch. The BRICS nations are a disparate group that include Russia, India and South Africa. They have struggled to find a coordinated response to President Trump's tariffs and other world events. Mr. Xi might simply want to avoid being locked into positions he doesn't support.

[Dale Willman]

That's the BBC's Mickey Bristow. Asian stocks are mostly down at this hour as the Trump administration steps up pressure on trading partners to make new trading deals before Wednesday tariff deadline. Japan's Nikkei index has dropped half a percent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng is down by 4.10of a percent. This is NPR News. President Trump is calling an effort by Elon Musk to start a new national political party ridiculous. Musk announced the plan this weekend in response to Trump's tax cut bill. Musk is calling the political group the American Party. Commenting on the president's tax bill, he said when it comes to bankrupting the country with waste and graft, we live in a one party system, not a democracy. Tibetan Buddhism's leader, the Dalai Lama, celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday in India, where he's in exile. As NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing, the spiritual leader 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.

[Dale Willman]

Carlos Alcaraz has stretched his Wimbledon winning streak to 18 matches. That follows a win Sunday over number 14, Andre Rublev. Alcaraz is unbeaten in his last 22 matches this season. This latest win moves him to the quarterfinals as he looks for his third title in a row. At the All England Club, I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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