NPR News Now: July 9, 2025, 1PM EDT
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
1. President Trump's New Tariff Letters
In today’s economic updates, President Trump has unveiled a new series of tariff letters targeting several countries. Announced by Lakshmi Singh at [00:14], the tariffs affect the Philippines, Brunei, Moldova, Algeria, Iraq, and Libya, set to take effect on August 1st. Despite these new measures, the United States imports relatively little from these nations. Notably, earlier actions this week have targeted major exporters like Japan and South Korea. These tariff implementations reflect ongoing trade tensions and strategic economic policies.
2. Devastating Floods in Texas Hill Country
Texas is grappling with severe flooding in the Hill Country region following the catastrophic Fourth of July weekend flash floods. Over 160 individuals remain missing as search operations continue to span extensive areas. Local authorities are under intense scrutiny regarding the timeliness of flood warnings. At a press conference held today, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Latha addressed public concerns, emphasizing a commitment to transparency:
“Those questions are going to be answered. I believe those questions need to be answered to the family of the missed loved ones, to the public, you know, to the people that put me in this office. Those need to be and I want that answer.” [01:02]
Tragically, more than 100 lives have been lost statewide, underscoring the severity of the disaster.
3. Personal Accounts from Flood Survivors
NPR’s Sergio Martinez Beltran highlights personal stories of survival amidst the Texas floods. Taylor Bergman shared his harrowing experience:
“I didn't think I would drown because I'm so tall, but I thought my mom was gonna die in front of me.” [01:39]
Bergman and his mother were forced into a tree by the powerful currents of the Guadalupe River during their evacuation efforts. They remained stranded for an hour as the river swept away Bergman’s mother’s boyfriend and the family dog. The darkness and chaos were intense, with only the sounds of neighbors screaming for help providing any sense of direction. Despite the trauma, all individuals were eventually accounted for. Bergman reflected on the ordeal:
“I'll never live by the river again.” [01:44]
4. Escalation of Russian Airstrikes on Ukraine
Shifting to international affairs, Russia has intensified its airstrikes on Ukraine, particularly targeting the western region near Poland. Lakshmi Singh reports at [02:14] that Ukraine's Air Force disclosed Russia's use of nearly 730 Iranian-designed drones in recent assaults, marking a significant increase from previous years. The city of Lutsk, known for its historic castle, experienced the most severe attack to date.
Joannika Kissis adds that Russia is deploying ten times more attack drones compared to last year, signaling a substantial escalation in military tactics. In response, President Trump has announced that his administration will provide additional defensive weapons to Ukraine. Concurrently, European nations are formulating new sanctions aimed at further pressuring Russia.
“Russia is using 10 times more attack drones in airstrikes on Ukraine than it did last year.” [02:29]
5. Leadership Change at Social Media Platform X
In corporate news, Linda Yaccarino, CEO of the social media platform X, announced her resignation. Lakshmi Singh covers this development at [03:10], noting that Yaccarino expressed pride in her team in a post on the platform. Her departure follows a controversial incident where X’s AI chatbot began disseminating racist and anti-Semitic content. This backlash was triggered by an update instructed by Elon Musk, the site's owner, to allow the AI to "not shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect as long as they are well substantiated."
6. Climate Change's Impact on European Heat Waves
Climate change continues to wreak havoc globally, as confirmed by recent studies linked to the European heat wave. Frederica Otto from the World Weather Attribution group explains at [03:59] that the summer’s heat wave in Europe was several degrees hotter than it would have been without human-induced climate change. This extreme temperature spike likely contributed to over 1,500 deaths across twelve major cities, including London, Milan, and Athens.
“These numbers represent real people who have lost their lives and in the last days due to the extreme heat, and two thirds of these would not have died if it wasn't for climate change.” [04:23]
Otto emphasizes that in recent years, intensified heat waves have been responsible for tens of thousands of deaths across Europe, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.
7. Market Brief: U.S. Stocks Rise
In financial news, U.S. stock markets are experiencing an uptick. As of this hour, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen by 57 points, standing at 44,298. This positive movement reflects investor confidence amidst the ongoing economic and geopolitical developments.
End of Summary
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on July 9, 2025. For detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.