NPR News: 07-09-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 9, 2025, 3PM EDT

Summary by NPR

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US Government and New Tariffs

Lakshmi Singh opens the hour with significant developments in US trade policy. President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of new tariff rates ranging from 20% to 30% on a select group of countries, citing unfair trade practices.

• Trump on Brazil Tariffs ([00:32]): “We're going to have a couple of more coming out today. Brazil as an example has been not good to us, not good at all. We're going to be releasing a Brazil number, I think later on this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”

The tariffs target six nations, with the highest rates applied to Algeria, Iraq, and Libya. This move is part of Trump's broader strategy to renegotiate trade deals and protect American industries from what he perceives as unfair foreign competition.

Devastating Floods in Texas

A tragic update from Texas highlights the severe impact of the July 4th floods. The death toll continues to climb, with significant efforts underway for search and recovery.

• Death Toll and Ongoing Efforts ([00:45] - [01:14]):

  • Mariana Navarro reports that Kerr County officials confirm 95 deaths, including 36 children, with over 160 individuals still unaccounted for.
  • Sheriff Larry Litha emphasizes a forthcoming review of the initial emergency response: “As with other significant events that our emergencies services encounter, this incident will be reviewed. You have my word. When or if necessary if improvements need to be made, improvements will be made” ([01:28]).

• State Response:

  • Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announces the allocation of resources to enhance alert systems in Texas communities.
  • Governor Greg Abbott prioritizes flood assistance in the upcoming special legislative session.

US-Ukraine Conflict: Weapons Shipments and Russian Aggression

Confusion persists regarding the status of US weapons shipments to Ukraine amidst escalating tensions with Russia.

• Trump’s Stance on Weapons to Ukraine ([01:58]):

  • President Trump declares an intent to send additional weapons to Ukraine after a Pentagon-imposed pause, though specifics remain unclear.

• Russian Airstrikes Intensify:

  • The Ukrainian air force reports that Russia has launched a record number of drones and missiles targeting western regions near Poland, exacerbating the conflict and raising concerns about regional stability.

Business and Economic Updates

Several key developments in the business sector highlight significant mergers, corporate performances, and regulatory changes.

• Merck’s Acquisition of Verona Pharma ([02:33]):

  • Scott Horsley reports that pharmaceutical giant Merck is set to purchase British company Verona Pharma for approximately $10 billion. This acquisition grants Merck control over Verona’s FDA-approved drug for treating pulmonary disease, marking a substantial expansion in Merck’s respiratory care portfolio.

• Delta Air Lines Earnings Forecast ([02:33]):

  • Scott Horsley notes that Delta Air Lines is expected to report lower profits compared to the previous year. The airline has reduced its flight schedules in response to cautious consumer travel plans, a trend affecting the broader aviation industry.

• FTC’s ‘Click to Cancel’ Rule Blocked ([02:33]):

  • A federal appeals court has halted the implementation of the Federal Trade Commission’s new rule designed to simplify the cancellation of unwanted subscriptions. The “click to cancel” regulation was slated to take effect on Monday, aiming to enhance consumer rights and reduce fraudulent subscription practices.

• US Stock Market Rally ([03:15]):

  • Lakshmi Singh reports that US stocks are trading higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 183 points, reflecting investor optimism amid mixed economic signals.

Environmental Concerns: Chemicals in Plastics

A groundbreaking study has shed light on the extensive use of harmful chemicals in plastics, raising alarms about environmental and health risks.

• Findings by Will Stone ([03:40]):
  • Over 16,000 chemicals have been identified in plastics, with more than 4,200 classified as chemicals of concern. Notable harmful substances include bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS (“forever chemicals”).
  • The study, conducted by scientists in Norway and Switzerland and published in Nature, highlights significant gaps in the understanding of plastic composition. Nearly 11,000 of the identified chemicals lack official hazard classifications, posing challenges for regulators and manufacturers.
  • The authors advocate for the replacement of these hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives to mitigate health risks.

Law Enforcement and Fugitive Alert

Authorities are actively seeking information leading to the capture of Derrick Groves, the last remaining fugitive from the May jailbreak in New Orleans.

• $50,000 Reward Offered ([04:25]):
  • Derrick Groves, convicted of killing two individuals and facing life imprisonment, remains at large due to administrative delays that prevented a more secure incarceration. Law enforcement officials urge the public to provide any tips that could assist in locating him.

Corporate Leadership Changes at X

In a notable corporate update, Linda Yaccarino has stepped down as CEO of X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk.

• CEO Departure ([04:25]):
  • Linda Yaccarino announced her resignation via a message on X, stating, “The best is yet to come,” signaling potential future developments under new leadership at the company.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical issues ranging from government policies and natural disasters to international conflicts, business mergers, environmental studies, and significant corporate leadership changes. For detailed reports and ongoing coverage, listeners are encouraged to follow NPR’s updates.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. The rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it. Please take a stand for public media [e-mail] thank you.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump's targeting more countries with new tariff rates.

[Donald Trump]

We're going to have a couple of more coming out today. Brazil as an example has been not good to us, not good at all. We're going to be releasing a Brazil number, I think later on this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Earlier today, Trump announced tariff rates ranging from 20 to 30% on half a dozen nations. The highest is being imposed on Algeria, Iraq and Libya. The death toll in Texas continues to clim climb following the devastating July 4th floods. Kerr county officials say 95 people, including 36 children, are confirmed dead in that part of the state alone. More than 160 individuals are still unaccounted for. Texas Public Radio's Marianne Nevada reports officials.

[Mariana Navarro]

Are working with local organizations and state agencies in the search, recovery and identification process. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Litha continues to emphasize that the county will look at the initial response to the flooding at a later time.

[Donald Trump]

As with other significant events that our emergencies services encounter, this incident will be reviewed. You have my word. When or if necessary if improvements need to be made, improvements will be made.

[Mariana Navarro]

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has said the state will provide resources to fund alert systems currently used in other Texas communities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Tuesday that flood assistance would be a priority in the upcoming special legislative session.

Mariana.

I'm Mariana Navarro in San Antonio.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Confusion remains over the state of US Weapons shipments to Ukraine. President Trump has said it would be sending additional weapons to Ukraine after a pause by the Pentagon. But it's unclear which weapons will be sent and what might still be on hold. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force says Russia launched another record number of drones at Ukraine, as well as missiles targeting the far western region near Poland.

[Mariana Navarro]

Russia.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Russia has been stepping up airstrikes on Ukrainian cities in the last few months. There's news today of a big transatlantic drug deal. NPR Scott Horsley reports. It involves the maker of a new medicine for treating copd.

[Scott Horsley]

Pharmaceutical giant Merck says it's buying a British drug company, Verona Pharma, in a deal that Merck values at about $10 billion. The acquisition gives Merck control of Verona's drug for treating pulmonary disease, which was approved by the FDA last year Delta Air Lines is set to report earnings tomorrow, and forecasters expect the company's profits will be flying a bit lower than last year. Delta, like other airlines, has trimmed its flight schedules as cautious consumers dial back their travel plans. A federal appeals court has blocked a new FTC rule that was supposed to make it easier for people to cancel unwanted subscriptions. The so called click to cancel rule was set to take effect on Monday. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The dow is up 183 points. From Washington, this is NPR News. A new study has identified more than 16,000 chemicals in plastic, many of which are considered chemicals of concern because of the risks to human health. NPR's Wollstone has more on the findings.

[Will Stone]

Even though plastic is pervasive in our lives, there are still major gaps in our understanding of their chemical composition. The team of scientists based in Norway and Switzerland did a comprehensive review and identified more than 4,200 chemicals of concern. Bisphenols, phthalates and PFAS, or forever chemicals, are just a few examples. Those can show up everywhere, from toys to food packaging to tires. The results were published in the journal Nature. The authors report the sheer number of chemicals is far beyond what governments and manufacturers can study to ensure their safety. In fact, nearly 11,000 of the 16,000 chemicals identified lack official hazard classifications. Authors say many of these harmful chemicals can be replaced with safer alternatives. Will Stone, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A $50,000 reward still stands for tips leading to the capture of the last remaining fugitive from May's New Orleans jailbreak. Authorities say Derrick Groves was convicted last year of killing two people and faced life in prison, according to the Associated Press. But due to administrative delays, he was kept in jail for years rather than a more secure priority. Prison facility veteran ad executive Linda Yaccarino is still stepping down as the CEO of Elon Musk's company X. In a message posted on the social media platform today, Yaccarino wrote, quote, the best is yet to come. This is npr.

[Unknown Speaker]

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