NPR News: July 9, 2025, 6AM EDT
Hosted by Kristen Wright
Central Texas Flash Floods: Ongoing Search Efforts
[00:19] Kristen Wright opens the broadcast by discussing the severe flash floods that devastated Central Texas six days prior. Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that at least 161 individuals remain missing in the Kerr County area. Despite the passage of time, search efforts continue unabated, with hopes of locating more victims.
[00:45] Frank Morris reports that the Guadalupe River has submerged many victims beneath a tangled mass of logs and steel debris, complicating recovery operations. Volunteers from Texas Equisearch, led by field operation manager Mark Edwards, are making progress in the difficult terrain.
[01:06] Mark Edwards shares insights on the challenging conditions:
"And so we begin to remove that tree pile. And some of those tree piles were 30 and 40 foot tall, wrapped in RVs and cars up against the trees." [01:06]
Edwards anticipates that identifying all the deceased will take several weeks due to the extensive and hazardous search areas along the river. The current death toll has risen to 109.
Diplomatic Tensions and Cybersecurity Threats
[01:28] Kristen Wright transitions to international news, highlighting meetings between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. A key agenda item is Trump's push for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Simultaneously, the State Department is grappling with cybersecurity threats, including a sophisticated phishing campaign targeting high-level officials. Notably, a fake Signal account impersonated Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marking the latest in a series of such attacks.
[01:59] Michelle Kellerman, NPR reporter, elaborates:
"According to a diplomatic cable, several foreign ministers received either texts or AI generated voice messages purporting to be from Secretary of State Marco Rubio." [01:59]
[02:14] Tammy Bruce, State Department spokesperson, responds:
"The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department's cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents." [02:14]
Bruce also mentions investigations into a Russian-linked phishing campaign utilizing counterfeit State Department emails. This issue, first reported by The Washington Post, underscores ongoing cyber vulnerabilities within governmental institutions.
Changes in U.S. Airport Security Procedures
[02:35] Kristen Wright reports on a significant policy shift in U.S. airport security: passengers will no longer be required to remove their shoes during screening processes. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem states that this change aims to "streamline the security checkpoint process and shorten wait times." [02:52]
[03:05] Tammy Bruce adds:
"Passengers will still pass through multiple layers of screening. They'll also go through identity verification. And in fact, TSA has recently experienced some fantastic success with implementing real ID." [03:05]
Furthermore, the TSA is experimenting with new technologies at certain airport checkpoints to enhance security efficiency.
Middle East Tensions: Israeli Airstrikes in Lebanon
[03:05] Kristen Wright shifts focus to the Middle East, reporting on recent Israeli drone strikes in northern Lebanon. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirms three deaths and over a dozen injuries resulting from an airstrike near Tripoli.
[03:37] Jawad Rizkhalla, NPR reporter in Beirut, provides context:
"Israel has launched regular airstrikes in south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs despite a ceasefire reached last November. But attacks in north Lebanon are rare." [03:37]
Rizkhalla notes that Israel claims the strike targeted a key Hamas operative involved in prior rocket attacks on Israel during last year's conflict with Hezbollah. However, sources close to Hamas report no militants were killed, and local accounts suggest the casualties included a garage mechanic and bystanders.
The United States is attempting to negotiate with the Lebanese government for Hezbollah's disarmament, but Hezbollah remains defiant, insisting that Israeli aggression must cease before any disarmament occurs.
International Legal Actions and Environmental Updates
[04:18] Kristen Wright reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan. The ICC accuses them of persecuting girls and women, a continuation of the Taliban's restrictive policies since their return to power in 2021. The United Nations has called for an end to these repressive measures, emphasizing the global concern over women's rights in Afghanistan.
Additionally, [04:18] updates on environmental issues highlight progress in combating a wildfire near Marseille, France. Firefighters have largely contained the blaze, and evacuees are being permitted to return to their homes, though vigilance remains for potential flare-ups.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments featured in the July 9, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of critical national and international events.