NPR News: 07-10-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 10, 2025, 10AM EDT – Detailed Summary

Release Date: July 10, 2025

NPR's "News Now" delivers a comprehensive update on the latest global and local events, touching on international conflicts, economic developments, political controversies, and heartwarming stories. This detailed summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode released on July 10, 2025.

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1. Escalation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [00:16]

The episode opens with a report on renewed hostilities in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia has launched a significant drone missile attack on Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals. This assault marks another severe escalation in the ongoing war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Diplomatic Efforts
Timestamp: [00:37]

In response to the aggression, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in diplomatic talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia during the ASEAN conference. Rubio conveyed the U.S. position, stating:

"I echoed what the president has said, both disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in peace talks or in a path forward." [00:37]

This meeting underscores the U.S.'s frustration over the stagnation in peace negotiations and the pressing need for a viable path to ceasefire.

U.S. Resumption of Weapons Shipments to Kyiv
Timestamp: [00:47]

Amid the ongoing conflict, the United States has resumed military aid to Kyiv, bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian advances.

Senate Legislation on Russian Oil Sanctions
Timestamp: [01:01]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that a bipartisan legislative vote targeting severe sanctions on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil may occur within the month. Rubio expressed optimism about the bill's progression:

"I hope that we can get it on the floor before the August recess. We are working with the administration, with the House to try and get it in a form where it's ready." [01:01]

This legislative move aims to economically isolate Russia further and pressure it into negotiations.

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2. Rescue Operation in Los Angeles

Reporter: Steve Futterman
Timestamp: [01:10]

Shifting to local news, Jeanine Herbst reports on a dramatic rescue operation in Los Angeles where over 31 workers were trapped in an underground tunnel under construction for a wastewater treatment plant.

Details of the Collapse and Rescue Efforts
Timestamp: [01:26]

The tunnel, spanning seven miles, experienced a partial collapse in the early evening, forcing workers to navigate through debris up to 15 feet high. More than 100 first responders mobilized swiftly to the scene, establishing a triage unit. Fortunately, the triage unit was not needed.

Mayor Karen Bass's Statement
Timestamp: [01:57]

LA Mayor Karen Bass expressed her relief and optimism:

"I was so concerned that we were going to find tragedy. Instead, what we found was victory." [01:57]

Successful Rescue Operation
Timestamp: [02:00]

Rescue workers operated a giant cage, which was lifted out of the tunnel by a crane, ensuring the safety of all trapped individuals. An investigation is underway to determine the collapse's cause.

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3. Stock Market Fluctuations and Trade Tensions

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [02:13]

The financial markets present a mixed picture amid new trade tensions. President Trump's latest tariff threats have influenced stock performances differently across major indices.

Market Movements
Timestamp: [02:13]

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Increased by approximately 45 points.
• NASDAQ Composite: Decreased by 83 points.
• S&P 500: Dropped by 8 points.

President Trump's Tariff Threats on Brazil
Timestamp: [02:22]

President Trump has threatened to impose a 50% import tax on all goods from Brazil starting August 1. This move is controversial given that the U.S. currently maintains a trade surplus with Brazil. Trump justifies the tariff by citing Brazil's treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, an ally facing criminal charges for allegedly attempting to overturn his 2022 election defeat.

Corporate News
Timestamp: [02:22]

• Delta Airlines: The airline's stock surged following the announcement of better-than-expected quarterly profits. Delta reported that demand for air travel has stabilized at levels similar to the previous year, surpassing earlier projections.

• Nutella's Acquisition of Kellogg: The maker of Nutella is set to acquire Kellogg in a deal valued at over $3 billion, signaling significant consolidation in the food industry.

Market Overview by Scott Horsley
Timestamp: [03:04]

Scott Horsley provides an overview of the stock market:

"On Wall street, the Dow is up 48 points. The NASDAQ is down 83. The S&P 500 down 8." [03:04]

The contrasting movements reflect investor uncertainty amidst geopolitical tensions and corporate maneuvers.

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4. DOJ Whistleblower Controversy

Reporter: Kerry Johnson
Timestamp: [03:04]

Senate Democrats have unveiled text messages and emails aimed at substantiating allegations made by a Justice Department whistleblower. This development comes at a time when lawmakers are deliberating the judicial nomination of a high-ranking DOJ official.

Emil Bovey's Nomination Scrutinized
Timestamp: [03:31]

Emil Bovey, who previously served as a defense lawyer for President Trump, is a contender for a lifetime appointment to the federal appeals court in Philadelphia. Democratic Senator Richard Durbin contends that Bovey should not be appointed, citing evidence from internal communications that suggest Bovey and others misled a federal court and ignored court orders in immigration cases earlier this year.

Durbin stated:

"Bovey belongs nowhere near the federal bench." [03:31]

Bovey's Response and Confirmation Prospects
Timestamp: [03:31]

Bovey has denied the allegations. Kerry Johnson notes that if Senate Republicans maintain unity, Bovey could secure confirmation through a simple majority vote, bypassing the need for a supermajority.

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5. Heartwarming Celebration at Khao Kio Open Zoo

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:12]

The episode concludes with a delightful story from Thailand's Khao Kio Open Zoo, where thousands have gathered to celebrate the first birthday of Mu Dang, a baby pygmy hippo who has captured the hearts of social media users worldwide.

Birthday Festivities for Mu Dang
Timestamp: [04:12]

To honor Mu Dang's special day, the zoo orchestrated a fun-filled celebration featuring:

• Naps and Refreshments: Mu Dang enjoyed several naps and feasted on watermelon and vegetables.
• Shower Time: The baby hippo was hosed down for a refreshing shower.
• Birthday Cake: A 44-pound, hippo-sized cake was presented to Mu Dang, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Conservation Note
Timestamp: [04:12]

Jeanine Herbst emphasizes the importance of pygmy hippos:

"Baby pygmies are native to West Africa and they are endangered. There are only a couple thousand of them left in the world." [04:12]

This celebration not only highlights Mu Dang's popularity but also raises awareness about the conservation efforts needed to protect this rare and vulnerable species.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and diverse news coverage, ensuring listeners are well-informed on critical issues and uplifting stories alike.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. After Russia launched another large drone missile attack on Ukraine with an hours long assault overnight that left at least two people dead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference on Russia's war in Ukraine and ongoing peace talks.

[Marco Rubio]

I echoed what the president has said, both disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in peace talks or in a path forward.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This as the US Resumed weapons shipments to Kyiv. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune says a vote could come this month on bipartisan legislation imposing severe sanctions on countries that continue to buy Russian oil.

[Marco Rubio]

I hope that we can get it on the floor before the August recess. We are working with the administration, with the House to try and get it in a form where it's ready.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This says President Trump's frustration with Russia grows over the lack of a ceasefire deal. In Los angeles, more than 31 workers building an underground tunnel for a wastewater treatment plant have been rescued after a partial collapse. Steve Futterman has more.

[Steve Futterman]

The collapse occurred in the early evening. Officials say the trapped workers had to climb through debris up to 15ft high. The massive seven mile underground tunnel is designed to return wastewater that's been treated back into the ocean. When the collapse occurred, more than 100 first responders raced to the scene. A triage unit was set up. Fortunately, it was not needed. LA Mayor Karen Bass I was so concerned that we were going to find tragedy. Instead, what we found was victory.

[Marco Rubio]

All of the men that were in that tunnel rescued.

[Steve Futterman]

The rescue workers inside a giant cage were lifted out of the tunnel by a crane. And there will be an investigation to determine what caused the collapse. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Stocks are in mixed territory this morning as President Trump issued new tariff threats. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The Dow gained about 45 points in early trading.

[Marco Rubio]

President Trump is threatening to impose a 50% import tax on all goods from Brazil as of August 1, even though the US has a trade surplus with that country. Trump says he's calling for the steep tariff because of Brazil's treatment of its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, the Trump ally who's facing criminal charges for allegedly trying to overturn his 2022 election loss. Stock in Delta Airlines took off after the company reported better than expected quarterly profits. Delta says demand for air travel has leveled off about where it was last year, which is better than the company was projecting a few months ago. And the maker of Nutella is buying cereal maker Kellogg at a deal valued at just over $3 billion. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And on Wall street, the dow is up 48 points. The NASDAQ is down 83. The S&P 500 down 8. You're listening to NPR News. Senate Democrats are releasing text messages and emails to support the accusations of a Justice Department whistleblower. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports. This move comes as lawmakers consider the judicial nomination of a top DOJ official.

[Kerry Johnson]

Emil Bovey served as a defense lawyer for President Trump before playing a major management role inside the Justice Department. Now Bovey's in line for a lifetime tenured job on the federal appeals court in Philadelphia. Democratic Senator Richard Durbin says Bovey belongs nowhere near the federal bench. Durbin citing text messages, emails and other records to back a whistleblower who says Bovey and others misled a federal court and disregarded a court order in immigration cases this year. Bovey denies that. If Senate Republicans stick together, they can confirm him in a simple majority vote. Kerry Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Thailand, thousands of people from around the world are flocking to the Khao Kio Open Zoo to celebrate the first birthday of Mu Dang. She's a baby pygmy hippo that's become a social media sensation. To celebrate her day, she took a few naps, ate a watermelon and vegetables before she was hosed down for a shower. She also got a 44 pound hippo sized cake. Baby pygmies are native to West Africa and they are endangered. There are only a couple thousand of them left in the world. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Capital One Representative]

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