NPR News: 07-11-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 11, 2025, 9AM EDT

1. Central Texas Flash Flooding Crisis

At [00:19], anchor Jeanine Herbst reported a devastating situation in Central Texas, where flash flooding has resulted in the disappearance of over 170 individuals and a rising death toll now standing at at least 100. The community is grappling with the immediate aftermath, and rescue operations are ongoing in search of the missing.

2. Enhancing Flood Warning Systems

In light of the recent disaster, discussions have emerged regarding the implementation of more robust warning systems. Jeanette Sutton, a disaster expert from the University at Albany, weighed in on the effectiveness of flood warning sirens. At [01:06], she emphasized:

“Sirens are best for alerting people who are outside of a building. So it's really going to get people who are camping along a river, which is a really good thing.”

Sutton further highlighted the current initiatives by Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, stating at [01:15]:

“The state intends to install flood warning sirens in hard-hit Kerr County, Texas.”

These measures aim to enhance the community's preparedness for future flash flood events, especially in areas frequented by outdoor enthusiasts.

3. International Defense and Trade Developments

a. Germany's Support for Ukraine's Defense

Turning to international affairs, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Germany's readiness to purchase Patriot air defense systems from the United States for Ukraine amid escalating Russian missile and drone attacks. Esme Nicholson reported from Berlin at [01:49]:

“By pledging his willingness to buy Patriot on behalf of Ukraine, Merz is sending a message to Moscow that Ukraine's allies have no intention of giving up.”

This move also serves as a reaffirmation of the alliance between Germany and the United States, signaling a united front in supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities.

b. US Trade Tensions with Brazil and Canada

In trade news, tensions have risen as Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced potential retaliatory tariffs against the United States. Responding to President Trump's threats of increasing import taxes to 50%, Lula stated:

“If President Trump follows through on his threat to boost import taxes, we will impose retaliatory tariffs.”

Additionally, the trade war has extended to Canada, with Trump threatening a 35% tariff on all Canadian imports. Despite these threats, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remains optimistic, asserting:

“Our country will continue to work on a deal.”

These escalating trade tensions highlight the fragile nature of international economic relations during this period.

4. UK-France Immigration Deal

Addressing the ongoing migration crisis, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a collaborative agreement aimed at curbing illegal crossings in the English Channel. Fatima Al Kassab reported from London at [03:31]:

“The British prime minister and French president announced what they called a one in, one out deal in which the UK will accept some asylum seekers crossing the English Channel and return an equal number to France.”

Prime Minister Starmer described the initiative as "groundbreaking" at [03:46], emphasizing:

“With a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables.”

Scheduled to commence within weeks, this agreement aims to address the surge in migrants undertaking perilous journeys by small boats, a trend that has intensified political debates and fueled the rise of far-right anti-immigrant sentiments and hate crimes in the region.

5. Scientific Discovery in Denver

In a surprising turn of events, a Denver dinosaur museum announced the discovery of a rare fossil bone beneath its parking lot. During geological surveys for geothermal heating potential, officials drilled over 750 feet deep and unearthed a hockey puck-shaped fossil believed to belong to a small, plant-eating dinosaur from 67.5 million years ago. Jeanine Herbst reported at [04:18]:

“Officials say they drilled a hole in the parking lot more than 750 feet deep to get bore samples to study the geothermal heating potential for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. That's when they found the hockey puck shaped small fossil sample thought to be from a small plant-eating dinosaur.”

This finding is particularly noteworthy, as only two similar fossils have been discovered in borehole samples worldwide, providing valuable insights into the region's prehistoric ecology.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical issues, from natural disasters and infrastructure safety to international defense collaborations, trade tensions, immigration policies, and scientific breakthroughs. With expert insights and on-the-ground reporting, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the pressing events shaping our world on July 11, 2025.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. A search continues for more than 170 people missing from the flash flooding in Central Texas. The death toll from the disaster has risen to at least 100.

[Rebecca Hersher]

Now.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Some officials are calling for more warning sirens, hoping they'll protect people from future flash floods. But as NPR's Rebecca Hersher reports, those sirens aren't meant to replace other types of warning systems.

[Jeanette Sutton]

Flood warning sirens broadcast a loud alarm and sometimes a spoken message. The technology is widely used in parts of the country with high tornado and tsunami risk, but not so much for floods. Jeanette Sutton is a disaster expert at the University at Albany. She says sirens could save lives in places like the Texas Hill country, where many people go to camp and fish.

Sirens are best for alerting people who are outside of a building. So it's really going to get people who are camping along a river, which is a really good thing.

Earlier this week, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told reporters that the state intends to install flood warning sirens in hard hit Kerr County, Texas. Rebecca Hersher, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump is visiting the area today to survey the damage and meet with local officials and first responders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says his country is prepared to buy Patriot air defense systems from the United States on behalf of Ukraine. As Esme Nicholson reports, the announcement comes as Russia intensifies its missile and drone bombardment of Ukraine.

[Esme Nicholson]

Speaking in Rome at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, Friedrich Merz said that while the Americans need Patriot systems for themselves, they also have a lot of them. U s made Patriots can intercept ballistic and cruise missiles as well as aircraft. An exchange has not been finalized. But in pledging his willingness to buy Patriot on behalf of Ukraine, Meerts said he was sending a message to Moscow that Ukraine's allies have no intention of giving up. He added that his pledge was also a message to Washington to prove that we're on the same page. Speaking to NBC on Thursday, Trump showed willingness to send weapons to Ukraine on the proviso that NATO is going to reimburse the full cost of those weapons. For NPR News, I'm Esme Nicholson in Berlin.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he will impose retaliatory tariffs on the US If President Trump follows through on his threat to boost Import taxes to 50%. Trump issued the tariff threat, railing against what he calls a witch hunt against far right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who's on trial for allegedly interfering with Brazil's 2020 elections. Meanwhile, Trump escalated a trade war with Canada, too, threatening to impose a 35% tariff on all imports from Canada, saying the country retaliated instead of working on a deal with the US Prime Minister Mark Carney, though, says his country will continue to work on a deal. You're listening to NPR News From Washington. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on a deal to tackle illegal migration across their water border in the English Channel. Imperious Fadmail Kassab has more from London.

[Rebecca Hersher]

The British prime minister and French president announced what they called a one in, one out deal in which the UK Will accept some asylum seekers crossing the English Channel and return an equal number to France. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal groundbreaking.

[Keir Starmer]

With a united effort, new tactics and a new level of intent, we can finally turn the tables.

[Rebecca Hersher]

The announcement came at the end of a three day UK State visit by the French president. Starmer said the exchanges will begin within weeks. The the number of migrants making the dangerous journey across the channel in small boats is now at a record high and the issue has become political, fuelling support for a far right anti immigrant party as well as a rise in hate crimes. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, London.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A dinosaur museum in Denver made an unusual find under its parking lot, a small fossil bone from a dinosaur. Officials say they drilled a hole in the parking lot more than 750ft deep to get bore samples to study the geothermal heating potential for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. That's when they found the hockey puck shaped small fossil sample thought to be from a small plant eating dinosaur that lived 67.5 million years ago. Now this find is rare with only two similar finds in borehole samples from around the world. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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