NPR News: 07-12-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 13, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Hosted by NPR | Release Date: July 13, 2025

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1. Escalating EU-US Trade Tensions

French Unity Amid U.S. Tariff Threats

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European nations to maintain solidarity in the face of escalating trade tensions with the United States. In a recent statement, Macron emphasized the importance of a unified European front as President Donald Trump announced a potential increase in tariffs on European Union (EU) products from 10% to 30% if a trade deal is not finalized by August 1st.

"European countries must remain firm and united," Macron stated at [00:20].

The tariff announcement, delivered in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and subsequently shared on social media, has rattled the EU's confidence. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that European nations had been optimistic about maintaining the lower tariff rate during ongoing negotiations. However, Trump's move is perceived as an attempt to intensify pressure and sow divisions within the continent.

Analysts suggest that while some EU countries are eager to secure a swift agreement to alleviate business uncertainties and financial losses, others may push back against the aggressive tariff strategy. In response, the European Commission has pledged to pursue an agreement while also preparing to implement "proportionate countermeasures" to protect EU interests if necessary ([00:44]).

2. U.S. Legal Proceedings at Guantanamo

Cancellation of Plea Deals for 9/11 Accused

In a significant legal development, plea agreements involving three Guantanamo Bay detainees accused of orchestrating the September 11 attacks, including the alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have been annulled. This decision propels the long-delayed case back into the spotlight, potentially leading to a death penalty trial.

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer explains that former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had initially agreed to the plea deals last summer but rescinded them shortly thereafter, citing surprise at their implementation. Although a military court judge and appeals court previously ruled against Austin's authority to revoke the deals retroactively, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has since determined that Austin did possess the "indisputable legal authority" to cancel the agreements ([01:38]).

Brett Eagleson, whose father lost his life in the 9/11 attacks, welcomed the ruling as a victory for justice:

"We absolutely need a trial and a plea deal. A plea bargain would have taken that right away from us as Americans... we have the right for justice, and that's how we get the truth," Eagleson stated at [02:08].

However, a defense attorney for one of the Guantanamo detainees cautions that the legal process could extend until 2050 ([02:21]).

3. Ongoing Search Efforts After Texas Floods

Second Week of Searches Yields Limited Results

In the wake of catastrophic flash flooding in central Texas, search and rescue operations have entered their second week, with over 170 individuals still unaccounted for. Professional and volunteer searchers from across the United States and Mexico continue to navigate the treacherous banks of the Guadalupe River in hopes of locating missing persons.

Reporter Steve Futterman details the arduous efforts:

"The search area has an enormous footprint covering miles and miles. The crew simply are not finding many additional bodies. It is possible that some of those missing may never be found," Futterman reported at [02:46].

A somber vigil was held last night at a makeshift memorial erected in the affected area. As the death toll reaches at least 120, forecasts indicate more rain is expected, potentially complicating ongoing rescue missions ([03:08]).

4. Record-Breaking Prime Day Sales Reflect Consumer Concerns

Shoppers Spend Over $24 Billion Amid Trade Uncertainty

The annual Prime Day sale, initially launched by Amazon, has now become a major retail event embraced by numerous competitors. This year, the sale spanned four days instead of the usual two, resulting in unprecedented online spending.

Alina Selyuk reports that consumers collectively spent over $24 billion during the Prime Day sales period, surpassing the total revenue of two Black Fridays. Key categories driving sales included appliances, electronics, and back-to-school items. Many shoppers expressed a desire to preempt potential price hikes associated with President Trump's impending tariffs on foreign imports set to take effect on August 1st, as they seek to capitalize on current deals ([03:40]).

Adobe, the company tracking online transactions, highlighted top-selling items such as children's clothing, home security systems, refrigerators, and video games, reflecting both essential needs and discretionary purchases amid economic uncertainties.

5. Wimbledon Highlights: Historic Women's Final and Anticipated Men's Showdown

Iga Świątek Clinches First Wimbledon Title in Dominant Fashion

At Wimbledon, Poland's Iga Świątek secured the women's singles championship with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova ([04:15]). This marks the first women's final in the tournament's 114-year history where a player did not concede a single game. Świątek's swift 57-minute triumph not only earns her maiden Wimbledon title but also her sixth Grand Slam title overall. She now boasts a 60% success rate in major title matches. Anisimova struggled throughout the match, committing 28 unforced errors, highlighting Świątek's exceptional performance.

Looking ahead, the men's singles final is scheduled for tomorrow, featuring a highly anticipated matchup between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament ([04:15]).

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key news topics covered in the July 13, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, including international trade tensions, significant legal proceedings, natural disaster aftermath, consumer behavior during major sales events, and notable sports achievements.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. French President Emmanuel Macron called on European countries to remain firm and united as President Trump called 30% tariffs on EU products if no deal is reached by August 1st. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. The tariff threat came as a surprise and it's a blow to the bloc's confidence.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Europeans were hoping to keep the tariffs at 10% in ongoing negotiations. Trump announced the increase in a letter to European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, then published it on social media. Analysts say Trump is trying to increase pressure and divide the continent. Some countries want to make a quick deal as the uncertainty is hurting businesses and costing hundreds of millions. In a written response, the commission said it was committed to working towards an agreement, but also said it would take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Plea deals with three Guantanamo prisoners accused of the September 11 attacks, including alleged ringleader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have been tossed out. That means the long stalled case will continue toward a death penalty trial. NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer has more.

[Sacha Pfeiffer]

Two days after those plea deals were reached last summer, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled them, saying they caught him by surprise. But a military court judge and military appeals court said Austin couldn't cancel the deals retroactively. Now, the U.S. court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit has ruled that Austin, quote, unquote, indisputably had legal authority to do so. So the deals are off unless defense attorneys appeal. Brett Eagleson, whose father died on 9 11, calls the ruling a win.

[Brett Eagleson]

We absolutely need a trial and a plea deal. A plea bargain would have taken that right away from us as Americans, as humans, we have the right for justice, and that's that's how we get the truth.

[Sacha Pfeiffer]

But one Guantanamo defense lawyer says the case could now last until the year 2050. Sacha Pfeiffer, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In central Texas, the search for more than 170 people still missing since the catastrophic flash flooding is now in its second week as professional and volunteer searchers from around the country and Mexico comb the challenging banks of the Guadalupe River. Reporter Steve Futterman has more.

[Steve Futterman]

The search is going on with no immediate end in sight. The search area has an enormous footprint covering miles and miles. The crew simply are not finding many additional bodies. It is possible that some of those missing may never be found. I think that reality is beginning to set in here. Last night, a vigil took place at a makeshift memorial that's been set up.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Steve Futterman reporting. At least 120 people died. More rain is forecast for the region today. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The numbers are in on the big midsummer sale, or Prime Day sale. It was launched by Amazon but embraced by many other rival retailers. And this year it lasted for four days instead of two in Pierce. Alina Selyuk reports. Shoppers set a new record across all.

[Alina Selyuk]

Online stores during prime day sales, people spent more than $24 billion, which is more than two Black Fridays worth. That's according to Adobe, which tracks online transactions. People hunted for deals on appliances, electronics and a lot of back to school shopping. Many shoppers say they want to get ahead of potential future price increase if President Trump's tariffs on foreign imports go into effect August 1st, as he has warned. Adobe says the hottest sellers included kids, clothes, home security items, refrigerators and games. Alina Seluk, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At Wimbledon today, Poland's Iga Swiatek won the women's singles championship with a 6060 victory over Amanda Anisimova today. It's the first women's final at the tournament in 114 years in which one player finished failed to claim a single game. It took Javantik just 57 minutes to win, giving her her first Wimbledon title and her sixth Grand Slam title overall. She's now 60 in major title matches. Anisimovo was shaky from the start and made 28 unforced errors. Meanwhile, the men's singles final is tomorrow between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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