NPR News: 07-14-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 14, 2025, 8AM EDT

Live from Washington, D.C.

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U.S.-Russia Relations: Anticipated Trump Announcement and Legislative Push

President Donald Trump is slated to make a significant announcement regarding Russia today. Despite ongoing efforts by the Trump administration, Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. Speaking to reporters last night, Trump refrained from directly addressing the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia. Instead, he expressed his disappointment in Putin, stating at [00:46] [00:46] Donald Trump:

"But I am very disappointed with President Putin. You know, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said and he'll talk so beautifully and then he'll bomb people at night. We don't like that."

This statement comes shortly after Trump indicated to NBC News that a major statement concerning Russia was forthcoming. Concurrently, Congress is mobilizing to strengthen the administration’s stance against Putin. A bipartisan effort in the Senate, championed by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to provide Trump with extensive powers to target both Putin personally and the broader Russian economy, described by Graham as a "sledgehammer" approach.

Ukraine: Diplomatic Engagements and Special Envoy's Visit

In related developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Keith Kellogg, President Trump's special envoy, earlier today. Zelensky reported that their discussions were "productive," as highlighted at [01:21] [01:21] Giles Snyder:

"Zelensky says he met today with Keith Kellogg, President Trump's special envoy, saying on social media that the two had a productive meeting."

Kellogg has arrived in Kyiv for an anticipated week-long visit, underscoring the United States' commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

EU Responds to U.S. Tariff Threats Amid Trade Tensions

European Union trade ministers convened in Brussels to address President Trump's recent threat to impose a 30% tariff on European imports. In a strategic move to facilitate constructive dialogue, the EU has decided to suspend its retaliatory measures temporarily, aiming to create a conducive environment for successful trade negotiations. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized at [01:49] [01:49] Ursula von der Leyen:

"The EU has decided to suspend retaliatory measures to give trade talks more chance of success."

She further added at [02:00]:

"At the same time, we will continue to prepare further countermeasures so we are fully prepared."

The EU has compiled a list of U.S. goods worth approximately 93 billion euros that could be targeted with reciprocal tariffs. While some measures were poised to take effect immediately, von der Leyen indicated a strategic delay to prioritize negotiations. Additionally, the EU is considering the "anti-coercion mechanism," a regulation that permits seeking reparations in the event of economic harm, though von der Leyen noted it might be premature to activate this tool.

Israel-Gaza Conflict: Tragic Civilian Casualties Reported

In Gaza, the Israeli military has acknowledged a tragic error during a strike that resulted in the deaths of six children. Ruth Sherlock reports at [02:31] [02:31] Ruth Sherlock:

"The Israeli military said in a statement that it was targeting a member of the Islamic Jihad militia and that a technical error with the munition meant it fell, quote, unquote, dozens of meters from the target."

These children were among at least ten individuals killed while filling water containers in central Gaza. Their bodies were later transported to Al Awda Hospital, where more than a dozen others sustained injuries. The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that over 58,000 people have been killed in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, with women and children comprising more than half of the casualties.

Severe Flooding in Texas Hill Country: Rising Concerns and Ongoing Search Efforts

The Texas Hill Country is grappling with severe flooding following up to five inches of rain within a few hours overnight, as reported by Giles Snyder at [03:13] [03:13] Giles Snyder:

"More rain in the Texas Hill country leading to more concern about flooding. The National Weather Service in Austin says up to 5 inches fell in a few hours overnight, leading to flood warnings and watches."

Tragically, at least 132 people have lost their lives, and over 160 remain missing since the catastrophic flooding on the 4th of July. Search efforts have been suspended, intensifying fears for those still unaccounted for.

Electric Vehicle Industry: Panasonic's Kansas Battery Plant Amid Economic Challenges

One of the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery plants is set to open today in Kansas, despite the EV industry's current economic headwinds. Zane Irwin with the Kansas News Service details at [03:51] [03:51] Zane Irwin:

"Just days before the ribbon cutting ceremony, international outlet Nikkei Asia reported the factory has postponed its target to to be at full capacity by spring 2027."

A spokesperson for Panasonic neither confirmed nor denied the postponement. The EV sector is navigating several challenges, including declining Tesla sales, fluctuating auto tariffs, and the impending expiration of electric vehicle tax credits in September as part of President Trump's tax and spending bill. Nevertheless, Panasonic remains optimistic about the long-term prospects, asserting that battery production is already underway and continues to push forward in Kansas.

International Space Station: Successful Return of Privately Financed Crew

A diverse group of visitors to the International Space Station is returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule. The trio, hailing from Poland, India, and Hungary, undocked early this morning, targeting a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. Their mission, privately financed, marks a significant milestone in international and commercial space collaboration. Jael Snyder reported at [04:35] [04:35] Giles Snyder:

"The three visitors to the orbiting outpost are from Poland, India and Hungary. Their flight was privately financed."

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Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump is expected to make an announcement today about Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine despite repeated attempts by the Trump administration. Trump spoke to reporters last night. As NPR's Elena Moore reports, Trump avoided.

[Elena Moore]

Directly answering a question on whether he would impose sanctions on Russia. Instead, he issued a new rebuke of the Kremlin's leader.

[Donald Trump]

But I am very disappointed with President Putin. You know, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said and he'll talk so beautifully and then he'll bomb people at night. We don't like that.

[Elena Moore]

Trump's comments come days after he told NBC News that he would make a major statement regarding Russia. Congress also wants the president to crack down on Putin. There's a bipartisan effort in the Senate that would give Trump what Republican Senator Lindsey Graham described as a sledgehammer to go after Putin and the Russian economy. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he met today with Keith Kellogg, President Trump's special envoy, saying on social media that the two had a productive. Kellogg arrived in Kyiv today for an expected week long visit. European Union trade ministers meeting in Brussels as the bloc deals with President Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on European imports. Terry Schultz reports EU has decided to suspend retaliatory measures to give trade talks more chance of success.

[Ursula von der Leyen]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she hopes the time between now and Aug. 1, when Trump said the tariffs would take effect, can be used to find a solution through negotiations.

[Giles Snyder]

At the same time, we will continue to prepare further countermeasures so we are fully prepared.

[Ursula von der Leyen]

The EU has drawn up lists of US goods worth some 93 billion euros to target with reciprocal tariffs, some of which could have taken effect Monday. But von der Leyen said Brussels would hold off enacting them. The EU could eventually choose to use a regulation called the anti coercion mechanism, which allows it to seek reparations in case of economic harm. But von der Leyen says it's also too soon to consider that. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.

[Giles Snyder]

Now to Gaza, where the Israeli military is acknowledging what it says was a technical error during a strike that killed six children. Here's NPR's Ruth Sherlock reporting.

[Ruth Sherlock]

The children are among at least 10 people killed as they waited to fill water containers in central Gaza. Their bodies were brought to the nearby Al Awda Hospital with more than a dozen wounded. The Israeli military said in a statement that it was targeting a member of the Islamic Jihad militia and that a technical error with the munition meant it fell, quote, unquote, dozens of meters from the target. The Health Ministry in Gaza says children and women make up more than half of the over 58,000 people killed in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR News. More rain in the Texas Hill country leading to more concern about flooding. The National Weather Service in Austin says up to 5 inches fell in a few hours overnight, leading to flood warnings and watches. Search efforts have been suspended. More 160 people remain missing following the 4th of July flooding. At least 132 people were killed. One of the world's largest electric vehicle battery plants scheduled to open today in Kansas. As Zane Irwin with the Kansas News Service reports, the opening comes at a time when the EV industry is facing economic challenges.

[Zane Irwin]

Just days before the ribbon cutting ceremony, international outlet Nikkei Asia reported the factory has postponed its target to to be at full capacity by spring 2027. A spokesperson for Panasonic did not confirm or deny the report. The news comes as economic headwinds continue to buffet the EV industry. Tesla sales are down, auto tariffs are in flux, and as part of President Trump's tax and spending bill, electric vehicle tax credits will end in September. Nevertheless, Panasonic says battery production is already underway in Kansas and that it is optimistic in the long term. For NPR News, I'm zane Irwin in DeSoto, Kansas.

[Giles Snyder]

A group of visitors to the International Space Station are headed back to Earth. Their SpaceX capsule undocked early this morning aiming for a splashdown in the Pacific off the coast of Southern California. The three visitors to the orbiting outpost are from Poland, India and Hungary. Their flight was privately financed. I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News. Thank you.

[Jael Snyder]

Support for NPR and the following message come from IXL Learning. IXL Learning uses advanced algorithms to give the right help to each kid, no matter the age or personality. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when you sign up today at ixl.com npr.