NPR News: 07-18-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 18, 2025, 3PM EDT

On the July 18, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, listeners were presented with a comprehensive update on critical global and national issues. The episode delved into significant developments ranging from digital currency regulations and international sanctions to humanitarian efforts in conflict zones, political apprehensions in Brazil, a tragic incident in Los Angeles, and cultural highlights from the music industry. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

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1. President Trump Introduces the Genius Act: Regulating Digital Currency and Russian Sanctions

Timestamp: [00:26]

The episode opened with Lakshmi Singh reporting from Washington, highlighting President Trump's introduction of the Genius Act, a landmark bill aimed at governing digital currency. This legislation focuses on implementing new regulations for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tethered to stable assets like the US Dollar to mitigate price volatility.

Additionally, the discussion shifted to the Russian sanctions bill, which has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support. However, Republican leaders in Congress, led by President Trump, are currently pausing its progression. The rationale behind this delay is to allow President Trump the opportunity to negotiate a ceasefire in Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Claudia Grizales provided further insights, mentioning the strained relations between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized a unified "one team approach," expressing confidence in the State Department and the Commander in Chief to navigate the sanctions strategy.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Johnson at [01:14]: “We're doing this in a one team approach, and we're not going to get in front of the White House on that. We're going to trust the State Department and the commander in chief to get that done. So we'll see how that works out.”

However, not all Republicans are in agreement with the pause. Nebraska GOP Congressman Don Bacon stressed the urgency, stating that delaying the sanctions could undermine the overwhelming support for the bill.

Notable Quote:

• Don Bacon at [01:30]: “By giving those sanctions, we show the president there's overwhelming support to do it.”

The bill currently allows President Trump a 50-day window to broker a deal with Putin, failing which stringent penalties would be enforced.

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2. Christian Leaders Visit Gaza Amidst Israeli Strikes

Timestamp: [01:43]

The podcast then covered significant humanitarian efforts in the Middle East. Lakshmi Singh reported from Gaza, where senior Christian leaders are visiting the Holy Family Catholic Church, which was recently struck by Israeli military actions, resulting in three Palestinian fatalities. The Israeli military attributed the attack to a "straight munition."

Emily Fang elaborated on the visit, noting that Cardinal Pierre Batista Pizzabala, the Vatican's highest official in the Holy Land, along with Patriarch Theophilus II of the Greek Orthodox Church, were present to support the parishioners affected by the attack. The church holds particular significance as it was frequented by former Pope Francis, who used to pray there nightly.

In the aftermath of the strike, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep regret. Moreover, during a telephone conversation, Pope Leo urged for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and voiced concern over the dire situation in Gaza, emphasizing that its residents are "paying an agonizing price."

Notable Quote:

• Pope Leo at [02:46]: “…expressed his concern of Gaza, whose people he said were, quote, paying an agonizing price.”

These developments underscore the ongoing tensions and the international community's efforts to mediate and provide humanitarian relief in the region.

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3. Brazil Imposes Stricter Measures on Former President Jair Bolsonaro

Timestamp: [02:46]

Shifting focus to South America, Lakshmi Singh reported concerns in Brazil regarding former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Authorities in Brazil have deemed Bolsonaro a flight risk, leading to the imposition of stringent movement restrictions. These measures include the mandatory use of an electronic ankle monitor, prohibitions on communicating with foreign ambassadors, and bans on approaching embassies.

Kerry Khan provided further context, explaining that Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes mandated these surveillance protocols. Additionally, Bolsonaro has been banned from using social media and interacting with other defendants in his ongoing criminal case. This includes his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, who resides in exile in the United States.

Bolsonaro has publicly stated that he never intended to leave Brazil and described his current situation as experiencing "supreme humiliation."

Notable Quote:

• Bolsonaro at [03:01]: “I never had plans to leave Brazil and am suffering, quote, supreme humiliation.”

These actions reflect Brazil's commitment to ensuring that Bolsonaro remains present for his legal proceedings amidst political uncertainties.

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4. Tragic Explosion at Los Angeles Sheriff's Training Facility Claims Three Lives

Timestamp: [03:22]

A somber report followed regarding a tragic incident in Los Angeles. Lakshmi Singh introduced the story of an explosion at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's training facility, which resulted in the deaths of three deputies. Steve Futterman provided detailed coverage, stating that the explosion occurred on Friday morning at a site that also houses the sheriff's bomb squad and the elite arson explosion unit.

The incident took place while deputies were handling explosive ordnance, leading to immediate evacuation and cordoning off of the entire complex. At least one individual was injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Emergency response teams, including bomb squad technicians, quickly arrived on the scene to manage the aftermath.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has committed to providing necessary assistance, while federal agencies like the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are involved in the ongoing investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.

Notable Quote:

• Steve Futterman at [03:37]: “California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered the state to give whatever assistance is needed, and the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are also now assisting with the investigation.”

This tragic event highlights the inherent dangers faced by law enforcement personnel, especially those involved in handling hazardous materials.

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5. Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's Final Concert to Hit Theaters

Timestamp: [04:18]

Concluding the episode on a lighter note, Lakshmi Singh shared exciting news from the entertainment industry. Ozzy Osbourne and his band Black Sabbath are set to celebrate their legacy with a cultural milestone. Their final concert, titled "Osbourne's Back to the Beginning All Star Benefit Concert," will be released in theaters next year, following an online trailer launch by Mercury Studios.

The concert, which took place earlier this month, was a charity event that successfully raised tens of millions of dollars. The funds raised are earmarked for various medical causes, including a cure for Parkinson's disease—a condition that Ozzy Osbourne himself battles.

Notable Quote:

• Lakshmi Singh at [04:18]: “The benef reportedly raised tens of millions of dollars to be donated to various medical causes, including the cure for Parkinson's, which Osborne has.”

This initiative not only marks the end of an era for the iconic band but also underscores their commitment to philanthropy and supporting medical research.

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Final Notes

The episode provided a broad spectrum of updates, reflecting the dynamic nature of current events. From legislative changes and international diplomacy to humanitarian missions, political legalities, tragic losses, and cultural celebrations, NPR News Now ensured listeners were well-informed on multiple fronts.

Disclaimer: Advertisements, promotional content, and non-essential segments from the transcript were excluded to maintain focus on substantive news coverage.

Transcript

[Catherine Marr]

When you walk into NPR headquarters, one of the first things you see is a big map of the country covered with little blue dots. Each dot represents a local public radio station. That's the NPR Network. I'm Catherine Marr, CEO of npr. With federal funding for public media eliminated, your network is under serious threat. Help us plan for the road ahead at donate.npr.org live from NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. This hour, President Trump is putting his stamp on a landmark bill that would govern digital currency. The Genius act consists of new regulations for stablecoins. It's a type of cryptocurrency linked to a stable asset such as the US Dollar to guard against price volatility. Republican leaders in Congress are hitting pause on a Russian sanctions bill that has drawn overwhelming bipartisan support from dozens of lawmakers. NPR's Claudia Grizales reports. Some sponsors say they need to move fast to finally force a ceasefire in Russia's war with Ukraine.

[Claudia Grizales]

Amid souring relations between President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, GOP leaders are following Trump's lead on sanctions. House Speaker Mike Johnson says that means having patience.

[Mike Johnson]

We're doing this in a one team approach, and we're not going to get in front of the White House on that. We're going to trust the State Department and the commander in chief to get that done. So we'll see how that works out.

[Claudia Grizales]

But some co sponsors of the Sanctioning Russia act, like Nebraska GOP Congressman Don Bacon, say time is running out.

[Don Bacon]

By giving those sanctions, we show the president there's overwhelming support to do it.

[Claudia Grizales]

For now, the let Trump give Putin 50 days to reach a deal or face stiff penalties. Claudia Grizales, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Two senior Christian leaders are in Gaza today to visit a Catholic church which was hit by Israel's military this week. Three Palestinians died in that attack, which Israel's military said was caused by a straight munition. Here's NPR's Emily Fang.

[Emily Fang]

Cardinal Pierre Batista Pizzabala is the Vatican's most senior official in the Holy Land. He and his Greek Orthodox counterpart, the Patriarch Theophilus ii, were in Gaza on Friday visiting and consoling parishioners of the Holy Family Catholic Church there. That's the church whose congregation the former Pope Francis used to call each night and where three people were killed in an Israeli strike on Thursday. Earlier this week, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed Israel's, quote, deep regret that the church was hit. He spoke by telephone with Pope Leo Friday morning as outrage over the deadly strike mounted Pope Leo, on the call, urged a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas and expressed his concern of Gaza, whose people he said were, quote, paying an agonizing price. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Authorities in Brazil worry that the former far right president, Jair Bolsonaro is a flight risk are imposing new restrictions on his movements. NPR's Kerry Khan reports. Bolsonaro must wear an electronic ankle monitor and cannot communicate with foreign ambassadors or approach embassies.

[Alexandre de Moraes]

The tough surveillance was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who also banned Bolsonaro from using social media and communicating with other defendants in his ongoing criminal case. That includes his son Eduardo, who's in exile in the U.S. bolsonaro says he never had plans to leave Brazil and is suffering, quote, supreme humiliation.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's NPR. In Los Angeles, three sheriff's deputies have been killed in an explosion at the department's training facility, according to officials. Steve Futterman has details.

[Steve Futterman]

The explosion took place Friday morning at a location that also houses the sheriff's bomb squad and elite arson explosion unit. There have been three fatalities. At least one person was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. The explosion reportedly occurred as sheriff's deputies were moving explosive ordnance. The entire complex was immediately cordoned off. Roads around the area were blocked and bomb squad technicians are at the scene. California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered the state to give whatever assistance is needed, and the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are also now assisting with the investigation. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Lakshmi Singh]

From Birmingham, England to Hollywood, Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's concert earlier this month that they built as their final is heading to the silver screen part of the online trailer from Mercury Studios. It announced today Osbourne's Back to the Beginning All Star benefit concert will be released in theaters next year. The benef reportedly raised tens of millions of dollars to be donated to various medical causes, including the cure for Parkinson's, which Osborne has. US Stocks have been trading lower this hour with the dow down roughly 194 points. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

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