NPR News: 07-22-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 22, 2025, 2PM EDT – Comprehensive Summary

Political Developments: President Trump Responds to DOJ's Epstein-Related Plans

In today’s episode, Lakshmi Singh opens by addressing President Donald Trump’s reaction to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) intentions concerning Jeffrey Epstein’s associate. According to Frank Ordonez, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has announced plans to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently imprisoned for her role in Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls (00:35). When questioned about Blanche’s involvement, Trump stated:

“He’s very smart. I didn’t know that they were going to do it. I don’t really follow that too much. It’s sort of a witch hunt, just a continuation of the witch hunt. The witch hunt that you should be talking about is they caught President Obama absolutely cold.” – Donald Trump (00:52)

Trump’s response shifted the focus to alleged political interference, claiming the DOJ's actions are part of an ongoing witch hunt targeting him rather than addressing the issues at hand. Frank Ordonez highlights that Trump diverted the conversation to alleged 2016 election interference and purported wrongdoing by the Obama administration (01:07).

Economic Policy Update: Tariffs on Philippine Imports Announced

Following a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, President Trump announced significant changes to trade policies between the United States and the Philippines. Importers of goods from the Philippines will now face a 19% tariff, while U.S. exports to the Philippines will remain tariff-free. This move is part of a broader strategy to balance trade relations and support American industries (01:21).

Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza Faces Severe Hunger and Malnutrition

Anas Baba reports from the Gaza Strip, where Gaza health officials have confirmed that 25 children have died due to famine and malnutrition over the past week. The crisis is exacerbated by Israeli evacuation orders that have restricted access to farmland and fishing areas, leaving Palestinians with limited local food sources. Noor Hijazi, a 29-year-old widow from Gaza City, shared her personal tragedy:

“My two-year-old daughter lost five pounds in just four days.” – Noor Hijazi (01:46)

Despite a slight easing of Israel's blockade two months ago, only limited food supplies are allowed through American and Israeli-run groups operating within active military zones. Prices for essential staples like flour and rice have surged dramatically, with two pounds now costing $70. The situation highlights the dire need for increased humanitarian aid and more effective measures to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s residents (01:46).

Environmental News: Wildfires Surge Amid Record-Breaking Heat

Nate Rott delves into the alarming increase in wildfires across the United States and globally. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that over 60 large wildfires are currently burning, primarily in western states such as Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona (02:23). A recent study underscores the devastating impact of these fires, noting that 2023 and 2024 were the hottest years on record, leading to a significant rise in wildfire incidents. The study reveals that:

• There was more than twice as much bore burned in these years compared to the previous two decades.
• Tropical forests in regions like South America and Central Africa lost three times as much tree cover.

The researchers warn that the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires are clear indicators of the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, particularly in remote and vulnerable areas (02:42).

Sports and Social Issues: England’s Lioness Confronts Online Racism

In sports news, Lakshmi Singh covers the recent achievements and challenges faced by the England women's soccer team. The Lioness secured another victory in the women’s soccer tournament ahead of the semifinal match against Italy. However, this triumph was marred by online racist attacks directed at British-American defender Jess Carter. In response to the abuse, Carter has decided to step back from social media to protect her well-being. Her teammates and fans have rallied in support, amplifying calls for social media giants X and Meta to implement stronger measures against racial abuse on their platforms (03:15).

Scientific Insight: Earth's Rotation Slightly Accelerates

Nell Greenfield Boyce explains a fascinating scientific development affecting our perception of time. The Earth's rotation has been speeding up slightly, resulting in shorter days. Typically, a full rotation takes 24 hours (86,400 seconds), but various factors like weather patterns, the movement of the planet’s liquid core, and the moon’s influence can cause minor fluctuations. Earlier this month, on July 9, the Earth spun fast enough to shorten the day by nearly 1.4 milliseconds, and similar short days are anticipated this week and into August. This acceleration has important implications for precision timing and navigation systems (03:15).

Financial Markets: Mixed Performance in U.S. Stocks

Closing the episode, Lakshmi Singh provides a brief update on the stock market’s performance. Currently, U.S. stocks are experiencing mixed results:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 121 points
• Nasdaq: Down 83 points

This volatility reflects the ongoing economic uncertainties and investor responses to recent political and environmental developments (04:07).

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This comprehensive overview captures the critical discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode on July 22, 2025. From political maneuvers and economic policies to humanitarian crises and environmental challenges, the program offers a multifaceted look at the pressing issues of the day.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump saying that he was unaware of the Justice Department's plan to meet with an associate of the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Police But as NPR's Frank Ordonez tells us, Trump says he's okay with the DOJ's plan.

[Frank Ordonez]

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that he is seeking a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, who's in prison for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Trump was asked whether he was concerned that Blanche, his former personal attorney, would be the one speaking with Maxwell.

[Donald Trump]

He's very smart. I didn't know that they were going to do it. I don't really follow that too much. It's, it's sort of a witch hunt, just a continuation of the witch hunt. The witch hunt that you should be talking about is they caught President Obama absolutely cold.

[Frank Ordonez]

That was Trump changing the subject. He then went on at length about alleged interference in the 2016 election and wrongdoing that he claimed the Obama White House led. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The president announced on social media after meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. At the White House that importers of goods from the Philippines with will face a 19% tariff while US exports to the country will face no tariffs. Gaza health officials say 25 children died from famine and malnutrition over the past week. NPR's Anas Baba reports from the Gaza Strip on the region's deepening hunger crisis.

[Anas Baba]

As Israeli evacuation orders have covered nearly all farmland and banned fishing. Palestinians in Gaza have been left with limited local food sources. Markets across the territory are empty. Prices have soared. Two pounds of flour or rice now costs $70. Noor Hijazi, a 29 year old widow with two children in Gaza City, says her two year old daughter lost five pounds in just four days. Israel's blockade of Gaza, now in its fourth month, was slightly eased two months ago, but only to allow limited food in through an American and an Israeli run group operating inside an active military zone. Anas Baba and Pyranius, GAZA city more.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Than 60 large wildfires are burning in the United States, mostly in the West. That's according to the National Interagency Fire center, which says the states include Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Arizona. NPR's Nate Rott reports on a new study that shows the devastation caused by wildfires worldwide over the last two years.

[Nate Rott]

2023 and 2024 were the hottest years on record. Globally, those years also saw a major bump in wildfires. The study found more than twice as much bore burned in those years compared to the prior two decades. Tropical forests like those in South America and Central Africa lost three times as much tree cover. The study's authors warn increasing wildfires and fire severity, particularly in remote areas, are yet another sign of the warming global climate. Nate Rott, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr. Back for England, the Lioness online post scoring another win for England in women's south soccer weeks before today's semifinal match against Italy at the Euro 2025 tournament and overshadowing the Lioness upcoming game online racist attacks against a black player on the team, British American defender Jess Carter. Well, she says she is stepping back from social media. Her teammates and fans are coming to her defense, reigniting calls as well for social media platforms X and Meta to take a stronger stance against online racial abuse on their platforms. Well, if today feels unusually short, you can blame it on the Earth's rotation. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce explains. The Earth's rotation is expected to be a tiny bit faster than usual, pretty important for things like precision, timing and navigation.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

A full rotation of The Earth takes 24 hours, or 86,400 seconds, but our planet sometimes spins a little quicker or slower. The speed is influenced by all kinds of things the the weather, the movements of the planet's liquid core, as well as the influence of the moon. Earlier this month, on July 9, a particularly speedy spin shortened the day by nearly 1.4 milliseconds. This week is expected to have a few similarly short days. And there's more to come in August, according to a scientific group called the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service. Nell Greenfield boyce, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are mixed this hour. The Dow is up 121 points. The Nasdaq is down 83. This is NPR News.

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Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.