NPR News: 07-23-2026 2PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – July 23, 2026, 2PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights pressing world events, the latest economic shifts, legal developments involving journalists and the Trump administration, a quirky reward for Spanish football stars, and changes to Hawaii’s law on riding in pickup truck beds. It’s a concise yet comprehensive roundup of top stories as of the afternoon of July 23, 2026.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Saudi Nuclear Deal Linked to Israel Relations

[00:17 – 01:21]

• President Trump’s Condition: President Trump announced that the US will only build and operate nuclear energy plants in Saudi Arabia if the kingdom first normalizes ties with Israel.
  • “President Trump now says an agreement for the US to build and run nuclear energy plants in Saudi Arabia depends on Saudi Arabia first normalizing ties with Israel...” (Lakshmi Singh, 00:17)
• Saudi Stance: Saudi Arabia maintains it will not recognize Israel unless a Palestinian state is allowed, underscoring the impasse.
• Reaction in Israel:
  • Initial shock and criticism, with some blaming Israeli PM Netanyahu for the turn of events.
  • Former PM Ehud Barak sees the situation as evidence of deepening distrust between Trump and Netanyahu.
    • “The agreement was a sign of deepening distrust between President Trump and Netanyahu.” (Emily Fang, 00:38)
  • Netanyahu’s office sees Trump’s willingness to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords as “a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East.”
    • “Saudi Arabia’s joining of the Abraham Accords would be a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East.” (Netanyahu’s office, 01:04)
• Context: The Abraham Accords previously normalized relations between Israel and two Gulf states: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

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2. Global Oil Prices & Market Volatility

[01:21 – 02:05]

• Market Impact of Middle East Tensions:
  • Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea spiked Brent crude oil prices to $100/barrel.
  • “The attacks by Houthi militants on two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea sent the prices of Brent crude, the global benchmark, to $100.” (Rafael Nam, 01:31)
• Economic Implications:
  • US gas prices have jumped above $4/gallon.
    • “The national average for the price of gas is now above $4, according to AAA.” (Rafael Nam, 01:44)
  • Raised concerns about inflation rebounding, eliminating prospects of a Federal Reserve rate hike this year.
  • Tech stocks are also suffering due to overspending on AI.
    • “Technology stocks are being hit by overspending on AI.” (Rafael Nam, 01:56)
• Stock Market Update:
  • Nasdaq down over 2%, Dow and S&P down more than 1%.

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3. Legal & Media Developments: Times vs. Trump Administration

[02:05 – 03:13]

• Case Overview:
  • DOJ subpoenas New York Times reporters for grand jury testimony regarding a story about Secret Service interventions with Trump at a NATO summit.
    • “The Times alleges the Trump administration is attempting to intimidate its reporters, seeking phone records not just of its journalists but of some of their family members.” (David Folkenflik, 02:55)
  • Mutual lawsuits: Trump sued the Times for defamation; the Times is suing to block new restrictions on Pentagon coverage.
  • DOJ asserts it is following policy, with US Attorney Jay Clayton emphasizing respect for press independence.

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4. Unusual Victory Honors: Spain’s World Cup Footballers

[03:13 – 04:16]

• Celebrating with Tomatoes:
  • Midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi, hailed in their hometown Los Palacios (renowned for tomato farming), are each rewarded with crates of tomatoes matching their body weight by local tradition.
    • “It's become a tradition there to reward... outstanding athletes with crates of tomatoes that total their body weight.” (William Jones, 03:35)
    • The pair jointly received around 1,000 medium tomatoes (weighing 335 lbs).
  • Los Palacios is now famous for both its tomatoes and developing three World Cup winners this century.

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5. Hawaii Law Change: Truck Bed Passenger Age Raised

[04:16 – 04:35]

• New Law Sets Age Limit:
  • Hawaii raises the minimum legal age for riding in pickup truck beds from 12 to 16 due to increased road speeds and congestion.
    • “The state's worried more roads are getting faster and busier... the state's raised the age from 12 to 16 now for people allowed to legally ride in truck beds.” (Lakshmi Singh, 04:16)
  • Signed into law by Democratic Governor Josh Green last month.

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6. Mortgage Rates Edge Higher

[04:35 – 04:56]

• Rates Update:
  • Freddie Mac reports 30-year fixed mortgages now average 6.58%; 15-year loans at 5.96%.
  • “The government backed mortgage company Freddie Mac says a 30 year fixed rate mortgage has ticked up to 6.58% while the rate on a 15 year loan averages 5.96%.” (Lakshmi Singh, 04:42)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Saudi Arabia’s joining of the Abraham Accords would be a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East.” (Netanyahu’s office via Emily Fang, 01:04)
• “The attacks by Houthi militants on two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea sent the prices of Brent crude, the global benchmark, to $100.” (Rafael Nam, 01:31)
• “It's become a tradition there to reward... outstanding athletes with crates of tomatoes that total their body weight.” (William Jones, 03:35)
• “The Times alleges the Trump administration is attempting to intimidate its reporters, seeking phone records not just of its journalists but of some of their family members.” (David Folkenflik, 02:55)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• US-Saudi Nuclear Deal: 00:17 – 01:21
• Oil Prices & Markets: 01:21 – 02:05
• NYT Subpoenas: 02:05 – 03:13
• Spain Footballers & Tomatoes: 03:13 – 04:16
• Hawaii Truck Bed Law: 04:16 – 04:35
• Mortgage Rates: 04:35 – 04:56

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Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card, earn unlimited double miles, a $300 annual capital one travel credit and access to airport lounges. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply. [e-mail]

[B]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump now says an agreement for the US to build and run nuclear energy plants in Saudi Arabia depends on Saudi Arabia first normalizing ties with Israel, something that NPR's Emily Fang reports the kingdom has said it will not do unless Israel allows a Palestinian state.

[C]

At first, the Saudi agreement shocked Israel, with many blaming Israel's current Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told the country's army run radio station. That the agreement was a sign of deepening distrust between President Trump and Netanyahu. But Israeli officials applauded Trump's follow up social media post with Netanyahu's office saying in a statement, quote, saudi Arabia's joining of the Abraham Accords would be a historic leap forward for peace in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords normalize relations between Israel and two Gulf states, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Emily Fang, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[B]

Global oil prices surged while stock markets slumped as the tensions in the Middle east threatened to push up energy costs and therefore inflation. NPR's Rafael Naem takes a look at financial markets.

[D]

The attacks by Houthi militants on two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea sent the prices of Brent crude, the global benchmark, to $100. All of this comes at a disconcerting time for the US Economy. Although inflation had eased in June, it could start climbing again. The national average for the price of gas is now above $4, according to AAA. It's also erasing the prospect that the Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates this year. And on top of that, technology stocks are being hit by overspending on AI. Rafael Nam, NPR News.

[B]

The Nasdaq is down more than 2%. The Dow and S and P are down more than 1%. The man accused of attacking two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses last year is going to prison for life. Today, a federal jury sentenced Vance Belter to two life sentences and 40 years on top of that for shooting and killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The New York Times is seeking to convince a federal judge to quash subpoenas from the Justice Department, compelling several reporters to testify before a grand jury. NPR's David Folkenflick has more.

[E]

This clash erupted after the Times reported that the US Secret Service interceded to convince Trump not to take the new jet home from the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this month. The Times alleges the Trump administration is attempting to intimidate its reporters, seeking phone records not just of its journalists but of some of their family members. Trump has sued the Times for defamation, while the paper has sued the administration to block new restrictions on covering the Pentagon. U.S. attorney Jay Clayton says he has followed Justice Department policies and that he respects the independence of the press. David Folkenflick, NPR News from Washington.

[B]

This is NPR News. Two of Spain's World cup winning players are receiving an unusual edible accolade. NPR's William Jones explains.

[F]

Spain's World cup winning squad arrived back to a hero's welcome with fans descending on Madrid for a parade. Midfielders Fabian Ruiz and Gavi then returned to their hometown, Los Palacios, renowned for tomato production. It's become a tradition there to reward, quote, outstanding athletes with crates of tomatoes that total their body weight. So at a town hall event, Ruiz and Gavi were weighed, coming in at a combined 335 pounds. That's roughly 1,000 medium sized tomatoes. Their small town not only has a reputation for delicious tomatoes, it also has some serious footballing pedigree, having developed three World cup winning players this century alone. William Jones, NPR News.

[B]

Hitching a ride out on the back of a pickup is widely viewed as cherished part of island life in Hawaii. However, the state's worried more roads are getting faster and busier, and the state's raised the age from 12 to 16 now for people allowed to legally ride in truck beds. Democratic Governor Josh Green quietly signed the change into law last month. Buying a home just got pricier. The government backed mortgage company Freddie Mac says a 30 year fixed rate mortgage has ticked up to 6.58% while the rate on a 15 year loan averages 5.96%. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

[G]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks, Amazon prime members can listen to NPR News now sponsor free through Amazon Music or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get NPR+@ NPR. Org. That's NPR. Org.