NPR News: 07-26-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: July 26, 2025, 11 AM EDT – Detailed Summary

Nora Ramm hosts the latest updates from NPR News, covering significant national and international events.

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President Trump Visits Scotland Amid Protests

Washington, D.C. – [00:16]

President Donald Trump embarked on a four-day visit to Scotland, aiming to engage in discussions with the British Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission about trade relations. During his stay, Trump played golf at one of his two private courses. However, his visit has sparked nationwide demonstrations, reflecting widespread opposition to his policies and leadership.

French President Macron Recognizes Palestinian State

Paris – [00:48]

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognize a Palestinian state, making it the first G7 member to do so. This move is part of France's broader diplomatic strategy to foster peace in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister’s Response:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Macron’s decision, labeling it a “reward for terror.” In contrast, Ofer Braunstein, a longtime peace activist advising Macron on Israeli-Palestinian relations, argued that sovereignty ensures responsibility. He stated, “I have no doubt about it. The best way to find terrorism is to have a responsibility by the Palestinian when the Palestinian state will be created, it will guarantee the security of Israel” ([01:14]).

Netanyahu has yet to present a concrete plan post-war and anticipates support from other G7 nations for the peace initiative France and Saudi Arabia are set to propose at the United Nations in New York next week.

California Considers Ban on Masking for Law Enforcement

California – [01:39]

California is deliberating a state legislation that would restrict the use of masks by law enforcement officers. This initiative arises in response to incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who have been concealing their faces during the enforcement of immigration laws.

Expert Insights:

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law School, expressed skepticism about the state's authority in this matter, noting, “[The feds] would likely challenge the state's power to regulate immigration agents” ([01:50]).

Martin Costi, NPR's reporter, highlighted that federal officers are generally required to adhere to state laws, including traffic regulations and can be held accountable under state laws for excessive force. He added, “I don't think that law enforcement generally needs to wear masks” ([02:10]).

The Department of Homeland Security counters that masks are necessary for federal agents to protect themselves from potential threats, including activists who may use online platforms to target them and their families ([02:23]).

Governor DeSantis Requests FEMA Funding for Alligator Alcatraz

Florida – [02:36]

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans to request funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the construction of a new detention facility in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz."

Funding Details:

Tim Padgett from WLRN reports that although Alligator Alcatraz is designated for immigrant detention—a federal responsibility—it is currently operated by Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. DeSantis aims to secure FEMA funds to cover the $450 million cost incurred during its first year of operation ([02:49]).

Shooting at University of New Mexico

New Mexico – [03:09]

Authorities are investigating a tragic shooting incident at the University of New Mexico that occurred early yesterday morning in a dormitory. An 18-year-old man is in custody following the incident, which resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injured a 19-year-old man.

Escalating Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

Thai-Cambodian Border – [03:39]

Intense fighting continues along the Thai-Cambodian border, marking the third consecutive day of conflict and resulting in at least 30 fatalities. This confrontation represents the most severe clash between the two nations in over a decade.

Details of the Conflict:

The Thai navy reported renewed clashes in Trat Province, a coastal area known for its tourist attractions. Both Thailand and Cambodia accuse each other of instigating the violence. The immediate trigger was the injury of a Thai soldier who lost his leg to a landmine during patrols on the disputed border.

At a recent United Nations Security Council meeting, Thailand’s ambassador stated that newly planted mines have been causing injuries to soldiers since July. Conversely, Cambodia rejects these claims, accusing Thailand of conducting a “deliberate, unprovoked and unlawful military attack” and asserting that Bangkok is continuing to mobilize troops and equipment in the contested area. Michael Sullivan reported from Chiang Rai ([03:39]).

Berlin Hosts One of Europe’s Largest Pride Parades

Berlin, Germany – [04:31]

Tens of thousands of individuals gathered in Berlin today to participate in one of Europe's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, the annual Pride Parade. The vibrant event featured participants waving rainbow flags and enjoying bottles of beer along the parade route.

A significant highlight of the parade was its passage by the Brandenburg Memorial, a poignant site commemorating those persecuted and killed during Nazi Germany. The celebration underscored both joy and reflection, honoring the resilience and history of the LGBTQ+ community.

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For more detailed updates, listeners are encouraged to visit NPR’s official platforms.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. President Trump is in Scotland for a four day visit. He's to meet with the British prime minister and the president of the European Commission to discuss trade. Today he played golf at one of his two golf courses. Demonstrations are being held around the country to protest his visit. French President Emmanuel Macron says France will recognize a Palestinian State, the first G7 member to do so as part of a larger diplomatic peace strategy. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state a reward for terror. Israeli Ofer Braunstein doesn't get that reasoning. The longtime peace activist who advises President Macron on Israeli Palestinian relations says sovereignty forces responsibility. He doesn't believe the October 7th attacks would have happened if there had been a Palestinian state.

[Ofer Braunstein]

I have no doubt about it. The best way to find terrorism is to have a responsibility by the Palestinian when the Palestinian state will be created, it will guarantee the security of Israel, he says.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Netanyahu has given no plan for after the war. He believes other European and G7 nations will support the peace plan put forward by France and Saudi Arabia next week at the UN In New York. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Nora Ramm]

California is considering a state ban on the use of masks by law enforcement officers in response to ICE agents who conceal their faces as they enforce immigration law. NPR's Martin Costi reports.

[Erwin Chemerinsky]

The California assembly is considering a bill limiting when law enforcement officers in the state may conceal their faces on the job. It's prompted by federal agents wearing masks as they detain people on immigration charges. Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky says the feds would likely challenge the state's power to regulate immigration agents.

[Martin Kosti]

Federal officers generally have to follow state laws. They have to stop at red lights and stop signs. They can be sued under state law if they use excessive force. I don't think that law enforcement generally needs to wear masks.

[Erwin Chemerinsky]

Department of Homeland Security officials say federal agents need to protect themselves from activists who put their photos online, which they say may lead to threats against them and their families. Martin Kosti, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Republican Governor Ron DeSantis says he'll ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for a new detention facility in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz. Tim Padgett of member station WLRN has more.

[Tim Padgett]

Although Alligator Alcatraz is for immigrant detention, which is supposedly a federal function, it's run by Florida's Division of Emergency management. But apparently DeSantis is going to tap into federal FEMA money to reimburse Florida for the $450 million cost of its first year of operation.

[Nora Ramm]

Tim Padgett reporting. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Authorities in New Mexico say an 18 year old man is in custody after a shooting at the University of New Mexic. It happened early yesterday morning in a dorm room. They say a 14 year old boy was killed and a 19 year old man was wounded. Fighting along the Thai Cambodian border has continued for a third straight day. At least 30 people have been killed. Michael Sullivan reports.

[Michael Sullivan]

In the worst fighting between the two countries in more than a decade. The Thai navy says new clashes have erupted along the border of the Thai coastal province of Trat, home to several popular tourist destinations. Both sides blamed the other for the fighting that broke out Thursday after a Thai soldier lost his leg the day before after stepping on a landmine while on patrol along the disputed border. Thailand's ambassador to the United nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that several soldiers have been injured by newly planted mines since July, claims Cambodia rejects it, accuses Thailand of launching, quote, a deliberate, unprovoked and unlawful military attack and says Bangkok continues mobilizing troops and equipment along the disputed border. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Chiang Rai.

[Nora Ramm]

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Berlin today to celebrate the German capital's Pride Parade, one of the largest LGBTQ celebrations in Europe. Revelers waved rainbow flags and bottles of beer. The parade route included the Brandenburg Memorial to those who were persecuted and killed in Nazi Germany. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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