NPR News: 07-28-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 28, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

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U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on European Imports

Timestamp: [00:51]

President Donald Trump announced that the United States will impose a 15% tax on imports from the European Union, a reduction from the previously threatened 30%. Speaking from his golf resort in Scotland, Trump remarked, “The tariffs we are imposing are significant, but not as high as what was previously discussed,” indicating a strategic move to balance economic pressures without escalating trade tensions. Investors have largely welcomed the adjustment, viewing it as a more manageable impact on international trade relations. The administration is actively seeking additional trade agreements with multiple countries ahead of the upcoming Friday deadline.

Trade Deal Secured with the European Union

Timestamp: [00:17]

In a significant development, President Trump shook hands with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend to finalize a major trade deal. This agreement is expected to facilitate smoother economic interactions between the U.S. and EU, potentially offsetting some of the necessity for high tariffs. Trump’s remarks highlighted the deal’s importance: “This partnership is crucial for both our economies and will pave the way for future collaborations.”

Economic Indicators and Corporate Earnings

Timestamp: [00:51]

The economic landscape remains active as major corporations like Amazon and Apple, along with over 150 other companies, prepare to report their quarterly earnings. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet, with expectations leaning towards maintaining current interest rates despite ongoing pressures from the Trump administration to consider reductions. Market observers are closely monitoring these developments, especially in light of the recent tariff adjustments.

Conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s Ceasefire Deadline

Timestamp: [00:17]

President Trump has set a firm deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine by early September, threatening severe sanctions if unmet. Commenting on the situation, Trump stated, “Russia needs to make a commitment to peace now, or face the consequences.” This stance underscores the administration’s commitment to resolving the conflict through diplomatic and economic pressures.

Crisis in Gaza: Aid Efforts Under Strain

Timestamp: [01:34]

Israel has temporarily halted its military operations in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter the region. However, conflicting reports have surfaced regarding the severity of the humanitarian crisis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that claims of widespread starvation are fabricated, yet President Trump acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “The images of starving children on TV look real to me” ([01:34]). Aid organizations have documented distressing scenes of Palestinians queuing with minimal food supplies, raising fears of further escalation and casualties.

Health Policy Controversy: Task Force Leadership Changes

Timestamp: [02:26]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly preparing to remove members from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel that provides guidelines on primary care practices. Dr. Bobby Mukhamla of the American Medical Association expressed strong opposition, stating, “That's just fundamentally not how we should treat the science of screening people for things like cancer, for things like diabetes, for things like cardiology issues” ([02:46]). Over 100 health organizations have signed a letter urging Congress to protect the integrity of the task force amid these proposed changes.

Sudan’s Political Turmoil: Parallel Governments Amid Ongoing Conflict

Timestamp: [03:06]

Sudan is witnessing intensified political instability as a new coalition led by the Rapid Support Forces attempts to establish a parallel government, challenging the existing military-backed administration. The Sudanese foreign ministry has dismissed these efforts, but the ongoing feud between opposing military factions continues to claim lives and displace millions. The conflict, now spanning over two years, remains a critical humanitarian and geopolitical concern.

Record-Breaking Heat Wave Hits the Southeastern U.S.

Timestamp: [03:06]

A severe heat wave is set to affect the southeastern United States, with cities like Nashville, Tennessee, preparing for record-breaking temperatures. Authorities are urging residents to take precautions against the extreme heat, which is anticipated to intensify throughout the week.

Stargazing Alert: Meteor Showers This Week

Timestamp: [04:06]

Astronomy enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as minor meteor showers peak on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Unlike the Perseids, which will be hampered by a nearly full moon, the Southern Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids are expected to produce 20 to 30 meteors per hour ([04:06]). Observers are advised to find dark, unobstructed views of the southern sky and allow their eyes to adjust for the best experience.

Stock Market Update

Timestamp: [03:06]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has risen by 28 points, standing at 44,933. Market participants remain vigilant as they await further corporate earnings reports and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming decision on interest rates.

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For more updates, stay tuned to NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump says Russia no longer has until early September to commit to a ceasefire with Ukraine and avoid crippling sanctions. He's now giving President Vladimir Putin less than two weeks. Trump announced the new timeline to reporters today from his golf resort in Scotland, where he's been mixing presidential business with rounds of golf as supporters and protesters appeared near the Turnberry grounds. It's where he shook hands with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend to seal a trade deal. NPR's Marie Aspen has more on that.

[Progressive Insurance]

President Trump says the United States has agreed to impose new taxes of 15% on imports from the European Union. Details remain sparse, but investors are relieved that these tariffs aren't as high as the 30% Trump had previously threatened. Now Wall street is watching for other trade deals ahead of the president's Friday deadline to reach such agreements with dozens of countries. There's plenty going on at home this week as Amazon, Apple and more than 150 big companies report quarterly earnings. The Federal Reserve also meets and is widely expected to hold interest rates steady despite Trump's ongoing pressure to lower them. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Israel's paused its attacks on Gaza to allow aid to get in. But despite widespread reporting, including NPR's, the government is still denying people across the Palestinian enclave are starving. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Hamas is spinning lies. But in Scotland today, President Trump said the images of starving children on TV look real to him. Aid groups and news organizations have independently confirmed video of women, men and children queuing with empty pots or bowls at food distribution sites, risking a repeat of Israeli military gunfire, fights among themselves for the limited food and possible death. The Wall Street Journal reports health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is preparing to fire members of a panel responsible for guidelines on primary care. NPR's Ping Wang says medical groups are expressing concern.

[Ping Wang]

The members of the U.S. preventive Services Task Force have backgrounds in medicine, research and public health. Its 16 members make recommendations for primary care doctors on how to screen, advise and treat their patients. Dr. Bobby Mukhamla, President of the American Medical association, says if they get dismissed, it's likely to affect the quality of the guidance.

[Bobby Mukhamla]

That's just fundamentally not how we should treat the science of screening people for things like cancer, for things like diabetes, for things like cardiology issues.

[Ping Wang]

Earlier this month, the AMA, along with more than 100 health organizations, signed a letter to members of Congress urging them to protect the integrity of this group. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Dow Jones industrial Average is up 28 points at last check at 44,933. It's NPR News. Two major factions are competing for control of Sudan. A new coalition is challenging the military backed government's rule. The group led by the Rapid Support Forces, announced it was forming a parallel government which Sudan's foreign ministry promptly dismissed. Sudan's troops and paramilitary troops have been at war for more than two years as a result of a feud between opposing generals. Their conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The US Heat wave engulfing the southeastern region is expected to intensify this week. Areas including Nashville, Tennessee, are bracing for record breaking temps. Fans of shooting stars or meteors might want to look for them Tuesday night going into Wednesday morning. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports. That's when a couple of minor meteor showers will be at their peak.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The summertime meteor shower that gets the most attention is the Perseids. But this year, when the Perseid meteor shower peaks in mid August, the moon will almost full and that bright glare will make it really hard to see shooting stars. The moon isn't as much of a problem, though, this month for these two minor meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids. Together, they could produce 20 to 30 meteors per hour. But to see them, you need to be in a place where it's really dark, ideally with an unobstructed view of the southern part of the sky. Avoid artificial light, including your cell phone, and give your eyes at least 15 to 30 minutes to fully adjust. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.

[Bobby Mukhamla]

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