NPR News Now: July 28, 2025, 2PM EDT

Hosted by NPR

1. European Union Agrees to New U.S. Trade Terms

Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by announcing that the European Union has agreed to President Donald Trump's latest trade deal. Under this agreement, EU goods will face a 15% tariff rate—the halved rate originally threatened by the U.S. as of the upcoming Friday. This development comes amidst broader tariff implementations affecting dozens of other countries.

[01:03] Ernie Teduski, a former top economic adviser for the Biden White House and current Director of Economics at Yale University's Budget Lab, provides insight into the impact of these tariffs:

"It is going to raise costs for American consumers and businesses, right? So the economic research that has been done on tariffs and there's been extensive economic research, and what we've seen so far this year suggests that foreign producers are not absorbing virtually any of the tariffs that have been imposed by the United States so far. So that means it's really up to American businesses and American consumers to bear them. And we see no reason why the EU tariffs will be any different."
[01:03]

Teduski emphasizes that the burden of the tariffs falls on U.S. consumers and businesses, as foreign producers are unlikely to absorb these additional costs.

2. President Trump's Trade Announcement Amid Concerns in Gaza

President Donald Trump announced the new trade deal during a visit to his golf resort in Scotland. However, the discussions in Aberdeen extended beyond trade tariffs. A significant part of the discourse was centered around the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

[01:42] When questioned about Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement denying starvation in Gaza, Trump responded:

"Not particularly. He told reporters he's seen the TV footage from Gaza."
[01:42]

[01:55] Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, expressed his concern:

"We can save a lot of people. I mean, some of those kids are. That's real starvation stuff. I see it. And you can't fake that."
[01:55]

During the joint session, Trump elaborated on the U.S. involvement:

"The US and other countries will be more involved setting up food centers where Palestinians can walk in without fences."
[02:03]

Starmer criticized the portrayal of the situation, while Trump committed to humanitarian assistance, aiming to alleviate starvation in Gaza through accessible food centers.

3. Changes in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Approach for 2030

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that the U.S. Census Bureau is altering its methodology for the upcoming 2030 national headcount. Traditionally, the Bureau employed doorknockers to verify addresses, but this decade marks a shift towards leveraging technology.

[02:43] Yvonne Jones of the GAO outlines the changes:

"Census Bureau tries to get a count of all US Residents once a decade, it puts together a list of all the country's home addresses ahead of the 2020 count. The Bureau hired doorknockers to help verify about a third of those addresses. But Yvonne Jones of the Government Accountability Office says this decade the bureau is not planning to hire those temporary workers. Instead, it's going to rely more on satellite images and have the bureau staff and AI analyze them."
[02:43]

[03:05] Beer adds:

"Their belief is using these newer, more updated methods may allow them to gather the information as accurately, but faster and at a lower cost."
[03:05]

However, challenges persist. Yvonne Jones notes:

"It can be difficult using satellite images to identify homes in more densely populated areas."
[03:18]

The Census Bureau aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through technological advancements, though recognizing the complexities in urban environments.

4. Doctors Criticize FDA Panel on Psychiatric Medications for Pregnant Women

A recent FDA-organized panel evaluating the use of certain psychiatric medications by pregnant and postpartum women has drawn criticism from the medical community. Healthcare professionals argue that the panel misrepresented data and disseminated misinformation.

[03:56] Dr. Nancy Byatt, a psychiatrist at UMass Chan Medical School, comments:

"A majority of panelists cited studies they say illustrate health risks of SSRIs, which include drugs like Zoloft and Prozac. They said the medications have been linked to worse pregnancy outcomes, like miscarriage and birth defects."
[03:56]

Contrary to the panel's assertions, several healthcare groups have stated that SSRI use during pregnancy is extensively studied and generally considered safe.

[04:20] Ritu Chatterjee reports:

"What the overall data shows, in fact, is that antidepressants are not associated with major birth defects."
[04:20]

[04:27] Dr. Nancy Byatt further clarifies:

"She says the data also show that most SSRIs are safe and effective for pregnant and postpartum women."
[04:27]

The medical community emphasizes the importance of accurate data representation to ensure that pregnant and postpartum women receive appropriate and safe psychiatric care.

5. Syria Preparing for Parliamentary Elections Amidst Minority Skepticism

Syrian state media has announced plans to conduct its first parliamentary elections since the Assad regime's fall in December. However, skepticism persists among the country's minority groups regarding the new government's commitment to their protection.

Reports indicate ongoing sectarian tensions, with hundreds of lives lost in recent clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters. Additionally, there are claims that Syrian government forces have engaged in conflicts with Druze communities, further eroding trust among minorities.

Lakshmi Singh summarizes:

"The government, led by former militant commander Ahmed Al Shara, plans to hold its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the Assad regime last December. However, many of Syria's minority groups remain skeptical of President Shara's pledge to protect them. They point to hundreds of lives believed lost in recent sectarian clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters, as well as reports that Syrian government forces also fought against Druze. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington."
[04:33]

The forthcoming elections are viewed with caution by minority communities, who question the new leadership's ability and willingness to ensure their safety and representation.

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