NPR News: 07-28-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 28, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Release Date: July 29, 2025

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International Affairs

Growing Calls to Allow Food into Gaza

Israel is under increasing international pressure to permit more food supplies into Gaza amid a mounting humanitarian crisis. The World Health Organization reported that 63 people have died this month from hunger in the region. E.A. Batraoui of NPR detailed the situation:

"Israel is also facing renewed international pressure for a two-state solution," Batraoui stated at 00:19.

Two-State Solution Conference at the UN

France and Saudi Arabia co-chaired a significant conference at the United Nations advocating for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. This initiative follows France's recent decision to recognize the State of Palestine, aligning with over 100 countries that have already extended recognition.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the conference, emphasizing the urgency of halting ongoing hostilities:

"The creeping annexation of the occupied West Bank is illegal. It must stop. The wholesale destruction of Gaza is intolerable. It must stop," Guterres declared at 00:58.

Despite his somber remarks, Guterres underscored the necessity of a two-state solution:

"These grim realities are why a two-state solution is needed," he explained.

However, the conference faced criticism as Israel and the United States chose not to participate. Israel's ambassador to the UN criticized the organizers, stating at 01:12:

"The conference's organizers were engaging in discussions disconnected from reality."

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Breaking News

Active Shooter Reported in Manhattan

An active shooter situation has been reported in Manhattan, specifically near East 52nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, close to the Blackstone Building—the headquarters of a major private equity firm and asset manager. New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the public at 01:29:

"We've been briefed on the limited information available. People are being urged to avoid areas around East 52nd Street due to ongoing police activity."

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U.S. Politics

Federal Appeals Ruling Weakens Voting Rights Protections

A significant legal development has occurred as a federal appeals panel has weakened federal voting rights protections in seven states, particularly affecting voters with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Hansi Lo Wang of NPR reported at 02:18:

Arkansas United, an immigrant advocacy group, had previously sued over an Arkansas law that restricts individuals from assisting more than six voters in casting ballots. This law directly challenges Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, which allows voters needing assistance to receive help from a person of their choice. While a federal judge initially ruled the Arkansas law unconstitutional, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned this decision, stating that private individuals and groups do not have the standing to sue under this section.

This ruling follows the U.S. Supreme Court's recent extension of a pause on a similar case, and the higher court is expected soon to undertake a full review of the matter.

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Economy

Federal Reserve Anticipated to Hold Interest Rates Steady

Economists predict that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates during this week's policy meeting, despite ongoing pressure from influential figures such as former President Donald Trump. Trump's calls for lower rates aim to stimulate the U.S. economy, but the Fed appears poised to keep rates unchanged. Windsor Johnston reported this update at 03:01.

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International Relations

Ceasefire Between Thailand and Cambodia

A ceasefire agreement has been successfully brokered between Thailand and Cambodia, bringing an end to a five-day border conflict. Malaysian Prime Minister announced the deal following violent clashes that erupted after a landmine explosion injured Thai soldiers. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people and displaced over 250,000 individuals.

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Culture

Lebanon Mourns Iconic Artist Ziad Rabbani

Lebanon is commemorating the life of Ziad Rabbani, a revered musician, lyricist, playwright, and director who passed away at the age of 69. NPR's Jawad Riz Khalil provided an in-depth look at Rabbani's impact:

"AR Rahbani was a cultural phenomenon... he was staunchly secular," Khalil noted at 03:55. Rabbani was celebrated for his satirical plays that critiqued Lebanese society, politics, and Israel. His musical compositions blended jazz with classical Arabic music, and he gained prominence by composing for his mother, the legendary singer Fayrouz.

Lebanese cartoonist Bernard Haj encapsulated Rabbani's essence:

"He was a mix of Tom Waits, George Carlin, Dorothy Parker, and John Stewart with the existential despair of Kafka."

A heartfelt tribute was held in Beirut, where hundreds gathered as Rabbani's coffin was carried amidst his beloved songs.

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Financial Markets

Mixed Performance on Wall Street

Wall Street presented a mixed day for investors:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Decreased by 64 points
• NASDAQ Composite: Increased by 70 points
• S&P 500: Rose by 1 point

Windsor Johnston provided this financial update at 04:43.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical issues from international conflicts and voting rights in the U.S. to significant cultural losses and financial market movements. Notable quotes from key figures like Antonio Guterres highlighted the urgency of resolving long-standing geopolitical tensions, while recent legal rulings and economic decisions continue to shape the socio-political landscape both domestically and globally.

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This summary is based on the transcript of NPR News Now aired on July 28, 2025, at 8 PM EDT.

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy, plus get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Israel is facing growing calls from around the world to let more food into Gaza. The World health organization says 63 people have died this month from hunger. NPR's E.A. batraoui reports. Israel is also facing renewed international pressure for a two state solution.

[E.A. Batraoui]

France and Saudi Arabia co chaired a conference at the UN calling for a two state solution. It comes after France said it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining more than 100 countries that have already done so. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at the conference a two state solution is more remote now than ever.

[Antonio Guterres]

The creeping annexation of the occupied west bank is illegal. It must stop. The wholesale destruction of Gaza is intolerable. It must stop.

[E.A. Batraoui]

But, he said these grim realities are why a two state solution is needed. Many countries participated in the meeting, but Israel and the US did not. Israel's ambassador to the UN Said the conference's organizers were engaging in discussions disconnected from from reality. Ariel Batrawi, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

We have reports of an active shooter in Manhattan at this hour and a post on social media. New York City Mayor Eric Adams says that he's been briefed on the limited information available. People are being urged to avoid areas around East 52nd street between Park and Lexington Avenues due to police activity. The incident took place in the vicinity of the Blackstone Building, headquarters to a major private equity firm and asset manager. A federal appeals panel has issued a ruling that weakens federal voting rights protections in seven states for voters with disabilities and those with limited proficiency in English. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports. It's the latest court ruling that may end up curtailing enforcement of the landmark Voting Rights act across the country.

[Zila Wang]

An immigrant advocacy group called Arkansas United sued over a law in the southern state that bans a person from helping more than six voters cast their ballots, a part of the Voting Rights act known as sex section 208 generally allows voters who need help because of a disability or inability to read or write to get help from a person of their choice. A federal judge ruled the Arkansas law violated the Voting Rights Act. But after an appeal by Republican state officials, a panel of the 8th U.S. circuit Court of Appeals has now found that private individuals and groups like Arkansas United do not have the right to sue under this section of the Voting Rights Act. Last week, the US Supreme Court extended a pause on a similar ruling about a different Voting Rights act section. The high court is expected to be asked soon to take up a full review of that ruling. Zila Wang, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Economists are expecting the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady at this week's policy meeting. That's despite months of pressure from President Trump for the central bank to lower rates to help boost the US Economy. This is NPR News. A cease fire agreement is now in effect between Thailand and Cambodia. The prime minister of Malaysia announced the deal today after a five day border conflict between the two countries. The clashes began last Thursday, Thursday after a landmine explosion wounded Thai soldiers. The violence has killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 250,000. Lebanon is remembering one of its most iconic artists. NPR's Jawad Riz Khalil reports. The country's national news agency reports that Ziad Rabbani died this weekend at the age of 69.

[Jawad Riz Khalil]

AR Rahbani was a cultural phenomenon, a musician and lyricist, playwright and director in a country that could be violently sectarian. He was staunchly secular. His plays delivered bitingly satirical, uncompromising critiques of Lebanese society and politics as well as Israel. His songwriting fused jazz and classical Arabic music. He first rose to prominence composing music for his mother, the legendary Lebanese singer Fayrouz. The Lebanese cartoonist Bernard Haj described him as a mix of Tom Waits, George Carlin, Dorothy Parker and John Stewart with the existential despair of Kafka. On Sunday, hundreds gathered in this Beirut neighborhood as the yet Rahbani's coffin left the hospital singing his songs through their tears. NPR News, Beirut.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks traded mixed on Wall street today. The dow was down 64 points at the close. The NASDAQ Composite up 70. The S&P 500 up one point. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Capital One Representative]

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