NPR News: 07-31-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 31, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Producer: NPR
Release Date: July 31, 2025

---

Economic Update: Stock Market and Inflation Report

[00:16] Dale Willman opened the episode by highlighting a positive start in the stock market. “Stocks opened higher this morning as the Commerce Department reported an uptick in inflation last month,” he reported. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed approximately 90 points in early trading.

[00:32] Scott Horsley provided a deeper analysis, stating, “The Commerce Department says consumer prices in June were up 2.6% from a year ago.” This marks a larger annual increase compared to the previous month, even after excluding volatile food and energy prices. Core inflation stood at 2.8%.

Horsley emphasized the significance of these figures for the Federal Reserve, noting, “The department's inflation yardstick is closely watched by the Federal Reserve.” He mentioned that Fed policymakers recently voted 9 to 2 to maintain current interest rates as they strive to bring inflation back to target levels. However, some committee members expressed concerns that “President Trump's tariffs are pushing prices in the opposite direction,” potentially hindering inflation control efforts.

Additionally, new claims for unemployment benefits remained largely unchanged last week. Horsley assured listeners that a comprehensive update on the U.S. job market would be available the following day from the Labor Department.

International Diplomacy: Canada's Move to Recognize a Palestinian State

[01:14] Dale Willman transitioned to international news, announcing that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared Canada’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.

[01:22] Mark Carney elaborated on the conditions for recognition: “This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much-needed reforms, including commitments by the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold General elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.”

Carney’s statement follows France’s similar commitment, bringing the total support for a Palestinian state to over 140 countries. This significant international backing underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

Aviation Safety: NTSB Investigates Mid-Air Crash Near Washington, D.C.

[01:42] Dale Willman reported on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) convening three days of hearings to investigate a mid-air collision between a regional jet and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., earlier this year.

[02:10] Joe Hernandez detailed the focus of the testimonies: “The crash occurred at 278 feet of altitude, even though the Army Blackhawk helicopter shouldn't have been flying higher than 200 feet in that area.” Several Army representatives acknowledged that “barometric altimeters have discrepancies of that amount or more,” which could have contributed to the accident.

Hernandez continued, “Witnesses also testified about the crowded airspace around Ronald Reagan, while Washington National Airport, or DCA, there had been concerns in the past about army helicopter routes passing near the busy airport, as well as discussions about eliminating or changing the route.” The NTSB is set to hear additional testimonies on air traffic control protocols, collision avoidance technology, and other pertinent factors.

Aviation Incidents: Delta Flight Turbulence and Climate Change

In other aviation news, Dale Willman reported that a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence overnight, resulting in injuries to approximately 25 passengers. The flight was diverted to a Minnesota airport to facilitate the transportation of the injured to local hospitals. While serious injuries from turbulence remain rare, scientists warn that such incidents are likely to increase as climate change alters the jet stream patterns, making turbulent weather more common.

Conflict in Ukraine: Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv

Tragedy struck in Ukraine as Dale Willman reported that a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv resulted in the collapse of a nine-story residential building. “At least eight people were killed and more than 50 others injured today,” Willman stated. The attack impacted at least 27 separate areas across the country, with many residents trapped in the rubble awaiting rescue. The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating effects on civilian infrastructure and lives in Ukraine.

Space Exploration: SpaceX and NASA Launch Crew to International Space Station

[03:49] Brendan Byrne provided an exciting update on space exploration. NASA and SpaceX are preparing to launch a crew of four to the International Space Station (ISS) from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center in just over two hours.

Byrne detailed the mission’s crew composition: “SpaceX's Dragon capsule will carry two U.S. astronauts, one from Japan and a Russian cosmonaut.” The journey to the ISS will take approximately a day and a half, after which the crew will spend about six months aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The mission features Pilot Mike Fink, marking his fourth trip to space, having previously launched on NASA’s Space Shuttle and Russia’s Soyuz capsule. Additionally, Commander Zena Cardman is set for her first spaceflight. Originally slated to launch the station last year, Cardman was reassigned to this mission following NASA’s decision to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams via SpaceX’s capsule instead of Boeing’s unsafe Starliner.

Aviation Delays: Heathrow Airport Flight Cancellations

[04:31] Dale Willman reported ongoing aviation disruptions in the United Kingdom. London’s Heathrow Airport has experienced an increase in flight cancellations today. This follows a major incident the previous day, where over 120 flights nationwide were canceled due to technical problems with the country’s air traffic control system. The initial delay lasted about 20 minutes but led to widespread travel inconveniences throughout the day. Efforts are underway to address the technical issues and restore normal flight operations.

---

Note: This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on July 31, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast episode.

Transcript

[Progressive Insurance]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance. Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Stocks opened higher this morning as the Commerce Department reported an uptick in inflation last month. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, the Dow Jones industrial average rose about 90 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

The Commerce Department says consumer prices in June were up 2.6% from a year ago. That's a bigger annual increase than the previous month, stripping out volatile food and energy prices. Core inflation was 2.8%. The department's inflation yardstick is closely watched by the Federal Reserve. Yesterday, Fed policymakers voted 9 to 2 to hold interest rates steady as the central bank tries to wrestle inflation back down to its targets. Some members of the Fed's Rate setting Committee worry that President Trump's tariffs are pushing prices in the opposite direction. New claims for unemployment benefits showed little change last week. We'll get a more complete picture of the US Job market tomorrow from the Labor Department. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government will recognize a Palestinian state when the UN General assembly meets in September.

[Mark Carney]

This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much needed reforms, including commitments by the Palestinian Authority's President Abbas to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold General elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state.

[Dale Willman]

Carnegie's announcement comes just days after France made a similar commitment. More than 140 countries now support a Palestinian state. The National Transportation Safety Board is holding three days of hearings on the mid air crash between a regional jet and and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C. earlier this year. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, testimony so far has focused on altitude discrepancies and the crowded D.C. airspace.

[Joe Hernandez]

The crash occurred at 278ft of altitude, even though the Army Blackhawk helicopter shouldn't have been flying higher than 200ft in that area. Yet several army representatives said it's not uncommon for barometric altimeters to have discrepancies of that amount or more. Witnesses also testified about the crowded airspace around Ronald Reagan, while Washington National Airport, or dca, there had been concerns in the past about army helicopter routes passing near the busy airport, as well as discussions about eliminating or changing the route. The NTSB will also hear testimony on air traffic control at the airport, collision avoidance technology and more. Joe Hernandez, NPR news, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Some 25 passengers were injured overnight when their Delta Air Lines flight was hit by serious turbulence. The the flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam was diverted to an airport in Minnesota so those injured could be taken to local hospitals. Serious injuries from turbulence are rare, but scientists say such incidents will become more common as climate change alters the jet stream. You're listening to NPR news. At least eight people were killed and more than 50 others injured today when a Russian missile and drone attack on the capital of Kyiv hit a nine story residential building. Much of the building collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people in the rubble. At least 27 separate areas across the country were hit in this latest attack. NASA and SpaceX are preparing to launch a crew of four to the International Space Station from Florida's Kennedy Space center in just over two hours. Central Florida Public Media's Brendan Byrne has more on that story.

[Brendan Byrne]

SpaceX's Dragon capsule will carry two U.S. astronauts, one from Japan and a Russian cosmonaut. After launching, it will take about a day and a half to make it to the station. Once there, the crew will spend about six months living and working aboard the orbiting lab. The mission's pilot, Mike Fink, will mark his fourth trip to space, launching previously on NASA's Space Shuttle and Russia's Soyuz capsule. It will be the first spaceflight for Commander Zena Cardman. She was set to launch the station last year but was bumped from that mission. To make room for NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the agency determined their ride to space Boeing's Starliner capsule was unsafe to return them, and instead they return to Earth in SpaceX's capsule. For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne in Orlando.

[Dale Willman]

More flights have been canceled today at London's Heathrow Airport. That comes just one day after more than 120 flights around the country were cancelled on Wednesday because of technical problems with the country's air traffic control system. Wednesday's delay lasted for about 20 minutes, and it caused travel problems throughout the day. You're listening to NPR News.

[NPR Sponsor]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR newsnow +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.