NPR News: 08-07-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 08-07-2025 3AM EDT
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens

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International Trade: U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on Brazil and India

Shea Stevens opens the episode with a report on President Trump's latest tariffs affecting Brazil and India. The administration has implemented a 50% tariff on Brazilian beef and coffee, citing unfair political persecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing coup-related charges. Despite these measures, only 12% of Brazil's exports reach the U.S., allowing Brazil's economy to potentially mitigate the impact by seeking alternative markets.

Kerry Khan of NPR elaborates:

"Only about 12% of Brazil's exports go to the U.S. Most analysts say its economy will most likely weather the hit." (00:34)

Trump has also announced a 100% tariff on imports of computer chips and semiconductors, with exceptions for companies establishing chip factories in the U.S. Additionally, tariffs on Indian goods have surged from 25% to 50% as a punitive measure for India's purchase of Russian oil.

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Military Incident: Shooting at Fort Stewart

Tragedy struck at Fort Stewart when five soldiers were shot on Wednesday. The shooter, identified as 28-year-old Automated Logistics Sergeant Cornelius Radford, targeted his coworkers. Brigadier General John Lubas reported that all injured soldiers are expected to recover.

General Lubas stated:

"Army investigators are still looking into a possible motive for the shooting, but there is no evidence to suggest that the attack was motivated by extremist beliefs." (02:06)

An unnamed Army official commended the quick actions of local law enforcement and fellow soldiers who subdued the shooter:

"These soldiers without a doubt prevented further casualties." (01:57)

The Army remains focused on caring for the injured and their families as investigations continue. Peter Biello from Georgia Public Broadcasting provided these updates. (01:43)

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Political Developments: Governor Races in South Carolina and Tennessee

Shea Stevens reports on significant moves in state politics:

• Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Congresswoman, has declared her candidacy for governor. Speaking at a Myrtle Beach town hall, Mace emphasized her commitment to the state and aligned herself with Trump:

  "I can't—he's way healthier than I am. But I'm following his lead because he set a good example and no one will work harder for South Carolina than I will." (02:32)

• In Tennessee, Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, the first woman to represent the state in the Senate, is also running for governor. Her election would make her Tennessee's first female governor.

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Financial Markets: U.S. Futures Rise

U.S. futures experienced gains in after-hours trading, buoyed by Wednesday's positive market movements. This uptick reflects investor optimism amidst the current economic and political climate. (02:51)

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U.S.-Russia Relations: Potential Summit and Sanctions Threats

President Trump expressed optimism about meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, although no specific date was mentioned. Trump criticized Putin for past disappointments and threatened stiff sanctions if Russia does not pursue a ceasefire in Ukraine, expecting an agreement within days. This stance underscores the tense dynamics between the two nations. (02:51)

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International Incident: Ghana Helicopter Crash

A tragic helicopter crash in Ghana resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including two government ministers: Edward Omani Buama and Brahim Mohammed, the Environment Science and Technology Minister. The helicopter lost contact en route to the mining town of Obwasi in the Ashanti region. Emmanuel Akinwotu of NPR reports that the accident is considered a national tragedy by Ghanaian authorities, with both passengers and crew members among the casualties. (03:52)

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Obituary: Celebrating Bandleader Eddie Palmieri

Renowned bandleader and pianist Eddie Palmieri passed away at the age of 88. Palmieri was celebrated for his innovative fusion of jazz and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, shaping the landscape of Latin music. His influential piano work on tracks like "Bilango" and "La Belanga" left a lasting legacy, particularly in the Asia Pacific music markets. (04:26)

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NPR News Now continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest developments both domestically and internationally, ensuring listeners stay informed on critical issues shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump's sweeping new tariffs are now in effect. NPR's Kerry Khan reports that most of Brazil's exports got a reprieve, but there could be high costs for U.S. coffee and hamburger lovers.

[Kerry Khan]

Only about 12% of Brazil's exports go to the U.S. most analysts say its economy will most likely weather the hit. Last week, Trump exempted hundreds of Brazilian goods, including orange juice and aircrafts, but not Brazil's beef and coffee, which economists say Brazil will most likely be able to find alternative markets. Trump slapped Brazil with a 50% tariff, citing what he says is unfair political persecution of a political ally. Former far right President Jair Bolsonaro facing charges of plotting a coup in a tariff complaint with the World Trade Organization. Brazil claims the US Is flagrantly violating previously made trade commitments. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Shea Stevens]

President Trump says he's imposing 100% tariffs on imports of computer chips and semiconductors. There are exceptions for companies that build chip factories in the US the president announced Wednesday that he's raising tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 50% as punishment for buying Russian oil. The U.S. army says all five soldiers shot at Fort Stewart on Wednesday are expected to recover. From Georgia Public Broadcasting, Peter Biello has the story.

[Brigadier General John Lubas]

The army says the victims were co workers of the shooter who was identified as 28 year old Automated Logistics Sergeant Cornelius Radford. @ a press conference, Brigadier General John Lubas thanked local law enforcement and emergency services for their quick action.

[Unnamed Army Official]

I would also like to thank the brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter. These soldiers without a doubt prevented further casualties.

[Brigadier General John Lubas]

Army investigators are still looking into a possible motive for the shooting, but Luba says there is no evidence to suggest that the attack was motivated by extremist beliefs. The Army's primary focus, he says, is to care for the injured soldiers and their families. For NPR News, I'm Peter Biello in Atlanta.

[Shea Stevens]

South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace has thrown her hat into the race for governor. Here's Mace speaking at a town hall last night in Myrtle Beach.

[Nancy Mace]

I am Trump in high heat. I love what I am doing. I I mean he doesn't sleep. I don't do the the McDonald's fried fish. I can't I he's way healthier than I am. But I'm following his lead because he set a good example and no one will work harder for South Carolina than I will.

[Shea Stevens]

Mace told the audience that she bleeds red, white and blue in Tennessee. Republican U.S. senator Marsha Blackburn says she's running for governor next year. The Trump ally became the first woman to represent Tennessee in the US Senate, and if elected, Blackburn would be her state's first woman governor. U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall street following Wednesday's gains. This is npr. President Trump is sounding optimistic about meeting with his Russian counterpart in the near future. Trump did not mention any specific date and says that Vladimir Putin has disappointed him in the past. The president is threatening to impose stiff sanctions if Russia doesn't reach a ceasefire. Agree with Ukraine within days. A helicopter crash in Ghana has claimed eight lives, including those of two government ministers. Authorities say the helicopter lost contact while flying from a mining site in the southern region of the country. As NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports, Ghana's Defense.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Minister, Edward Omani Buama and the Environment Science and Technology Minister, Brahim Mohammed were among those killed in the crash. Ghana's deputy national security advisor and three Air Force crew on board also died. Ghana's military had earlier said it lost contact with the helicopter as the chopper was headed to the mining town Obwasi in the Ashanti region. From the capital Accra, five passengers and three crew members were on board. A spokesperson for Ghana's president has described the crash as a national tragedy. Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[Shea Stevens]

Bandleader and pianist Eddie Palmieri has died at the age of 88. Palmieri released a string of albums during the 1960s and 70s that fused jazz and Afro Caribbean beats to create a new style of Latin music. He is best remembered for his signature piano playing on songs such as Bilango and La Belanga on Asia Pacific markets. Shares are mixed up a fraction in Hong Kong. This is NPR News.

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