NPR News: 07-12-2025 10PM EDT

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NPR News Now 4 min 4 speakers 5 chapters transcribed 22 days ago

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What new tariffs is President Trump proposing for Mexico and the European Union?

Janine Herbst 0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herst. President Trump has sent a new round of letters imposing tariffs on US trading partners. As NPR's Tamar Keith reports, this time it's Mexico and the European Union.

Tamara Keith 0:17

Trump says he intends to hit both Mexico and the European Union with a 30% tariff rate starting August 1st. In the case of Mexico, he cites the country's inability to halt the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. In the EU letter, Trump blames long-term, large, and persistent trade deficits engendered by tariff and non-tariff policies and trade barriers. As with all the two, Dozen or so letters Trump has sent this month, he threatened Mexico and the EU with even higher tariffs if they respond with higher import levies of their own. Initially Trump said he was trying to secure new, more favorable trade deals.

How does Trump claim the tariff letters now serve as trade deals?

Tamara Keith 0:54

Now he says these letters are the deals. Tamara Keith and

Janine Herbst 0:57

PR News.

Janine Herbst 1:05

The lawmakers formerly outlined their concerns in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget along with the Department of Education.

Sequoia Carrillo 1:21

The Department of Education cited a need for more review of the programs before dispersing the funds. The programs in question help fund after-school programs, migrant education, and programs for English language learners. House Democrats banded together to send a letter urging the department to release the funds immediately. They estimate that the funds make up at least 10% of federal K-12 education funding for each. Each state. Calls for its dispersal have also come from senators in Colorado and Arizona, citing precedent and high need in the lead up to the approaching school year.

What is the current status of the search for missing people after the Texas flash floods?

Sequoia Carrillo 1:56

Sequoia Carillo, NPR News.

Janine Herbst 1:59

In central Texas, the search for more than one hundred seventy people still missing since the catastrophic flash flooding is now in its second week as professional and volunteer searchers from around the country and Mexico come the challenging banks of the Guadalupe River. Monica Watson is one of the volunteers helping haul debris from a home in Kerrville. It is really hard work. Um Especially out here in the heat and humidity. We're all heartbroken. And reporter Steve Foderman has more.

Steve Federman 2:28

The search is going on with no immediate end in sight.

Why are rescue crews struggling to locate additional victims in the Texas flood area?

Steve Federman 2:30

The search area has an enormous footprint covering miles and miles. The crews simply are not finding many additional bodies. It is possible that some of those missing may never be found. I think that reality is beginning to set in here. Last night a vigil took place at a makeshift memorial that's been set up.

Janine Herbst 2:50

Steve Federman reporting at least one hundred and twenty people have died. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A study suggests that the amount of microscopic plastic pollution in the world's oceans has been underestimated, and Piers Nate Rott has more.

Nate Rott 3:12

The new study focused on the North Atlantic Ocean, where researchers were looking for nanoplastics, plastic waste that's been broken down to about the size of a bacteria.

How does the new study reveal the extent of nanoplastic pollution in the North Atlantic?

Nate Rott 3:22

Because of their minute size, nanoplastics can enter and accumulate in living organisms like wildlife and humans. And the new research found a lot of it. The study published in the journal Nature estimates there's twenty-seven million tons of nanoplastics in the top ten meters of the North Atlantic alone. More broadly, the study's authors say their findings suggest that nanoplastics are now likely the largest amount of plastic pollution in the world's oceans. Nate Rott, N PR News.

Janine Herbst 3:55

Walmart is recalling more than eight hundred thousand stainless steel water bottles because the lids can forcefully pop off and possibly hit consumers. The recall affects the Ozark Trail sixty four ounce insulated water bottles. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it poses serious impact and laceration hazards. The CPSC says the risk happens when a consumer tries to open the bottles after food, carbonated beverages, or other liquids have been stored for a while. Walmart has received three reports of people being injured after being struck in the face by the lids when opening their bottles. Two of them suffered permanent vision loss.