NPR News: 07-24-2026 8AM EDT

The new round of US tariffs, a Russian hacking group exploiting a previously unknown software flaw, and a controversial FDA advisory panel vote on unregulated peptide drugs are the dominant developments in this NPR News Now broadcast. The episode also covers a sentencing in a high-profile political murder case and the delayed opening of a major international bridge.

Trump Imposes New Tariffs, Drawing Global Condemnation

President Trump’s latest trade action imposes tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 trading partners, replacing the temporary 10 percent global levies that expired at midnight. The administration’s stated rationale is that these countries have failed to adequately enforce bans on goods made with forced labor. This justification has been met with sharp criticism, particularly from the European Union. The EU’s top trade official, Valdis Dombrovskis, dismissed the US claims as “unfounded” and demanded evidence from the White House. He drew a pointed comparison between labor standards, asserting that Europe has “paid leave and very good working conditions,” and called on the US to uphold its side of the transatlantic trade deal struck last year. The tariffs are now in effect, escalating trade tensions with a broad coalition of nations.

Russian Hackers Exploit Zimbra Vulnerability for Espionage