NPR News Now: June 10, 2025, 2PM EDT

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh

President Trump Defends Military Deployment in Los Angeles

[00:19] President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Oval Office, defending his decision to deploy military service members to Los Angeles. He asserted, “If the federal government did not get involved, Los Angeles would be burning,” emphasizing the necessity of federal intervention amidst rising tensions.

However, this move has sparked controversy. Critics argue that the deployment exacerbates unrest, particularly concerning the detention of numerous immigrants without due process both in California and nationwide. On Capitol Hill, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny regarding the Pentagon budget and the legality of deploying troops domestically.

During a heated exchange, California Congressman Pete Aguilar challenged the move, stating, “The law only allows using troops domestically in case of foreign invasion, rebellion or when police can't enforce laws” [01:14]. An unnamed commentator echoed these concerns, questioning the authority under which the troops were deployed: “Which authority is triggered here? I don't know. You just read it yourself. But it sounds like all three to me” [01:28].

California Governor has publicly opposed the military presence, leading to a lawsuit against the Trump administration, citing that the deployment could cost over $140 million. Currently, nearly 5,000 National Guard members and Marines are stationed in Los Angeles, a move that continues to stir debate. (Reported by Quill Lawrence, NPR News)

Russia Launches Major Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine

[01:40] In escalating tensions, Russia has initiated significant drone and missile attacks against Ukraine, targeting strategic locations including a maternity hospital. NPR's Greg Myre reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the assault as “one of the heaviest assaults yet on the capital, Kyiv” [01:53].

The attacks involved over 300 drones and several missiles overnight, marking the most intensive phase of the conflict to date. Zelensky has called on the United States and Europe to respond decisively, urging, “Not with silence, but with concrete action” [01:53]. The southern coastal city of Odesa also faced severe impacts, with the maternity hospital strike resulting in more than a dozen injuries.

In retaliation, Ukraine executed a surprise drone strike on June 1 that successfully destroyed Russian warplanes. Since then, Russia has intensified its nighttime attacks, deploying upwards of 300 to 400 drones, the most aggressive campaign observed so far. (Reported by Greg Myre, NPR News)

New Jersey Gubernatorial Primaries Highlight Immigration and Affordability

[02:36] New Jersey is in the midst of its primary elections, with Democratic gubernatorial candidates pledging to oppose President Trump’s immigration and executive policies. Conversely, Republican frontrunners have committed to continuing Trump’s approaches if elected.

Registered Democrats in New Jersey surpass Republicans by over 800,000 voters. Historical trends suggest that the party not holding the governorship for more than two consecutive terms tends to win the next election. The central theme among all candidates is the pressing need to make the Garden State more affordable for its residents.

WHYYY's David Matthau provides on-the-ground insights into the evolving political landscape in New Jersey, highlighting the bipartisan focus on affordability and the strategies each party employs to resonate with voters. (Reported by David Matthau, WHYYY)

International Efforts to Protect Global Oceans Progressing

[03:14] At the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, France, representatives from dozens of countries are nearing the ratification of a groundbreaking treaty aimed at expanding environmental protections for international waters. Scientists have long warned about the warming of oceans due to climate change, exacerbated by human activities like overfishing and deep-sea mining.

Currently, only 1% of the high seas—a vast two-thirds of the world's oceans—are protected. The proposed treaty would empower countries to establish marine protected areas, a critical step toward conserving marine biodiversity. To date, 49 countries have endorsed the treaty, falling 11 signatures short of the required number for it to come into effect, potentially as early as January.

This international collaboration marks a significant advancement in global environmental policy, reflecting a growing consensus on the need to safeguard oceanic ecosystems against ongoing threats. (Reported by NPR News)

Muslim Population Surges to 2 Billion Globally

[04:08] In a recent study by Pew Research, it has been revealed that Muslims are now the fastest-growing religious group worldwide. The global Muslim population has reached 2 billion, an increase of nearly 350 million people between 2022 and 2025, constituting over a quarter of the world’s population.

Despite this growth, Christians remain the largest religious group with 2.3 billion adherents, representing approximately 29% of the global population. The study analyzed comprehensive census data and surveys worldwide, noting that while the absolute number of Christians has risen, their relative share has decreased by nearly 2%.

Additionally, the number of individuals with no religious affiliation—referred to as "nones"—is on the rise, now accounting for nearly a quarter of the global population. This shift underscores significant changes in religious demographics and the increasing trend towards secularism in various regions. (Reported by Jason DeRose, NPR News)

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