NPR News: 06-23-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 23, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Hosted by Kristen Wright

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U.S. Involvement Escalates in Israel-Iran Conflict

Timestamp: [00:17]

The National Security Council is set to meet with President Trump to discuss America's involvement in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Recent actions include American forces bombing three Iranian nuclear sites over the past weekend. Greg Myre of NPR details potential Iranian responses, stating, “Iran or one of its proxies could fire a missile or a drone at US troops in the region” (00:38). With approximately 40,000 U.S. personnel stationed across multiple bases, military forces remain on high alert. Additionally, Iran's parliament has symbolically approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for about 20% of the world's oil. However, further approval from Iran’s top Security Council is required for this action to take effect.

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President Trump to Attend NATO Summit Amid Defense Spending Debates

Timestamp: [01:06]

Following the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Trump is scheduled to depart for the NATO summit in the Netherlands. Deepa Shivaram reports that the summit's primary focus is urging NATO members to increase their defense budgets to 5% of their GDP, a significant rise from the current 2% requirement (01:32). This push is driven by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, prompting European nations to bolster their defense capabilities and reduce reliance on the United States. President Trump, who has previously criticized NATO for the financial burden on the U.S., reiterated his stance by stating, “NATO countries should increase to the 5% number, but he doesn't think the United States should have to” (Deepa Shivaram).

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Federal Judge Orders Release of Wrongly Deported Man in Tennessee

Timestamp: [02:13]

In a significant legal decision, a federal judge in Tennessee has ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported and subsequently returned to the U.S. to face criminal charges related to human smuggling. Mariana Bacallau reports that Garcia, a 29-year-old from Maryland, might instead be placed in ICE custody pending a trial scheduled for Wednesday (02:29). The judge concluded that the government failed to demonstrate Garcia was a flight risk. While prosecutors allege Garcia was involved in smuggling individuals for the MS-13 gang, the defense argues that the charges are a tactic to overshadow the lack of due process in his deportation case.

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Oklahoma City Thunder Clinches First NBA Championship

Timestamp: [03:12]

Celebrations erupted in Oklahoma City as the Thunder secured their first NBA championship with a thrilling Game Seven victory. Abigail Sikowski shares scenes from local festivities, highlighting the city's pride: “We're breaking through the boundaries of what people would call a small city, and we're ready” (03:45). Sip Alvarez, a local painting contractor, expressed his astonishment and joy, noting, “I'm not expecting my employees to come into work today as they celebrate the victory” (03:53). This championship marks Oklahoma City's first major professional sports title, uniting the community in unprecedented celebration despite an ongoing heat wave affecting the region.

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Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Eastern United States

Timestamp: 04:15

A severe heat wave is affecting much of the eastern United States, with the National Weather Service issuing widespread extreme heat warnings and advisories. Predictions indicate that high temperatures will continue to soar, breaking numerous records over the coming days as global warming persists. The oppressive heat shows little sign of abating, even during overnight hours, posing significant challenges to public health and daily activities.

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U.S. Existing Home Sales Increase Slightly in May

Timestamp: 04:15

The housing market saw a modest uptick in existing home sales in May, rising by 8.10% from April, as reported by the National Association of Realtors. Despite this increase, high mortgage rates and escalating home prices have made purchasing homes less affordable for many Americans. Inventory levels have continued to rise, but affordability remains a significant barrier for potential buyers navigating the competitive real estate landscape.

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NPR News Now provides concise updates on the latest national and international news, ensuring listeners stay informed with timely and accurate information.

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Notable Quotes

• Greg Myre (00:38): “Iran or one of its proxies could fire a missile or a drone at US troops in the region.”
• Abigail Sikowski (03:45): “We're breaking through the boundaries of what people would call a small city, and we're ready.”
• Sip Alvarez (03:53): “I'm not expecting my employees to come into work today as they celebrate the victory.”

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This summary captures the key points and discussions from the NPR News Now episode released on June 23, 2025, at 12 PM EDT. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message comes from the Nature Conservancy. Nature is common ground for everyone, and uniting to protect nature can help solve today's challenges and create a thriving tomorrow for future generations. Discover [e-mail] NPR Live from NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

In Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. The National Security Council is scheduled to convene with President Trump in one hour. They will discuss US Involvement in the war between Israel and Iran. American forces bombed three Iranian nuclear this past weekend. NPR's Greg Myre explains how Iran could respond.

[Greg Myre]

Iran or one of its proxies could fire a missile or a drone at US troops in the region. There are around 40,000 US forces at multiple bases. They are on high alert and well aware that Iran has carried out these kind of attacks in the past. Iran could also try to disrupt oil shipping in the Gulf. Iran's parliament on Sunday approved closing the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the world's oil goes through the strait every day.

[Kristen Wright]

Approval to close the strait is seen as largely symbolic and requires further approval from Iran's top Security Council. Iran and Israel are continuing to trade attacks today. President Trump is set to depart to the NATO summit in the Netherlands tomorrow. His trip abroad to meet with European allies comes after he ordered the strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. NPR's Deepa Shivaram has more.

[Deepa Shivaram]

The president will spend just over a day at the Hague meeting with European allies. The main focus of this year's summit is getting NATO nations to increase their defense spending to 5% of total GDP. It's a huge bump from the current mandate of 2% GDP spending on defense. But the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia and Russia's threats of continued force have pushed European nations to try and reconfigure their own defense capabilities and rely less on the United States. President Trump has been critical of NATO for years, saying the US Spends too much money on supporting Europe. He said last week that NATO countries should increase to the 5% number, but he doesn't think the United States should have to. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

A federal judge in Tennessee is ordering the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He's the man wrongly deported and then returned to the US to face criminal charges. Mariana Bacallau with member station WPLN reports from Nashville.

[Mariana Bacallau]

The judge has ordered that Abrego Garcia be released as he awaits trial on human smuggling charges. But the 29 year old, who was wrongly deported from Maryland to El Salvador in March, may go into ICE custody instead, officials say. In her ruling, the judge writes that the government failed to prove that Abrego Garcia was a flight risk. Prosecutors say that Abrego Garcia smuggled people without legal status for the MS.13 gang. The the defense says that the charges are to distract from the lack of due process in Abrego Garcia's case. The conditions of his release will be discussed at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallau in Nashville.

[Kristen Wright]

This is NPR News from Washington. The Oklahoma City Thunder claimed its first NBA championship last night in a game seven victory. From member station KOSU, Abigail Sikowski reports on the celebration.

[Deepa Shivaram]

OkC. OkC.

[Abigail Sikowski]

That's the sound of Oklahoma City Thunder fans celebrating their squad's first championship. Sip Alvarez was among the crowd at a local bar for the game. He says he never expected to experience a victory like this.

[Kristen Wright]

We're breaking through the boundaries of what people would call a small city, and we're ready.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

Very proud to be an Oklahoman.

[Abigail Sikowski]

Alvarez works as a palace painting contractor in okc, but he says he's not expecting his employees to come into work today as they celebrate the victory. As Oklahoma City's only Big Four sports franchise. This is the city's first ever major championship in a professional sport. For NPR News, I'm Abigail Sikowski. In Oklahoma City, a heat wave is.

[Kristen Wright]

Blanketing much of the eastern half of the country. Extreme heat warnings and heat advisories are widespread. The National Weather Service says this oppressive heat is extremely expanding and there won't even be much relief during overnight hours. High temperatures are expected to break many records over the next several days as the planet continues to warm. Existing home sales edged slightly higher in May, rising 8. 10 of a percent from April. The national association of Realtors says high mortgage rates and rising prices made home buying less affordable even as inventory continues to increase. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message is from Synchrony Bank. Who wants to remind you to stay flexible. Not the 10,000 steps before breakfast, yoga, bending, circus performing. Wish I hadn't done that kind of flexible. It's about staying financially flexible. Like with our High Yield Savings Account, you'll earn a great rate without monthly fees or minimums that can slow your Progress. Go to synchrony.com NPR member FDIC.