NPR News Now: June 23, 2025
Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: June 23, 2025
U.S. Bombings in Iran and International Repercussions
Dale Willman opens the episode by addressing the escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent U.S. bombings in Iran. He highlights U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres's concerns, stating:
"The U.S. bombings in Iran have brought the Middle East to a perilous place, so he's calling for diplomacy and restraint."
[00:20]
Michelle Keleman, reporting for NPR, provides insights from Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, who commends President Trump's actions:
"The world should be thanking President Trump for, in his words, incredible bravery and morality for US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites."
[00:36]
Contrasting this, Guterres warns of the potential for ongoing retaliation:
"We now risk descending into a rat hole of retaliation after retaliation. To avoid it, diplomacy must prevail."
[00:50]
Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, emphasizes the urgency of diplomatic efforts:
"He's willing to go to Iran saying there's a window for diplomacy. But if that closes, [the] world's nuclear non-proliferation regime could collapse."
[01:00]
Domestic Political Reactions to the Strikes
Dale Willman shifts focus to the domestic political landscape, noting President Trump's provocative statements on social media questioning the sustainability of Iran's current regime:
"If the current Iran regime is unable to make Iran great again, why, why wouldn't there be a regime change?"
[01:16]
In contrast, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarifies the administration's stance:
"The U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities was not about regime change."
[01:16]
Stephen Fowler discusses the backlash from Democratic lawmakers who criticize the administration for bypassing Congress:
"Democratic lawmakers say not involving Congress beforehand is unconstitutional before even getting to the merits of the strike being the best course of action."
[01:45]
Furthermore, top Democrats were reportedly not briefed about the mission until after the strikes had commenced, raising additional objections:
"The decision to strike without Congress's approval also escalated risk for our troops."
[01:45]
Surprisingly, some Republicans are aligning with Democrats, advocating for congressional approval prior to such military actions:
"Some Republicans... are joining Democrats and saying the Trump administration should have gotten congressional approval before launching the strikes against Iran."
[02:13]
Legal Proceedings: Richard Jordan's Scheduled Execution
Dale Willman transitions to a domestic legal issue, reporting on the impending execution of Richard Jordan in Mississippi:
"A federal judge will not stop an upcoming execution set now for Mississippi. Richard Jordan would be the fifth person put to death in the US this month."
[02:13]
Kat Stromquist from the Gulf States Newsroom elaborates on the legal challenges surrounding Jordan's execution:
"Jordan's attorneys argue that the state's expected lethal injection protocol violates his constitutional rights. They say the sedative midazolam... can't keep Jordan from feeling severe pain."
[02:35]
The court, however, remains unconvinced by the arguments, citing conflicting expert testimonies:
"It declines a request to bar the execution by that method, but it says it must be stopped if Jordan shows signs of consciousness or feeling after receiving Midazolam. Jordan's lawyers are appealing."
[02:35]
The execution is scheduled for Wednesday, pending further legal actions.
Technological Advancements: Autonomous Vehicles
Dale Willman reports on advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, highlighting Tesla's latest endeavors:
"Tesla began a test run of its Robo taxi in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Owner Elon Musk has promised to have the vehicles operating across the country soon, but the company has delayed its rollout."
[03:16]
In comparison, Waymo is already making strides in the driverless taxi market:
"Tesla competitor Waymo, meanwhile, is already successfully operating driverless taxis in a number of US Cities, including Phoenix, Arizona."
[03:16]
Sports Highlights: NCAA Baseball Championship and NBA Finals
The episode shifts to sports, beginning with the NCAA Baseball Championship:
Greg Eklund narrates LSU's triumph over Coastal Carolina University:
"Louisiana State University captured the NCAA baseball championship on Sunday afternoon with a 5 to 3 win over Coastal Carolina University at the College World Series underway in Omaha."
[03:16]
He details pivotal moments, including critical ejections and a decisive rally:
"In the first inning... both [Coastal Carolina's] head coach, Kevin Schnall and his first base coach, Matt Schilling, were both ejected for continued arguing with the umpires about balls and strikes. LSU took command of the game with a four-run rally in the fourth..."
[04:00]
Stephen Fowler adds context to the championship game:
"Final game of the national championship."
[04:21]
Greg Eklund concludes by noting LSU's achievement:
"It was LSU's eighth national championship in baseball. Only USC, with 12, has won more."
[04:23]
Turning to the NBA Finals, Dale Willman reports the Oklahoma Thunder's victory:
"The Oklahoma Thunder pulled away in the second half on Sunday to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-91. They won their second NBA title in franchise history. It took them the final game of the best of seven series to get that win. The Pacers lost star Tyrese Halliburton early in the game because of a lower right leg injury."
[04:33]
Conclusion
This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates significant international tensions involving U.S. military actions in Iran and the ensuing diplomatic and political ramifications. Domestically, it addresses critical legal battles over the death penalty and celebrates notable achievements in sports, all while highlighting ongoing technological advancements in autonomous transportation. Notable quotes and detailed reports provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing issues.