NPR News: 06-24-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: June 24, 2025 – Detailed Summary

By NPR

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1. Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Iran

President Trump's Ceasefire Announcement

At [00:20], Giles Snyder reported that President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, urging both nations via a social media post to honor the truce. However, the effectiveness and adherence to this ceasefire remained uncertain.

Recent Missile Strikes and Retaliations

Shortly after the announcement, tensions flared as an Iranian missile barrage targeted Israel, resulting in casualties. Israeli emergency services confirmed that at least four people were killed and eight others injured in the attack on Monday ([00:35]).

Fatima Al Kassab added details at [00:45], stating, "Israel struck Iran's most notorious prison," referring to the Aveen Prison in Tehran. Iranian state media acknowledged the strike, showing security footage with black smoke emanating from the facility ([00:51]). The Iranian government claimed that while the attack caused damage, they retained control over the prison. Conversely, the Israeli military confirmed targeting the prison and other strategic sites, including the headquarters of Iranian paramilitary forces involved in state repression. In retaliation, Iran launched a new multi-warhead ballistic missile at Israel, though the Israeli military declined to comment on the specifics of the munitions used ([00:51]).

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2. United Kingdom Bans Pro-Palestinian Activist Group

Criminalization of the Palestine Action Group

At [01:39], Fatima Al Kassab reported that the British government has banned the Palestine Action Group under anti-terrorism laws, making it illegal to be a member of or support the organization. This decision follows the group's recent activities, including the vandalization of two British warplanes at a military base ([01:48]).

Public and Activist Reactions

Oscar Layens, a demonstrator, voiced his concerns at [02:19], stating, "They're responding by just legislating to criminalize and it's extremely reactionary and we're seeing growing authoritarianism in the UK with such bans." He highlighted that similar bans have previously been imposed on groups like Boko Haram and Al Qaeda ([02:27]). The targeted planes were part of a force involved in reconnaissance flights over Gaza and supporting the Israeli military. The UK government condemned the group's actions as "unacceptable criminal damage" and "disgraceful" ([02:00]).

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3. Intense Heat Wave Grips the United States

Impact on Urban Centers

Fatima Al Kassab introduced the topic at [02:41], noting that forecasters predict a persistent heat wave affecting a large portion of the country. Giles Snyder added that the intense heat is expected to continue throughout the week ([02:45]).

Expert Insights on Heatwave Effects

NOAA meteorologist Dave Roth explained at [02:52], "When you get heat waves, urban centers are more disproportionately impacted because of all the buildup, because of the bricks and the asphalt and the pavement. So the bigger the cities are, the bigger the impact of the people who live in the cities." He emphasized that larger cities experience more severe effects due to their infrastructure ([02:52]). The government's heat health website warns of "extremely dangerous heat" persisting from the Midwest to the East Coast ([03:07]).

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4. U.S. Supreme Court Permits Deportations to Third Countries

Legal Ruling and Its Implications

At [03:21], Fatima Al Kassab reported that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the deportation of immigrants to countries other than their own. An unsigned order from the court overturns a lower court's decision that required noncitizens to be given an opportunity to appeal their deportations ([03:35]). The ruling, which saw dissent from three liberal justices, paves the way for the Department of Homeland Security to commence deportations to third countries potentially in the near future ([03:35]).

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5. Assassination Attempt on Ukrainian President Zelensky

Plot Uncovered by Ukrainian Security Services

Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a serious threat emerged against President Volodymyr Zelensky. Fatima Al Kassab reported at [03:43] that Ukraine's security chief, Vasil Malyuk, disclosed Russia's attempt to assassinate Zelensky in Poland. Zelensky frequently travels to Poland by train due to closed Ukrainian airspace from Russian attacks ([03:55]).

Details of the Assassination Plot

NPR reporter Joanna Kakisis provided further details at [04:00], stating, "A Polish pensioner working as a Russian sleeper agent was planning to, quote, physically eliminate Zelensky at the airport in the Polish city of Zezov." The plot involved using either an FPV drone or a sniper to carry out the assassination. Malyuk confirmed that Ukrainian and Polish security services collaborated to thwart the attempt, noting that this incident is not the first; Zelensky estimated that there have been more than ten assassination plots against him based on Ukrainian intelligence ([04:00]).

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6. President Trump's Upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague

Scheduled Flight and Summit Objectives

As the day progresses, President Trump is set to board Air Force One for a flight to The Hague ([04:46]) to participate in a NATO summit ([04:51]). The summit aims to bring together allied leaders to discuss strategic responses to ongoing global tensions, particularly focusing on the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

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This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, insights, and developments featured in the June 24, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. From international conflicts and domestic policy changes to environmental challenges and high-stakes political meetings, the episode provides listeners with a thorough overview of current events shaping the world.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump says a ceasefire between Israel and Iran is now in effect and in a social media post, he's urging both sides not to violate it.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The status of the trousseau is not clear.

[Giles Snyder]

Israel has not commented. And an Iranian missile barrage hit Israel. Israeli emergency services says at least four people were killed and eight others injured on Monday.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Israel struck Iran's most notorious prison.

[Giles Snyder]

Iran says the prison is under control. NPR's Jane Araf has more.

[Jane Araf]

Iranian state media said the Aveen prison in Tehran was hit by an Israeli attack Monday. Security camera footage posted on social media appeared to show black smoke billowing from a doorway with the name of the prison above even is used for political prisoners and foreign detainees, among others. The Iranian government said the Israeli attacks damaged part of the prison, but it still maintained control of the facility. The Israeli military said it targeted the prison and other sites, including the headquarters of Iranian paramilitary forces that are used for state repression. Iran said it struck Israel Monday with a new multi warhead ballistic missile. The Israeli military said it does not comment on munitions. Jay Neraf, NPR News, Aman.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The British government says it's banning a.

[Giles Snyder]

Pro Palestinian protest group under anti terrorism laws, meaning that it will be illegal to be a member of or support.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The Palestine Action Group, which last week.

[Giles Snyder]

Vandalized two British warplanes at a military base.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

NPR's Fatima Al Kasab reports from London.

[Giles Snyder]

The announcement came as protesters gathered nearby support of the group.

[Oscar Layens]

The UK Government says the Palestine Action Group has a long history of unacceptable criminal damage and called the attack disgraceful. Last week, activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and sprayed military planes with red paint. Demonstrator Oscar Layens says he's concerned about the response from UK Officials.

[Unnamed Protester]

They're responding by just legislating to criminalize and it's extremely reactionary and we're seeing growing authoritarianism in the UK Such bans.

[Oscar Layens]

Have previously been imposed on groups like Boko Haram and Al Qaeda. The planes targeted last week are part of a force that flies reconnaissance flights over Gaza and assists the Israeli military. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, London.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Forecasters say that heat wave that has a large portion of the country in.

[Giles Snyder]

Its grip is not going away soon. Dave Roth is a meteorologist with the.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

[Dave Roth]

When you get heat waves, urban centers are more disproportionately impacted because of all the buildup, because of the bricks and the asphalt and the pavement. So the bigger the cities are, the bigger the impact of the people who live in the cities.

[Giles Snyder]

The government's heat health website says extremely dangerous heat will persist late into this week from the Midwest to the East Coast. And from Washington, this is NPR News, at least for now.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The U.S. supreme Court is allowing the.

[Giles Snyder]

Deportation of immigrants to countries other than their own, and the Homeland Security Department is suggesting deportations to third countries could begin again soon. An unsigned order from the court blocks.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

A lower court's decision that required noncitizens.

[Giles Snyder]

Be provided an opportunity to appeal. The court's three liberal justices dissented.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The head of Ukraine's security service says.

[Giles Snyder]

Russia tried to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr zelensky in Poland. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports from Kyiv that Zelenskyy often travels to that neighboring country.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

By train because Ukraine's airspace is closed.

[Giles Snyder]

Due to Russian attacks.

[Joanna Kakisis]

In a statement, Vasil Malyuk, who leads the Ukraine Security Service, said a Polish pensioner working as a Russian sleeper agent was planning to, quote, physically eliminate Zelensky at the airport in the Polish city of Zezov. Malyuk did not say when his team had uncovered this plot, which involved using either an FPV drone or a sniper to kill Zelensky. He said Ukraine worked with Poland's security services. This is not the first that attempt on Zelensky's life. Speaking to Italian television last year, Zelensky estimated then that there had been more than 10 plots to assassinate him based on Ukrainian intelligence. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kiev.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, President.

[Giles Snyder]

Trump is scheduled aboard Air Force One.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

In a few hours for a flight to the Hague.

[Giles Snyder]

He is to join allies for the NATO summit. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

[NPR Sponsor]

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