NPR News Now: June 24, 2025, 4 PM EDT

1. U.S. Military Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites

Timestamp: [00:17]

Kristen Wright opens the episode with a report on recent U.S. military actions against Iranian nuclear facilities. An unnamed U.S. official revealed that strikes targeted three Iranian nuclear sites last Saturday, including the underground Fordo facility. The official stated, “The damage to the centrifuges at the underground Fordo facility was limited” (00:17). Contrary to President Trump's earlier claims that the attacks would "obliterate Iran's nuclear enrichment program," the early assessments indicate only a setback of a few months to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

2. NATO Summit and Defense Spending Debates

Timestamp: [01:02]

As President Trump attends the NATO summit in the Netherlands, NPR’s Deepa Shivaram provides insights into the key discussions. The summit aims to secure commitments from NATO members to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense over the next decade. However, President Trump expressed skepticism about the U.S. adhering to this target. On his flight to the summit, Trump remarked, “I don't think the US needs to pay what Europe pays” (01:02). Additionally, Trump remains uncertain about his position on Article 5 of the NATO charter, a mutual defense agreement. He stated his commitment to "saving lives" and promised to clarify his stance on Article 5 upon arrival in the Netherlands (01:53).

The summit includes a dinner at the Dutch King’s palace and subsequent sessions focusing on defense budgets. Tensions within the alliance regarding defense expenditures are a central theme, with member nations debating their financial contributions to collective security.

3. New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary

Timestamp: [01:41]

Kristen Wright transitions to local politics, highlighting the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. With 11 candidates in the fray, NPR’s Sarah Ventri reports clear frontrunners have emerged: Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist and current member of the state Assembly, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a centrist Democrat. Both candidates prioritize issues like affordability, public safety, and education but propose divergent visions for the city. Ventri notes, “Because this election uses ranked-choice voting, the outcome may not be immediately known” (01:53). The primary’s outcome remains uncertain as ranked-choice voting can lead to extended vote counting and potential shifts in support among remaining candidates.

4. Stock Market and Oil Price Movements Amid Middle East Tensions

Timestamp: [02:17]

The financial markets show a positive trend as stocks rise for a second consecutive day, while oil prices continue their downward trajectory. Kristen Wright cites Rafael Nam, who attributes the stock gains to investor optimism despite ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. Nam explains, “Investors are hopeful the situation will improve and that cooler heads will prevail” (02:35). This optimism has bolstered Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 507 points.

Conversely, oil prices have fallen sharply following President Trump's announcement that China might purchase oil from Iran. This development alleviates fears about global oil supplies, contributing to the decline in oil prices. Nam adds, “While investors remain hopeful, they are mindful that things could change pretty quickly” (02:35), indicating that the situation remains fluid and subject to rapid changes based on geopolitical developments.

5. Extreme Heat Warnings and Safety Measures

Timestamp: [03:13]

Extreme heat warnings are affecting nearly 160 million Americans, according to the National Weather Service. NPR’s Adam Birner interviews Dr. Jess Weiss, a pediatrician at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., who emphasizes the importance of common sense in keeping children safe during the heatwave. Dr. Weiss advises, “Drinking lots of water and taking plenty of breaks are key” (03:44).

Deepa Shivaram adds concerns about temperatures exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit, urging caution. Dr. Weiss recommends adjusting outdoor schedules for children, such as limiting playtime during peak heat hours. At Curiosity Preschool in Silver Spring, Maryland, routines have been modified to keep outdoor activities confined to the cooler morning hours. Five-year-old Neela Zudik expresses her preference for outdoor play, stating, “I like to go on slides outside and I also like to go to the parks” (04:07). However, she must wait a bit longer due to the ongoing heatwave expected to last into the next week.

6. Diddy Combs' Legal Proceedings

Timestamp: [04:19]

In legal news, Sean "Diddy" Combs faces trial in New York on charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all allegations. Kristen Wright reports that defense lawyers are not expected to call witnesses, and Combs himself will not take the stand. His defense centers on the claim that he maintained an unconventional but consensual personal life that did not intersect with his business operations. Closing arguments for the case are anticipated to begin later this week.

7. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's Capitol Hill Visit

Timestamp: [04:19]

Looking ahead, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is scheduled to return to Capitol Hill to provide lawmakers with further insights into current interest rates and the broader economy. This meeting is expected to address ongoing economic concerns and the Fed's strategies moving forward.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, including military actions, political debates, economic trends, public safety concerns, and high-profile legal cases. Through detailed reporting and expert insights, listeners receive a nuanced understanding of the current landscape, even if they haven't tuned into the live broadcast.

Note: All timestamps refer to the podcast episode's timeline.