NPR News: 06-25-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – June 25, 2025

US-Iran-Israel Ceasefire and NATO Summit

President Donald Trump is currently attending the NATO summit in the Netherlands, where he addressed the delicate ceasefire between Iran and Israel. In a statement at [00:14], Trump asserted, “The US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities brought their war to an end,” while also expressing uncertainty about the extent of the damage inflicted, stating, “We really don't know” at [00:14].

Contrary to Trump’s optimistic assessment, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conveyed that U.S. officials believe the strikes caused severe damage, potentially "obliterating" key sites. However, NPR’s Kat Lahnsdorff reported at [00:56] that early intelligence assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency indicated the impact was "limited" on one crucial facility. She added, “Iran's nuclear enterprise is far from destroyed,” highlighting that the damage might only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months. Independent experts analyzed commercial satellite imagery and supported the view that the program remains operational.

Trump’s NATO Relations and Defense Spending

As the summit progresses, President Trump is scheduled to speak again, with NPR’s Deepa Shivaram reporting at [01:40] that the primary focus this year is on increasing defense spending among NATO members due to ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Trump has been a vocal critic of NATO, questioning whether member countries are contributing their fair share. Shivaram noted, “Trump’s wavering stance on committing to defending allies and his recent tariff war have sparked concern in Europe,” emphasizing the tension within the transatlantic alliance.

When asked about NATO’s Article 5—the principle of mutual defense—Trump responded at [02:15], “Only we’re with them all the way,” indicating a conditional commitment to the alliance’s obligations. This stance has left NATO allies apprehensive about the United States' dedication to collective security, especially as global focus shifts towards the Middle East.

New York City Mayoral Election

In local politics, State Assemblyman Zahran Mamdani has emerged as the leader in New York City’s Democratic primary for mayor, securing approximately 44% of the vote without surpassing the 50% majority required under the city’s new ranked-choice voting system. At [02:51], Mamdani confidently stated, “Together we have shown the power of the politics of the future, of partnership and of sincerity,” positioning himself as the Democratic nominee despite not achieving an outright majority. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo has conceded, acknowledging Mamdani’s substantial lead over his rivals.

Global Vaccination Efforts Save Millions

A landmark study published in The Lancet reveals that the World Health Organization’s half-century-long vaccination program has saved over 150 million lives by combating diseases like polio. NPR’s Gabriela Emanuel reported at [03:29], highlighting significant increases in childhood vaccination rates over the past five decades. However, Professor Jonathan Moser from Washington University cautioned at [03:37], “Progress has really stalled since about 2010,” citing challenges such as conflict, disrupted supply chains, and rampant vaccine misinformation.

Moser added at [04:01], “There are challenges related to conflict. There are challenges related to supply chains and challenges associated with vaccine misinformation as well.” Additionally, reductions in U.S. funding for global vaccination initiatives have contributed to the slowdown in progress, putting future immunization efforts at risk.

Extreme Heat Wave Hits Central and East Coasts

The National Weather Service has issued warnings about a severe heat wave currently affecting much of the Central and East Coasts, impacting approximately 150 million people. Temperatures are soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in several areas, with cities like Philadelphia struggling to cool down below 80 degrees overnight. This persistent heat poses significant risks to public health and infrastructure, as highlighted at [04:15].

NBA Draft Kicks Off in Brooklyn

Sports fans are gearing up for tonight’s NBA draft, which marks its first round in Brooklyn. The Dallas Mavericks hold the first overall pick, expected to select Cooper Flagg, a standout player from Duke University. Following them, the San Antonio Spurs are poised to make their selection, adding excitement to the event. This draft could significantly shape the upcoming NBA season, with Top prospects eagerly anticipating their entry into the league.

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This summary highlights the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on June 25, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump is at the NATO summit in the Netherlands. He talked with reporters today about the ceasefire holding between Iran and Israel. Trump says the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities brought their war to an end. He also says he believes the assessment of the damage caused by the US strikes was inconclusive. He says they really don't know. Trump says the US expects to hear more soon from the Israeli government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says US officials believe the damage at the sites was more likely severe and the sites obliterated. But NPR's Kat Lahnsdorff reports an early intelligence assessment shows Iran's nuclear program being set back by only a few months.

[Kat Lahnsdorff]

A US official not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to NPR that early assessments by the Defense Intelligence Agency found that the massive US air campaign last Saturday did not have the outcome Trump described, calling its damage to one key facility quote, limited. News of the assessment was first published by cnn. More damage assessments from other intelligence agencies are expected. Israel has said repeatedly that its goal in the war had been to stop Iran's nuclear program along goal shared by the us. Independent experts NPR talked to who analyzed commercial satellite imagery after the US strikes also said Iran's nuclear enterprise is far from destroyed. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump will speak again today at the NATO summit. NPR's Deepa Shivaram has more.

[Deepa Shivaram]

The gathering is mainly focused on one issue this year, increasing defense spending by each alliance member given Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine. But but NATO allies are also waiting to hear what Trump will say about the transatlantic alliance. He's been critical of NATO for years, saying countries aren't paying their fair share and that the US is paying too much. Trump's wavering stance on committing to defending allies and his recent tariff war have sparked concern in Europe. The summit also comes as the US's focus has been on the Middle east in recent days, something Trump may speak about as well. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the Hague.

[Korva Coleman]

Earlier today, Trump was asked about the NATO principle of defending all allies as Article 5 in the North Atlantic Treaty. Trump said only we're with them all the way. The leader in the vote count for New York City's Democratic primary election for mayor is State Assemblyman Zahran Mamdani. He swept about 44% of the vote, but he did not earn more than 50% of the vote. New York City used ranked choice method for voting for the first time, and an outright winner needs a majority. Still, Mamdani says he will be New York's Democratic nominee for mayor this year.

[Zahran Mamdani]

Together we have shown the power of the politics of the future, 1:1 of partnership and of sincerity.

[Korva Coleman]

Mamdani came in well ahead of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The former governor has already conceded defeat. You're listening to NPR News. More than half a century ago, the World Health Organization launched a program to get more children immunized for diseases such as polio. A a new study finds that effort has saved over 150 million lives. NPR's Gabriela Emanuel has this update.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

The study published in the Lancet, found that childhood vaccination rates have increased dramatically in the last 50 years, but progress.

[Jonathan Moser]

Has really stalled since about 2010.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

That's Jonathan Moser. He's one of the study authors and a professor at Washington University. He says some countries have even seen a drop in their vaccination rates. For example, 100 of the 200 plus countries researchers looked at saw a decline in measles vaccination rates. Others saw drops in diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

[Jonathan Moser]

There are challenges related to conflict. There are challenges related to supply chains and challenges associated with vaccine misinformation as well.

[Gabriela Emanuel]

The US has also cut funding for some global vaccination efforts. Gabriela Emanuel, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The National Weather Service says that a dangerous heat wave is still blanketing much of the Central and east coasts. About 150 million people are affected. Some heat values will be well above 100 degrees. Part of the problem is that some areas cannot cool down below 80 degrees overnight. That includes east coast cities such as Philadelphia. Tonight is the first round of the NBA draft in Brooklyn. The Dallas Mavericks will be able to pick first, followed by the San Antonio Spurs. The star player from Duke, Cooper Flagg, is expected to be the first choice. You're listening to npr.

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