NPR News: 06-25-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 25, 2025 Episode

Released: June 25, 2025

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1. NATO Summit Concludes with Enhanced Defense Commitments

The NATO summit, which concluded on June 25, 2025, marked a significant shift in the alliance's defense spending strategy. NATO allies have agreed to increase their defense expenditures to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), a substantial rise from the previous 2% over the next decade. This decision comes in response to growing global tensions and the need to strengthen collective security measures.

In his closing press conference, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the pivotal role of U.S. leadership in revitalizing the alliance. At 00:50, Rutte remarked:

"He was totally right that Europe and Canada were not providing to NATO what we should provide and that the US was spending so much more on defense than the Europeans and the Canadians."

Rutte credited President Trump for motivating NATO members to reassess and bolster their defense commitments, especially in light of Russia's "unprovoked attack on Ukraine." Eleanor Beardsley of NPR News highlighted the positive atmosphere among alliance members following the summit, suggesting a strengthened and more united NATO moving forward.

2. Senate Judiciary Committee Scrutinizes Emil Bovey’s Federal Judge Nomination

The nomination of Emil Bovey for a federal appeals court judge position in New Jersey has become a contentious issue within the Senate Judiciary Committee. Kerry Johnson reports that Democrats are questioning Bovey's loyalty to former President Trump and his decisions during his tenure at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Bovey, a former lawyer for Trump, oversaw daily operations at the DOJ. Critics are particularly concerned about his involvement in the handling of a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Bovey defended his actions by stating his priority was to prevent the mayor from being incapacitated by criminal charges:

"I worried the mayor could not govern while fighting criminal charges," - Emil Bovey (01:30)

However, Bovey declined to comment on whether he had discussions with Stephen Miller or other White House officials regarding the case's dismissal. Although a judge ultimately dismissed the charges, skepticism remains about the potential bargaining behind the decision. Carrie Johnson from NPR News indicated that if Senate Republicans maintain their cohesion, Bovey stands a good chance of securing confirmation by a simple majority.

3. Zoran Mamdani Emerges as a Strong Contender for NYC Mayor

Democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani is emerging as a prominent candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination for Mayor of New York City. Stephen Fowler details how Mamdani's candidacy could influence the national Democratic strategy, especially amidst declining popularity at the national level.

Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling attributes Mamdani's potential success to his ability to engage younger voters, particularly those under 45:

"What we really just found the key was, was he was engaging young people in a level that's extremely unusual for something like a primary election for mayor." - Tom Jensen (02:23)

Mamdani's appeal among younger demographics has injected optimism into the Democratic Party, which is seeking positive momentum following setbacks in the White House, Senate, and efforts to reclaim the House of Representatives.

4. FICO Scores to Incorporate Buy Now, Pay Later Loans

In consumer finance news, FICO has announced plans to integrate buy now, pay later (BNPL) installment loans into their credit scoring models. Traditionally, FICO scores have been a critical metric for determining creditworthiness and interest rates for mortgages and car loans. However, BNPL loans currently do not impact these scores.

The incorporation of BNPL data is expected to reflect consumers' ongoing credit behaviors more accurately. Jack Spear explains that in 2023, Americans spent over $116.2 billion on goods using installment loans. FICO suggests that responsible use of BNPL could potentially enhance consumers' credit scores. This change aims to provide a more comprehensive view of an individual's financial health, potentially benefiting those who effectively manage installment payments.

5. National Science Foundation to Relocate Headquarters Amid Budget Cuts

A significant organizational shift is underway for the National Science Foundation (NSF) as it prepares to vacate its current headquarters in Virginia. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will take over the building, a move that has stirred considerable concern among NSF employees.

According to Nell Greenfield Boyce of NPR News, the transition follows the resignation of the NSF head earlier in the year and previous budgetary pressures imposed by the Trump administration, which advocated for slashing NSF's budget by over half. Approximately 1,800 NSF workers face uncertainty as HUD's Michael Peters, Public Building Service commissioner of the U.S. General Services Administration, defended the move:

"The HUD’s current home is dilapidated and requires too much money to maintain. This move will improve life for HUD staffers." - Michael Peters (03:59)

While Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling stated support for the NSF as a key agency, the specifics regarding the timing and new location for the NSF headquarters remain unresolved. The relocation represents the latest challenge for the agency amidst ongoing administrative and political changes.

6. Tesla’s European Sales Decline Amidst Elon Musk’s Political Associations

Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla is experiencing a significant downturn in European sales, which have plunged for the fifth consecutive month as of May 2025. Jack Spear reports that Tesla's sales dropped by 28% compared to the same period the previous year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

This decline is partly attributed to public backlash against Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, due to his involvement with the Trump administration and support for far-right politicians. Musk's political affiliations have alienated a substantial segment of European consumers, leading to decreased trust and reduced sales figures.

Despite some investors' hopes that the initial ire would subside, the sustained negativity has adversely impacted Tesla's market performance. Additionally, Wall Street showed mixed reactions on the day of the report, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 106 points to 42,982, while the Nasdaq Composite experienced a modest increase of 61 points.

7. Market Movements

On the broader financial front, U.S. stock markets displayed mixed results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw a decrease of 106 points, settling at 42,982, reflecting investor concerns possibly tied to international relations and major corporate performances. Conversely, the Nasdaq Composite edged up by 61 points, indicating resilience in the technology sector despite the prevailing uncertainties.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments reported in the June 25, 2025 episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode or visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The NATO summit wrapped up today with higher defense spending commitments and alliance members in high spirits. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. The head of NATO called President Trump.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

NATO allies have agreed to boost defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product, up from 2% over the next 10 years. In his closing press conference, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said along with Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine, President Trump played a role in waking NATO members up.

[Mark Rutte]

He was totally right that Europe and Canada were not providing to NATO what we should provide and that the US Was spending so much more on defence than the Europeans and the Canadians, ruta said.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Now NATO is correcting that. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, the Hague.

[Jack Spear]

A top Justice Department official in line for a job as a federal judge says he is not a henchman or enforcer for the president. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports on testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

[Kerry Johnson]

Emil Belvy is a former lawyer for President Trump who's been running daily operations at the Justice Department. Now he's been nominated for a job as a federal appeals court judge in New Jersey. Democrats on the Judiciary Committee are raising questions about his loyalty to Trump and his decisions at doj, including a move to walk away from a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Bovey said he worried the mayor could not govern while fighting criminal charges, but the nominee refused to answer whether he talked with Stephen Miller or others in the White House before dropping that case. A judge ultimately dismissed the charges, but said abandoning the case smacked of a bargain. If Senate Republicans stick together, Bovey could win confirmation by a simple majority. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani is poised to become the Democratic Party's nominee for mayor of New York City. NPR's Stephen Fowler has more on what it might mean for the national party.

[Stephen Fowler]

At a time when the Democratic brand is facing deep unpopularity with voters. Mamdani's success is notable. Tom Jensen of Democratic aligned firm Public Policy Polling said a big part of that came from increased turnout and support from voters under 45.

[Tom Jensen]

What we really just found the key was, was he was engaging young people in a level that's extremely unusual for something like a primary election for mayor.

[Stephen Fowler]

After losing the White House the Senate and failing to retake the House. The Democrats are searching for good signs anywhere they can. Stephen Fowler, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

FICO scores are those numbers anyone shopping for a mortgage or car loan quickly learns about. It's a number calculated by your past credit history that can determine not only whether you're credit worthy, but also what interest rate you're char the buy now, pay later loans have become increasingly popular. Currently, installment loans do not show up in a score. Now FICO says it plans to begin incorporating them. Americans in 2023 purchased more than $116.2 billion in goods that way. In some cases, the company says consumers who have such loans could actually see higher scores. You're listening to npr. The National Science foundation will have to move out of its headquarters in Virginia. That's because the Department of Housing and Urban Development will be moving in. As NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce explains, it's just the latest big change for staffers at the science agency.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The head of the NSF resigned earlier this year, shortly before the Trump administration called for axing more than half the agency's budget. Now NSF's approximately 1,800 workers have learned that HUD will be taking over their building. Michael Peters is the Public Building Service commissioner of the U.S. general Services Administration. At a press briefing, he said that HUD's current home is dilapidated and require requires too much money to maintain that this move will improve life for HUD staffers.

[Mark Rutte]

We are going to continue to support.

[Tom Jensen]

The National Science foundation as we support every agency, he said.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The timing of the transition and where NSF will go is still being worked out. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Electric vehicle maker Tesla continues to take heat for the involvement of the company's controversial boss, Elon Musk, in the Trump administration. Despite hope by some investors, anger over Musk's involvement in Doge would have faded by now. European sales plunged for a fifth straight month in May, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Tesla sales last month dropped 28% compared to the same period a year ago. Musk angered many Europeans by embracing not just Donald Trump, but many far right wing politicians in elections. There a mixed close on Wall street today. The Dow fell 106 points to 42,982. The Nasdaq was up 61 points. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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