NPR News: 06-26-2025 11PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on June 27, 2025

Hosted by NPR, this episode of "NPR News Now" provides a comprehensive update on the latest national and international news, delivered succinctly to keep listeners informed. The following summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

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1. White House to Restrict Intelligence Sharing Following Iran Attack Leak

[00:20] Dale Willman, NPR News, opens the episode with a significant development from Washington, D.C. The White House is reportedly planning to limit the sharing of intelligence with Congress. This decision comes in the aftermath of leaked intelligence concerning a U.S. attack on Iran, which inadvertently surfaced to the press.

[00:37] Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR Reporter, elaborates that the leaked intelligence contradicts President Trump's statements about the success of the attack. "The leaked intelligence suggested that the US Bombings only set back Iran's nuclear program by months," she reports, contrasting sharply with Trump's claim of causing "total obliteration of Iran's nuclear sites."

[00:54] White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt addressed the leak, stating, "It could have been someone in the intelligence community or it could have been someone on Capitol Hill who had access to this document. We are FBI is so searching for that person."

[01:02] Levine further reveals that President Trump has attributed the leak to Democrats. An anonymous White House official confirmed the administration's intention to curtail intelligence sharing with Congress, a move first reported by Axios.

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2. CDC Advisory Committee Votes to Restrict Certain Flu Vaccines

[01:18] Transitioning to public health, Dale Willman introduces the story of the CDC advisory committee's recent decision to limit the availability of specific flu vaccines.

[01:27] Peng Huang, NPR Correspondent, reports that the committee, composed of new members appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has endorsed annual flu vaccinations. However, they have specified a preference for single-dose flu vaccines that exclude the mercury-based preservative thimerosal.

[01:49] One dissenting voice, Dr. Cody Meissner from Dartmouth, counters the decision: "There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal has caused a problem."

[01:56] Huang provides context, explaining that thimerosal has been utilized to prevent microbial growth in multi-dose vaccine vials. "Theories that it causes autism have been examined and found to be groundless," she concludes.

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3. U.S. Funds Controversial Gaza Aid Program Amid Security Concerns

[02:07] Dale Willman shifts focus to international affairs, highlighting the Trump administration's decision to allocate funding to a contentious aid program in Gaza.

[02:21] Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesperson, announces the approval of $30 million for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. He describes it as "a creative solution to the hunger crisis in Gaza."

[02:33] Michelle Kellerman, NPR Reporter, emphasizes the administration's goal: "We want to see aid raising reach the people of Gaza." She notes that the foundation has already delivered 46 million meals, aiming to continue this effort.

[02:43] Pigott addresses safety concerns, mentioning the United Nations' description of new distribution sites as "death traps," with Palestinians facing threats while accessing aid. He adds, "The U.S. wants other countries to fund this new operation," in response to Israel's pause on most other aid into Gaza.

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4. Market Surge and Farewell to Composer Lalo Schifrin

[03:06] The episode briefly covers a positive financial update, noting that Wall Street had an "up day" with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing up 404 points, the NASDAQ up 194, and the S&P 500 up 48 points.

[03:34] Cultural news takes a poignant turn with the passing of Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin at the age of 93. Bob Mondello, NPR, pays tribute to Schifrin's illustrious career, highlighting his iconic work on the "Mission: Impossible" theme and scores for films like "Dirty Harry" and "Enter the Dragon." Mondello remarks, "Few thriller themes have been more instantly recognizable," underscoring Schifrin's lasting impact on music and film.

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5. Tragic Bus Accident in Southern England and Barry Bonds' Upcoming Statue

[04:15] Dale Willman reports a tragic event in southern England where a double-decker bus carrying high school students plunged into a river. The accident resulted in serious injuries to the driver and at least one student, with more than a dozen students harmed.

[04:34] In sports news, Willman informs listeners that a statue commemorating baseball legend Barry Bonds is set to be erected outside the San Francisco Giants' home stadium. Giants President Larry Baer affirmed Bonds' deserving legacy but withheld details on the statue's unveiling timeline. Bonds, who spent the last 15 years of his career with the Giants, retired amid steroid use allegations.

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This episode of "NPR News Now" delivered a spectrum of news, from high-stakes political maneuvers and public health decisions to international aid efforts, financial markets, cultural losses, and local tragedies. Each segment provided listeners with timely and relevant information, maintaining NPR's commitment to delivering swift and accurate news updates.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, D.C. i'm Dale Willman. The White House is planning to limit intelligence sharing with Congress after intelligence about the US Attack on Iran leaked to members of the press. As npr' Danielle Kurtzleben reports, the leaked information conflicted with what the president has said about the attack's success.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

The leaked intelligence suggested that the US Bombings only set back Iran's nuclear program by months. However, Trump has said the attacks caused total obliteration of Iran's nuclear sites. White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt said today that the leaker has an agenda against the president.

[Caroline Levitt]

It could have been someone in the intelligence community or it could have been someone on Capitol Hill who had access to this document. We are the FBI is so searching for that person.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

President Trump has blamed Democrats. A White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly confirmed that they planned to limit the intelligence they share with Congress. The plan was first reported by Axios. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Dale Willman]

The new members of a CDC advisory committee have voted to limit the availability of certain flu vaccines. NPR's Peng Huang has more on our story.

[Peng Huang]

The vaccine advisory committee met with all new members handpicked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. They agreed that people should get flu vaccines annually, but voted to specify that they get single dose flu vaccines that don't contain a mercury containing preservative called thimerosal. The vote passed with five members voting for it, one abstaining, and Dr. Cody Meissner from Dartmouth was the only one who voted no.

[Dr. Cody Meissner]

There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal has caused a problem.

[Peng Huang]

Thimerosal has long been used to prevent germs from growing in multi dose vials. Theories that it causes autism have been examined and found to be groundless. Ping Huang, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Dale Willman]

The Trump administration says it will start funding a controversial aid program in Gaza. And the US Is calling others to join in too, arguing that the new system prevents Hamas from benefiting from international aid. NPR's Michelle Kellerman has this report.

[Tommy Pigott]

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott says the administration has approved $30 million in funding for the Gaza Humanitarian foundation, which he says is a creative solution to the hunger crisis in Gaza.

[Michelle Keleman]

We want to see aid raising reach the people of Gaza. The Gaza Humanitarian foundation has delivered 46 million meals. We've seen that. We want to see that food being delivered.

[Tommy Pigott]

The UN has described the new distribution sites as death traps, as Palestinians come under fire while trying to approach them. Israel has paused almost all other aid into Gaza. Asked if the US Is pushing Israel to reopen aid routes, Pigott said the U.S. wants other countries to fund this new operation. Michelle Keleman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Dale Willman]

It was an up day on Wall street today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 404 points, the NASDAQ up 194 and the S&P 500 up 48 points. You're listening to NPR News. Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin, who wrote the theme for Impossible and more than 100 other films and television shows, has died. He was 93 years old. NPR's Bob Mondello has this remembrance.

[Bob Mondello]

Few thriller themes have been more instantly recogniz. Shiffrin, who headed a Buenos Aires big band in his youth, gave the Impossible theme a Latin beat and a propulsive rhythm. For a While in the 60s and 70s, if a story moved fast, directors wanted Shifrin's music. He scored TV's Mannix and Starsky and Hutch, the films Bullet, Dirty Harry, Enter the Dragon, Rush Hour and, in a less frenzied vein, cool Hand Luke. Shifrin was classically trained and a respected jazz pianist. Dizzy Gillespie brought him to the US as his arranger, and he was soon much sought after in Hollywood. Among as many awards are five Grammys and an honorary Oscar. Bob Mondello, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

A double decker bus carrying high school students on a trip plunged into a river in southern England on Thursday. The bus driver and four students were all taken to a hospital, and officials say the driver and at least one student had serious injuries. More than a dozen of the students were injured in the crash. Barry Bonds will be getting a statue outside the home stadium of the San Francisco Giants. Giants President Larry Baer said Thursday that Bonds is deserving of a statue, but he gave no details on just when it might happen. Bonds played for San Francisco for the last 15 years of his career. He retired after allegations of steroid use. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News, in Washington.

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