NPR News: 07-15-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 15, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh, this episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in international relations, U.S. domestic policies, legal battles, and noteworthy human interest stories.

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1. U.S.-Russia Tensions Escalate Amid Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine

Timestamp: [00:18]

NPR host Lakshmi Singh reports that Russia remains undeterred by the United States' threats of economic sanctions and military support to Ukraine. The Russian military continues its aggressive actions in Ukraine, with President Donald Trump expressing frustration over Russia's unwillingness to negotiate a ceasefire.

President Donald Trump voiced his disappointment in comments at [00:38], stating:

“I'm not done with him, but I'm disappointed in him. So we had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kiev. I said, what the hell was that all about?”

Additionally, in an exclusive phone interview with the BBC, President Trump criticized NATO, remarking that the military alliance is "no longer obsolete now that they are 'paying their own bills,'" highlighting his administration's stance on defense spending by allied nations.

2. Supreme Court Upholds Trump Administration's Move to Dismantle the Department of Education

Timestamp: [00:51 - 01:19]

Lakshmi Singh transitions to a pivotal Supreme Court decision concerning the Trump administration's efforts to restructure the U.S. Department of Education. Cory Turner of NPR elaborates on the ruling:

“The court reversed a lower court order that had blocked the administration from firing some 1,400 department workers. Those layoffs were part of President Trump's stated goal of closing the Education Department.” [01:19]

The conservative majority on the Supreme Court delivered the decision without detailed explanations. In stark contrast, Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered a "blistering dissent," labeling the ruling as "indefensible." Meanwhile, President Trump hailed the decision as a significant victory for "parents and students," emphasizing his administration's intent to shift control of educational functions back to the states.

3. Legal Challenges to Education Funding Reallocation and Tribute to Legendary Marathon Runner Vajra Singh

Timestamp: [01:19 - 02:01]

Following the Supreme Court's decision, Singh highlights ongoing legal battles where approximately two dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. These states seek the release of billions in frozen education funds, arguing against the dismantling efforts.

In a heartwarming segment, Singh pays tribute to Vajra Singh, revered as the world's oldest marathon runner, who recently passed away at the age of 114 due to injuries from a hit-and-run incident. Singh's remarkable life story includes:

• Running Milestones: At 89, Singh completed his first marathon in London, becoming the first centenarian to finish a marathon.
• Olympic Participation: A year later, he became the oldest torchbearer during the 2012 London Olympics.
• Advocacy and Longevity: Featured in documentaries, Singh attributed his long life to simple habits like "Don't eat too much and sleep better." He used his platform to promote various charities, inspiring countless individuals worldwide.

4. Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Blocks Trump's Attempt to Remove Protections for Afghans in the U.S.

Timestamp: [02:01 - 03:36]

In immigration news, Lakshmi Singh reports on the legal tug-of-war surrounding President Trump's efforts to revoke protections for nearly 12,000 Afghans residing in the United States. Ryland Barton provides detailed coverage:

“A lower court didn't grant a request to keep protections in place while the lawsuit plays out, but last night, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals did. For a week, the court didn't explain its decision, but said protections will remain in place until next Monday.” [03:36]

The Trump administration contends that the circumstances in Afghanistan have improved, negating the need for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Conversely, many Afghans who assisted the U.S. during the war fear persecution if forced to return. The case underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policies and humanitarian protections.

5. Impact of Trump’s Tariffs Begins to Manifest in Rising Inflation Rates

Timestamp: [03:36 - 04:17]

Lakshmi Singh shifts focus to economic developments, noting that President Trump's implementation of tariffs is starting to influence inflation rates, a move economists had previously predicted. Consumer prices saw a year-over-year increase of 2.7% in June, up from 2.4% in May, with a monthly rise of 0.3% compared to 0.1% in May.

Despite facing international pushback, President Trump maintains his tariff strategy, threatening to impose additional tariffs on August 1st against major trading partners like the European Union. Notably, a 10% tariff remains in place on nearly all U.S. imports, signaling the administration's continued commitment to reshaping trade relationships.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates critical global and domestic issues, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and diverse perspectives on the evolving political and economic landscape.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Russia does not appear to be rattled by US Threats of economic penalties and weapons assistance to Ukraine. The Russian military is continuing its assault. Meanwhile, President Trump's vex, the Russian leader Vladimir Putin, is not committing to a ceasefire deal with Ukraine.

[Donald Trump]

I'm not done with him, but I'm disappointed in him. So we had a deal done four times and then you go home and you see he just attacked a nursing home or something in Kiev. I said, what the hell was that all about?

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump, in an exclusive phone interview with the BBC, Trump also talked about NATO. He says a military alliance is no longer obsolete now that they are quote, unquote, paying their own bills. Trump's expected to make a second state visit to the UK This September. The Supreme Court has ruled the administration may continue its efforts to dismantle the US Department of Education. President Trump on social media says the ruling will facilitate returning the functions to states. Here's NPR's Cory Turner.

[Cory Turner]

The court reversed a lower court order that had blocked the administration from firing some 1400 department workers. Those layoffs were part of President Trump's stated goal of closing the Education Department. The ruling from the court's conservative majority came with no explanation. In a blistering dissent, liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor called it indefensible, while President Trump hailed it as a major victory for parents and students. Plaintiffs had initially gotten an injunction from a federal judge by arguing a president cannot close a department created by Congress. Yesterday's ruling allows the dismantling of the department to resume before the lower courts have decided if it is legal. Cory Turner, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Some two dozen states and the District of Columbia have sued the Trump administration. They want the White House to release billions in frozen education funding. Tributes abound today for the legendary runner Vajra Singh, believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner. He died yesterday. He was 114 years old. Indian authorities say Singh passed away from injuries sustained in a hit and run incident. Singh was featured in multiple videos and documentaries as an example that one's never too old to start over. He'd lost loved ones, struggled with depression, left Indy to live with family in the UK Then took up running. And did he ever, at the age of 89. He ran his first marathon in London at 100 in Toronto, he became the first centenarian to complete a marathon. A year later, Singh became the oldest torchbearer of the 2012 London Olympics. He used his platform to promote charities. One of his secrets to longevity Singh advising in this documentary by the UK's Redbridge Museum. Don't eat too much and sleep better. It's NPR News. A federal appeals court is temporarily blocking President Trump's attempt to remove protections for nearly 12,000 Afghans who are in the U.S. nPR's Ryland Barton reports. The order was issued as the protections were set to expire last week.

[Ryland Barton]

A lower court didn't grant a request to keep protections in place while the lawsuit plays out, but last night, the fourth Circuit Court of Appeals did. For a week, the court didn't explain its decision, but said protections will remain in place until next Monday. While the Department of Homeland Security and nonprofit immigrant advocacy group CASA argue the case, Temporary protected status allows people fleeing persecuted persecution, natural disasters and war to legally stay and work in the U.S. the Trump administration argues Afghans no longer need protection and that conditions have improved in Afghanistan. But some Afghans who helped the US during the war in their home country say they'll face persecution if they go back. Ryland Barton, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump's tariffs are finally starting to have an impact on inflation, as economists had cautioned. Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, a bigger annual increase than the 2.4 rise, 2.4% increase seen in May, measured on a month to month basis. Consumer prices rose 0.3% faster as well than the tenth of a percent monthly increase seen in May. Although Trump has pushed back many tariffs while threatening to reimpose them on August 1st against trading partners such as the EU, he has kept in place others, such as a 10% tariff on nearly everything the US imports. It's NPR News.

[Carvana]

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