NPR News: 07-20-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: July 20, 2025, 2 PM EDT

Host: Nora Rahm
Source: NPR
Episode Release Date: July 20, 2025

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1. President Trump's Initiative to Aid Afghan Allies

Timestamp: [00:19]

In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump announced his intention to assist Afghans who collaborated with the United States and have been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an extended period. This announcement marks a change in stance following his administration's previous decision to sever pathways for Afghan allies seeking refuge after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Details from Hansi Luang, NPR:

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, declaring his commitment without providing specific methodologies or reasons behind this newfound support. He stated, "I will try to save them starting right now" ([00:41]). This declaration comes six months after suspending the refugee resettlement program crucial for many Afghan allies attempting to flee the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Additionally, the Trump administration recently terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem justified the termination by citing "Afghanistan's improved security situation and stabilizing economy" ([00:41]).

As of the reporting time, spokespeople from the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and the White House have not provided further insights into whether these programs will be reinstated.

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2. The Kremlin's Position on the Ukraine Ceasefire Efforts

Timestamp: [01:26]

Amid ongoing international efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, the Kremlin has reiterated its commitment to achieving its objectives in the conflict. President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, conveyed Moscow's stance, emphasizing both a desire for peace and an unwavering commitment to their demands.

Quote from Dmitry Peskov:

"Russia is prepared to move swiftly. For us, the main thing is to achieve our objectives. They are clear, clear, obvious and unchanging. But the process doesn't depend solely on us." ([01:50])

Despite expressing openness to peace, Russia has faced accusations from Ukraine and its allies of obstructing President Trump's initiative for a ceasefire. Four months prior, Kyiv had agreed to an unconditional truce; however, Russia has yet to reciprocate, prolonging the conflict.

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3. Legal Battle Over Funding Between Harvard University and the Federal Government

Timestamp: [02:02]

A pivotal legal confrontation is unfolding in Boston, where lawyers representing Harvard University are set to court the federal government over the abrupt cancellation of more than $2 billion in federal funding. The dispute centers on allegations that Harvard fostered an environment permitting anti-Semitism on its campus—a claim the university vehemently denies.

Insights from Emily Piper Villillo, NPR:

Harvard contends that the administration's withdrawal of funds is an unlawful act of retaliation following the university's refusal to comply with the White House's demands regarding its academic governance, including curriculum and hiring practices. Noah Feldman, a Harvard Law professor, highlighted the broader implications, stating, "If a university with a multi-billion dollar endowment can be cowed and pushed around by the government so that it loses its free speech rights, it's a lot easier to stop you personally from exercising your free speech rights." ([02:56])

The legal hearing, anticipated to span a single day, will determine the fate of over 900 Harvard studies currently dependent on federal support.

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4. Texas Legislature's Special Session on Disaster Response and Redistricting

Timestamp: [03:14]

The Texas Legislature is convening a special 30-day session starting tomorrow, primarily to address the state's response to recent catastrophic flooding that resulted in at least 135 fatalities this month. In addition to disaster management, Republican lawmakers intend to redraft the state's congressional map, aligning with President Trump's directives aimed at securing the GOP's hold over the U.S. House in the upcoming midterm elections.

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5. WNBA All-Star Weekend Highlights Growth and Advocacy for Higher Salaries

Timestamp: [03:14] - [04:33]

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is experiencing a period of significant growth, both in attendance and viewership, as showcased during the recent All-Star Weekend. With a sellout crowd of 18,000 attendees at last night's game, the league is witnessing a more prominent spotlight on its expansion and the players' push for better compensation.

Report by Becky Sullivan, NPR:

The WNBA has seen over a 20% increase in both attendance and television viewership compared to the previous year. This surge has paved the way for a new, lucrative media rights deal and plans to introduce five new teams in the coming years. Concurrently, players are actively negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement to address salary concerns. Currently, the league's minimum salary stands at $66,000, a figure players deem insufficient given the league's growth and success.

Player Advocacy:

WNBA star Caitlin Clark voiced the athletes' stance, stating, "We should be paid more. And hopefully that's the case moving forward as the league continues to grow. I think that's something that's probably the most important thing that we're in the room advocating about." ([04:15])

In a unified display of solidarity, players donned plain black T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "pay us what you owe us" as they warmed up for the All-Star game ([04:24]).

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6. Women's European Soccer Championship Emphasizes Inclusivity

Timestamp: [04:33]

The Women's European Championship is currently underway in Switzerland, highlighting not only athletic excellence but also a strong message of inclusivity and respect. Team captains participating in the tournament have the option to wear armbands featuring the rainbow flag or displaying the word "respect." This initiative underscores the governing body's commitment to ensuring that soccer remains a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, regardless of their background or identity.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode released on July 20, 2025. For comprehensive coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

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[Nora Rahm]

In Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. President Trump says he's now going to try to help Afghans who worked with the United States and have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for years. As NPR's Hansi Luang reports, Trump's comments come after his administration cut off pathways for Afghan allies to seek refuge after the US Withdrew from Afghanistan.

[Hansi Luang]

On his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump provided no details about how or why he now wants to support Afghan interpreters and other allies to the US Who've been stuck in the United Arab Emirates for years, but said, quote, I will try to save them starting right now. So six months ago, on the first day of his second term, Trump suspended the refugee resettlement program that many Afghan allies were relying on to flee their now Taliban controlled home country. Last week, the Trump administration ended temporary protected status for Afghans. In a statement, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said the program was terminated because of Afghanistan's improved security situation and stabilizing economy. Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department and the White House did not immediately respond to questions about whether those programs will be restored. Hansi Loong, NPR News.

[Nora Rahm]

The Kremlin has again said Russia needs to achieve its goals in Ukraine as international efforts continue towards a ceasefire. President Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader wants to move things towards peace, but he called it a long process that wasn't easy and said the Kremlin would not give up its demands. He's heard here through a BBC interpreter.

[Dmitry Peskov]

Russia is prepared to move swiftly. For us, the main thing is to achieve our objectives. They are clear, clear, obvious and unchanging. But the process doesn't depend solely on us.

[Nora Rahm]

Ukraine and many of its allies have accused Moscow of blocking President Trump's push for a ceasefire. Kyiv agreed to an unconditional truce four months ago, but Russia has not reciprocated. Lawyers for Harvard University and the federal government will be in court tomorrow. The hearing is about the government's cancellation of more than $2 billion of Harvard's federal funding. Emily Piper Villillo of member station WBUR reports from Boston.

[Emily Piper Villillo]

Over 900 Harvard University studies now hang in the balance after the White House yanked funding earlier this year, saying Harvard permitted anti Semitism on campus. Harvard says the administration's actions unlawfully retaliate against the university for rejecting the White House's demands over what it can teach as well as who it can admit and hire. Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman says the stakes extend far beyond Harvard.

[Noah Feldman]

If a university with a multi billion dollar endowment can be cowed and pushed around by the government so that it loses its free speech rights, it's a lot easier to stop you personally from exercising your free speech rights.

[Emily Piper Villillo]

The hearing is expected to last one day. For NPR News, I'm Emily Piper Villillo in Boston.

[Nora Rahm]

This is NPR News. The Texas Legislature starts a special 30 day session tomorrow there to consider how the state copes with disaster after flooding this month killed at least 135 people. Republican lawmakers also plan to redraw the state's congressional map as urged by President Trump to help the GOP retain control of the U.S. house in next year's midterm elections. The WNBA's All Star Weekend has put a spotlight on the growth of the league. A sellout crowd of 18,000 at attended last night's game. NPR's Becky Sullivan reports.

[Becky Sullivan]

Across the league, attendance and TV viewership have continued to rise. Both are up more than 20% over last year. There's a new lucrative media rights deal coming soon, and the league will add five new teams over the next few years. Now players want to cash in, too. Negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement are heating up. The league's minimum salary right now is only $66,000. That's too low, players say, including the league's biggest stories.

[Caitlin Clark]

CAITLIN clark, we should be paid more. And hopefully that's the case moving forward as the league continues to grow. I think that's something that's probably the most important thing that we're in the room advocating about.

[Becky Sullivan]

As players warmed up for Saturday's All Star game, they wore plain black T shirts with the slogan pay us what you owe us. Becky Sullivan in PR News, Indianapolis.

[Nora Rahm]

In soccer, the women's European Championship is underway in Switzerland. Team captains are allowed to wear armbands with the rainbow flag to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community. They could also choose an armband with the word respect. The governing body has said it's committed to making the sport a safe and welcoming environment for everybody. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

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