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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Norah Ram. After two weeks of nightly US Strikes against Iran, it was quiet last night, but President Trump has said an escalation of strikes is a possibility. NPR's Emily Fang is covering the war from Israel. She reports people in the Middle east are expecting more violence.
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Trump said this week he'd gotten reports Iran moved uranium refining centrifuges deep under this massive mountain called Pickaxe Mountain. And he said the US Was likely to strike the mountain, quote, very heavily. I've seen an increasingly a sign of a split in Iran between hardliners and moderates there over whether diplomacy or war is the preferred approach to the US and for example, just this weekend, Iran's government accused its own state broadcaster of censoring Iran's president. So there's a lot of uncertainty. And the United Kingdom, Germany and France withdrew their diplomats from Tehran this week as a precaution. And here in Israel, where I am, governments locally are opening up public shelters once again in anticipation of possible bombing.
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From Iran, NPR's Emily Fang. Democrats in Maine today picked their choice to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins in one of the most closely watched races this fall. It's Troy Jackson, a logger and a former president of the state Senate. He says this is a new day for Maine Democrats.
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There is a place in this campaign for all of you. There is work for you in this movement. And I will spend every day now through November earning that trust because today we turn the page. Today this becomes a general election campaign. And today we begin the work of defeating Susan Collins in November.
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The hastily called convention was required after the previous front runner, Graham Platner, suspended his campaign earlier this month when a woman he once dated accused him of rape and which he has denied. President Trump returned to the rescheduled White House Correspondents association dinner last night after the annual event was brought to an abrupt end by a gunman in April. As NPR's Eva Pukach reports, the president used his speech at the event to make familiar jabs at the media.
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In his hour long speech, President Trump called out several reporters by name. He said CNN's Kaitlan Collins, quote, never smiles and said her reporting, which was awarded earlier in the night, was, quote, fake. He called incoming White House Correspondents Association President Jackie Heinrich, quote, nasty. He recounted how many bad headlines he's had in the New York Times and said he's personally responsible for keeping the press employed.
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When I'm not around, you're going to be broke. There's not going to be anybody to report on. Nobody gives a damn about anybody else.
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He ended his speech by putting on a Trump 2028 hat, saying it would help the press's ratings. Eva Pukach, NPR News.
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This is NPR News in Washington. A slate of popular peptide therapies has won the backing of a key advisory panel to the federal government. This is just the first step that could eventually open up broader access to the experimental drugs. NPR's Will Stone reports.
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The panel of advisors recommended the Food and Drug Administration reclassify all, almost all of the compounds under consideration so that specialized pharmacies in the US could begin offering them. The outcome represents a win for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Who has publicly supported peptide therapies and the broader wellness and longevity industry, which stands to profit substantially. The yes votes run counter to the FDA's own position. Scientists repeatedly cautioned there was limited data on safety and efficacy in humans. These peptides are not approved drugs. They are promoted widely online for uses like injury recovery, muscle growth and more. The final decision is up to the fda, which typically follows the panel's recommendations. Will Stone, NPR News.
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French authorities say more than 140,000 people have been forced from their homes by wildfires in the southwestern part of the country. Tens of thousands more are fleeing wildfires in Spain. Scientists say the region has become more vulnerable due to hotter temperatures caused by climate change. The wildfires are prompting the Tour de France to cut short tomorrow's final stage, where cyclists ride through the streets of Paris. Officials say there aren't enough people to maintain security because they're off fighting the fires. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.
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Host: Norah Ram
Date: July 25, 2026
This five-minute episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise, up-to-date roundup of major national and international news. Today’s broadcast highlights: the latest developments in US-Iran tensions, a significant Senate race in Maine, President Trump’s return to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, federal moves on experimental peptide drugs, and wildfire emergencies in France and Spain.
Coverage from Israel: Emily Fang reports that after two continuous weeks of US strikes against Iran, the past night was notably quiet, though escalation remains possible.
US Response: President Trump indicated intelligence that Iran had moved uranium centrifuges deep under “Pickaxe Mountain” and suggested the US may target it heavily (00:20).
Internal Iranian Unrest: Signs of a split between Iranian hardliners and moderates on negotiating with the US. Internal censorship causes additional uncertainty.
Regional Fallout: UK, Germany, and France have withdrawn diplomats from Tehran. In Israel, public shelters are opening in anticipation of violence.
Memorable moment:
New Nominee: After a scandal forced the previous frontrunner (Graham Platner) to withdraw, Democrats selected Troy Jackson, logger and ex-State Senate president, to challenge Susan Collins (01:04).
Campaign Message: Jackson calls for unity among Maine Democrats, signifying a pivot to general election mode.
Notable quote:
Rescheduled Event: The annual dinner resumed after its prior abrupt end due to a gunman in April.
Trump’s Address: Used familiar jokes and open criticism of individual journalists.
Memorable quotes:
Policy Shift: A federal advisory panel recommends the FDA reclassify most peptide compounds so specialized US pharmacies can offer them (03:15).
Broader Impact: Seen as a victory for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the wellness industry, which has promoted peptides for unproven benefits.
Expert Cautions: The FDA and scientists reiterate insufficient safety data on these widely promoted, but unapproved, drugs.
Key quote:
Evacuations: Over 140,000 in southwestern France and tens of thousands more in Spain are displaced as a result of severe wildfires (04:02).
Cause: Scientists blame hotter temperatures resulting from climate change.
Tour de France: The final stage will be cut short because so many emergency workers are fighting fires, compromising event security.
Brief summary statement:
Emily Fang (Iran):
“So there’s a lot of uncertainty.” (00:42)
Troy Jackson (Maine):
“There is a place in this campaign for all of you.” (01:22)
President Trump (Dinner):
“When I'm not around, you're going to be broke. There's not going to be anybody to report on.” (02:41)
For listeners seeking fast, broad coverage of today’s most urgent stories, this episode provides a concise and news-rich summary anchored by clear reporting and sharp, relevant soundbites from sources at the heart of each story.