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People hold flags of Iran and Hezbollah as well as posters of Supreme Leader Khamenei as Iranians take to the streets in the downtown Enghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran on June 24, 2025, to celebrate the ceasefire after a 12-day war with Israel.

People hold flags of Iran and Hezbollah as well as posters of Supreme Leader Khamenei as Iranians take to the streets in the downtown Enghelab (Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran on June 24, 2025, to celebrate the ceasefire after a 12-day war with Israel. NEGAR/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty hide caption

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NEGAR/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty

Middle East conflict

Forget 'total obliteration' — experts say Iran and U.S. need to negotiate

President Trump doubled down on his claims that the U.S. strikes in Iran last weekend "obliterated" its key nuclear facilities. But experts say that regardless of the amount of damage done to Iran's nuclear facilities, deliberate negotiations leading to a lasting agreement are crucial to prevent the resumption of war.

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MARO: Tiny Desk Concert

Regardless of language, culture or place, within a few weeping guitars and mesmerizing vocals lies some deeply and universally felt truths.
TOPSHOT - Adults and children work in a quarry in Ouagadougou on December 7, 2015. - The International labour Organisation marks on June 12 the World Day Against Child Labour, to draw attention on the plight of over 168 million children still in child labour. (Photo by NABILA EL HADAD / AFP) (Photo by NABILA EL HADAD/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - Adults and children work in a quarry in Ouagadougou on December 7, 2015. - The International labour Organisation marks on June 12 the World Day Against Child Labour, to draw attention on the plight of over 168 million children still in child labour. (Photo by NABILA EL HADAD / AFP) (Photo by NABILA EL HADAD/AFP via Getty Images) Nabila El Hadad/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Nabila El Hadad/AFP via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

How many kids go to work instead of school?

They toil in mines, tend crops, scrub floors. An author of a new report on child labor points to great progress in reducing the number of kids who work but says the numbers remain "unacceptable."

UNICEF report finds progress made on tackling child labor in many parts of the world

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Kari Lake, President Trump's special adviser overseeing the shrinking of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Kari Lake, President Trump's special adviser overseeing the shrinking of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on June 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

Politics

Kari Lake takes her war on Voice of America to Congress

Presidential adviser Kari Lake attacked the Voice of America in Congressional testimony Wednesday. A former network official called her actions "profoundly harmful to our national interests."
The White House shines with rainbow-colored lights June 26, 2015, celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states.

The White House shines with rainbow-colored lights June 26, 2015, celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage in all 50 states. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Law

'Equal dignity': A U.S. map shows the impact of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision

"They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law," then-Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the June 26, 2015, ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. "The Constitution grants them that right."
Plaintiff Jim Obergefell holds a photo of his late husband John Arthur as he speaks to members of the media after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a ruling regarding same-sex marriage June 26, 2015 outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. The high court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states.

Plaintiff Jim Obergefell holds a photo of his late husband John Arthur as he speaks to members of the media after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a ruling regarding same-sex marriage June 26, 2015 outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC. The high court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50 states. Alex Wong/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Alex Wong/Getty Images North America

Interview highlights

He sued for marriage equality and won. 10 years later, he fears for LGBTQ+ rights

Jim Obergefell, plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage in all 50 states, reflects on the decision 10 years later and the LGBTQ community's current civil rights fight.

He sued for marriage equality and won. 10 years later, he fears for LGBTQ+ rights

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Eda Uzunlar for NPR

Education

What the Class of 2025 has to say about the state of higher education

Three graduating college seniors reflect on how their final semester, during the Trump presidency, has changed how they think about higher education.

How the Trump administration has impacted these college seniors' career plans

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Here to Help

After receiving help post-hurricane, this woman has found joy in volunteering

People volunteer for different reasons. One North Carolina woman started after volunteers rebuilt her home after Hurricane Helene. Months later, volunteering weekly is her passion.

Here to Help: HURRICANE VOLUNTEER

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Jackline Conteh is helping the Rev. Donald Goodness put on his socks as he reclines in bed.

Jackline Conteh, one of many African-born caregivers at the Goodwin House Alexandria nursing home, cares for the Rev. Donald Goodness. Alyssa Schukar/for KFF Health News hide caption

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Alyssa Schukar/for KFF Health News

Shots - Health News

Nursing homes face 2 threats: Trump's Medicaid cuts and his immigration crackdown

 KFF Health News

Understaffed nursing homes rely on an immigrant workforce. Cuts to Medicaid and a tough immigration policy amount to a double whammy for the long-term care industry.
People impacted by wildfires in 2025 seek information and relief at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Pasadena, Calif.

People impacted by wildfires in 2025 seek information and relief at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Pasadena, Calif. The president has said the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, should be eliminated, and has appointed a group of high level officials to recommend options for restructuring or reforming the agency. Etienne Laurent/AP hide caption

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Etienne Laurent/AP

Climate

The Trump administration says it wants to eliminate FEMA. Here's what we know

Every year, millions of Americans rely on FEMA assistance after hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and other disasters. The president says state governments should do more.
An illustration of people relaxing in sailboats on a summer day. The sails are shaped like books.
Jackie Lay/NPR

Review

Books We Love

Here are the nonfiction books NPR staffers have loved so far this year

A deep dive on gossip. Revolutionary history. A meditation on muscle. A closer look at the color blue. And memoirs galore. There's something for everyone on this nonfiction summer reading list.

Here are the nonfiction books NPR staffers have loved so far this year

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Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 20, 2025 in New York City. Federal agents are arresting immigrants during mandatory check-ins, as ICE ramps up enforcement following immigration court hearings.

Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on June 20, 2025 in New York City. Federal agents are arresting immigrants during mandatory check-ins, as ICE ramps up enforcement following immigration court hearings. Michael Nigro/Sipa USA/Reuters hide caption

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Michael Nigro/Sipa USA/Reuters

ICE arrested a 6-year-old boy with Leukemia at immigration court. His family is suing

 Texas Public Radio

A Honduran mother and her two children have sued the Trump administration over their arrest at LA Immigration Court, the first lawsuit challenging the arrests of children under a new ICE directive.
Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the president's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget on Capitol Hill on June 25, 2025, in Washington.

Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget on Capitol Hill on June 25, 2025, in Washington. Mariam Zuhaib/AP hide caption

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Mariam Zuhaib/AP

Law

The Trump administration sues all of Maryland's federal judges over blocked deportations

The action lays bare the administration's attempt to exert its will over immigration enforcement, and a growing anger at federal judges who have blocked executive branch actions they see as lawless.
Electric vehicles sit parked at a Tesla charging station in Sausalito, Calif. In 2021 Congress designated $5 billion dollars to pay for high-speed EV chargers along highway corridors. The Trump administration put a pause on the distribution of that money, which a coalition of states have challenged in court. A judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the funding freeze be lifted for more than a dozen states.

Electric vehicles sit parked at a Tesla charging station in Sausalito, Calif. In 2021 Congress designated $5 billion dollars to pay for high-speed EV chargers along highway corridors. The Trump administration put a pause on the distribution of that money, which a coalition of states have challenged in court. A judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the funding freeze be lifted for more than a dozen states. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America

Business

A judge orders the Trump administration to resume distributing money for EV chargers

Congress designated money for building new EV chargers, but the Trump administration put a freeze on those funds. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the program to resume.

Judge orders Trump administration to resume distributing money for EV chargers

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Emil Bove, President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, testifies during his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing on June 25, 2025.

Emil Bove, President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, testifies during his Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing on June 25, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images hide caption

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Deep Dive

Law

Trump's pick for an appeals judge is seen as 'ill-suited' to a lifetime appointment

The confirmation of the president's former personal lawyer Emil Bove to an appellate judgeship could be fairly smooth, as Wednesday's hearing included no critical words from Senate Republicans.
Illustration of people standing in a field flying book-shaped kites on a summer day.
Jackie Lay/NPR

Review

Books We Love

NPR staffers pick their favorite fiction reads of 2025 so far

After long days focused on the facts, our newsroom reads a lot of fiction at home. We asked our NPR colleagues what they've enjoyed reading so far this year. Here's what they told us.

NPR staffers pick their favorite fiction reads of 2025 so far

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A young boy holds up a sign reading "bans off her body bruh" at a rally outside the State Capitol in support of abortion rights in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14, 2022.

A young boy holds up a sign reading "bans off her body bruh" at a rally outside the State Capitol in support of abortion rights in Atlanta, Georgia on May 14, 2022. Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Elijah Nouvelage/AFP via Getty Images

Word of the week

Brother to Bruh: How Gen Alpha slang has its origins in the 16th century

What was once another shortened way to call a friend "brother," the word "bruh" is now being used widely, especially by Gen Alpha kids, to address parents, express sadness, frustration, happiness and seemingly everything else under the sun.

Brother to Bruh: How Gen Alpha slang has its origins in the 16th century

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FILE - This undated photo provided by the Mississippi Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Richard Gerald Jordan.

FILE - This undated photo provided by the Mississippi Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Richard Gerald Jordan. Mississippi Department of Corrections/AP hide caption

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Mississippi Department of Corrections/AP

National

Mississippi executes the longest-serving man on the state's death row for a 1976 killing

Richard Gerald Jordan, the longest-serving man on Mississippi's death row was executed Wednesday, nearly five decades after he kidnapped and killed a bank loan officer's wife in a violent ransom scheme.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Ebon Moss-Bachrach Michael Becker/Hulu hide caption

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Michael Becker/Hulu

Television

Hold the yelling: Ebon Moss-Bachrach says 'The Bear' set is 'very loving'

Moss-Bachrach has won two Emmys for his portrayal of an abrasive and ornery cook/maître d on the FX series The Bear. The show is known for kitchen chaos, but he says the set is calm and well run.

Hold the yelling: Ebon Moss-Bachrach says 'The Bear' set is 'very loving'

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