U.S. and world news for June 25

Trump repeats claims that Iran’s nuclear sites were obliterated

The U.S. military’s strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend did not destroy the core components of its nuclear program as President Donald Trump claimed, an early U.S. intelligence assessment report showed. Instead, the attack likely only set Iran’s program back by three to six months. Sources told CNN that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was not destroyed and that its centrifuges were largely intact. At the NATO summit today, Trump repeated hi claims that Iran’s nuclear program was obliterated. On his social media site, Trump decried the CNN story and claimed the attack was “ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY. THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!” The White House also issued a statement supporting what Trump said while also admitting that the first damage assessments have been received.

Judge upholds rights of federal workers

On Tuesday, a federal judge blocked President Trump’s efforts to terminate the collective bargaining rights of more than 1 million federal employees. Even as the Department of Government Efficiency continues its campaign to shrink the federal workforce, agencies are rehiring and ordering back from leave a number of employees who were laid off. Some firings were stopped by the courts, while other reinstatements came at the request of lawmakers and the industries and groups they serve. Many federal workers were reinstated when the administration realized it needed their expertise and experience in areas such as the bird flu, mine safety and weather forecasting. Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, said the firing and reinstatement of workers “shows the mosaic of incompetence and a failure on the part of this administration to understand the critical value that the breadth of government expertise provides.”

Political upset in New York City mayoral primary

Zohran Mamdani declared victory in the New York City Democratic primary for mayor after his top rival, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, conceded. CNN projects that the democratic socialist and three-term state assemblyman’s initial support will remain below 50%, meaning the race will be formally decided by ranked-choice votes and announced in July. However, it appears Mamdani’s platform — which includes a rent freeze, making city buses free, affordable childcare, raising taxes on the wealthy — struck a chord with New Yorkers. And his strong performance at the polls will likely provide a nationwide boost to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. If elected, Mamdani would be the city’s first Muslim mayor.

Trump names allies to Homeland Security council

President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced numerous appointments to an advisory council inside the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday. Some of the experts Trump tapped for the council include his former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, former campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski, right-wing political commentator Mark Levin, and Chris Cox, a chainsaw artist who founded the political group Bikers for Trump. The council provides “real-time, real-world and independent advice on homeland security operations.”

Heat wave moderates slightly as cold front approaches

Tuesday was the hottest day in over a decade for many parts of the East Coast. Temperatures rose 15 to 20 degrees above normal and multiple major cities along the I-95 corridor saw highs at or above 100 degrees. Brought on by a potent heat dome, the brutal temps claimed at least one life and sent dozens to the hospital. The heat also disrupted train services and caused several roads in Wisconsin and Missouri to buckle. And the record-breaking hot spell is going to continue. A level 4-of-4 extreme heat risk is in place through at least Thursday from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and includes parts of the Northeast.

Bobby Sherman dies at age 81

Singer Bobby Sherman, who became a teenage idol in the 1960s and had a successful career into the 1970s, has died of cancer at age 81. Sherman had four singles and six albums on the Billboard charts. The singles were “Little Woman,” “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” and “La La La (If I Had You).” Sherman’s TV appearances included as a regular on the ABC program “Shindig.” After retiring from show business, Sherman went to work for the Los Angels Police Department as an emergency medical technician and instructor.