Fragile Iran-Israel ceasefire holds

NYC mayoral race upset, tax bill debate, and a Revolutionary War-era boat

ADVERTISEMENT View in Browser Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate. By Sarah Naffa June 25, 2025 By Sarah Naffa June 25, 2025 In the news today: A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel gives rise to hopes for long-term peace; a look at what's in and out of U.S. President Donald Trump's tax bill; and 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani delivers an upset in New York City's mayoral primary. Also, a Revolutionary War-era boat found under the World Trade Center in Manhattan is being rebuilt. This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows damage at Fordo enrichment facility after strikes in Iran. (Maxar Technologies via AP) WORLD NEWS A fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel gives rise to hopes for a long-term peace The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Wednesday after a rocky start, giving rise to cautious hope that it could lead to a long-term peace agreement even as Tehran insists it will not give up its nuclear program. Read more. Recent developments: Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed Wednesday that the country's nuclear facilities had been "badly damaged" in American strikes over the weekend. Speaking on Al Jazeera, Baghaei refused to go into detail but conceded the strikes on Sunday by American B-2 bombers using bunker-buster bombs had been significant.   At the NATO summit Wednesday, when asked about a U.S. intelligence report that found Iran's nuclear program has been set back only a few months, Trump scoffed and said it would at least take "years" to rebuild.   Iran has insisted it will not give up its nuclear program and in a vote underscoring the tough path ahead, the Iranian parliament agreed to fast-track a proposal that would effectively stop the country's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Vienna-based U.N. watchdog that has been monitoring the Iranian nuclear program for years. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A changed Middle East brings vindication for Netanyahu but comes at a cost for Israel Beijing, a longtime friend of Tehran, turns to cautious diplomacy in Iran's war with Israel This is what could happen next after an Israel-Iran ceasefire POLITICS What's in and out of Trump's big bill as Senate races to meet Fourth of July deadline Republicans who have majority control of the House and Senate are finding that their push to move fast and change things — namely cuts to federal government programs including Medicaid and SNAP food stamps used by millions of Americans — is easier said than done. Read more. Why this matters: The top priority for Republicans is preventing what they warn would be a massive tax hike when the tax breaks they put in place during Trump's first term, in 2017, expire. The bill also funds deportations, a border wall and Trump's heroes garden. To help partly offset the lost tax revenue, Republicans are seeking to cut back some long-running government programs — Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy incentives. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ House shelves effort to impeach Trump over Iran strikes   Trump administration postpones classified briefings for lawmakers on Iran   Presidents vs. Congress: Trump is only the latest to test the War Powers Act   A whirlwind 48 hours: How Trump's Israel-Iran ceasefire agreement came together   Trump administration authorizes $30 million for Israeli-backed group distributing food in Gaza   US carrier strike group embarks on a scheduled deployment amid Middle East tensions   Live updates: Trump meets with NATO allies   NATO leaders hark back to the Cold War as they meet to hike defense spending   Rep. Robert Garcia elected top Democrat on Oversight panel, setting new path for party's opposition   Court orders Trump administration to facilitate another deported man's return from El Salvador   Trump administration asks Supreme Court to clear the way for a South Sudan-bound deportation flight   What to know about 'Alligator Alcatraz,' Florida's immigration detention site in the Everglades   Federal judge orders Trump administration to release EV charger funding in 14 states   Lawsuit challenges billions of dollars in Trump administration funding cuts   Americans' take on the economy sours in June and, after a brief respite, continues to slide   Wisconsin Supreme Court delivers win for environmentalists in fight over 'forever chemicals' How US adults' views on same-sex marriage have changed since the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling U.S. NEWS Zohran Mamdani declares victory in NYC's Democratic mayoral primary as Cuomo concedes Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night after Andrew Cuomo conceded the race in a stunning upset, as the progressive upstart built a substantial lead over the scandal-scarred former governor. Read more. What to know: Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist and member of the state Assembly since 2021, would be the city's first Muslim and Indian American mayor if elected. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams skipped the primary. He's running as an independent in the general election. Cuomo also has the option of running in the general election. Unofficial ranked-choice ballot results from New York City's Board of Elections showed that Mamdani was ranked on more ballots than Cuomo. Mamdani was listed as the second choice by tens of thousands of more voters than Cuomo. Cuomo and Mamdani were a study in political contrasts and could have played stand-ins for the larger Democratic Party's ideological divide, with one candidate a fresh-faced progressive and the other an older moderate. Cuomo characterized the city as a threatening, out-of-control place desperate for an experienced leader who could restore order. Mamdani offered an optimistic message around lowering the cost of living. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Alvin Bragg, Manhattan prosecutor who took on Trump, wins Democratic primary in bid for second term New York City closes arrival center for migrants in once grand Manhattan hotel Lawsuit challenges a Long Island county's partnership in New York with ICE ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS READ Russia-Ukraine War: Drone debris found in Ukraine indicates Russia is using new technology from Iran Pivot to more self-sufficient military: Japan conducts first missile test on its own territory as part of military buildup to deter China Preventable diseases: Global vaccination efforts stall, leaving millions of children vulnerable California: Man charged with supplying chemicals to Palm Springs fertility clinic bomber dies in custody North Pacific: Cargo ship carrying new vehicles to Mexico sinks weeks after catching fire SpaceX: Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on a privately funded trip to the space station Today in History: In 1947, "The Diary of a Young Girl," the personal journal of Anne Frank was first published WATCH Holes reminiscent of Swiss cheese: Switzerland's ebbing glaciers show a new, strange phenomenon Bogota: Recyclers flood Bogota plaza with waste bottles in protest to demand better pay Nonprofit founded by 12-year-old boy: Volunteers play live music to soothe stressed shelter animals New York: 15 sets of twins graduate from one high school A CHANGE OF PACE Visitors to the New York State Museum view a Revolutionary War-era gunboat that is being partially reconstructed, May 30, in Albany, New York. (AP Photo/Michael Hill) A Revolutionary War-era boat is being painstakingly rebuilt after centuries buried beneath Manhattan Workers digging at Manhattan's World Trade Center site 15 years ago made an improbable discovery: sodden timbers from a boat built during the Revolutionary War. Now, over 600 pieces from the 50-foot vessel are being painstakingly reassembled at the New York State Museum. Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Sarah SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE. Manage preferences or unsubscribe | Privacy Policy *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT