NPR News: June 13, 2025 | 4PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Publisher: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

1. House Approves Funding Rescission for Public Media

At the outset of today's broadcast, an unnamed speaker reported a significant development in government funding for public media:

“The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. The rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it.”
[00:00]

This decision could have profound implications for public media outlets across the nation, potentially impacting their operations and programming.

2. Escalation of Tensions: Iranian Missile Strikes and Israeli Retaliation

NPR's Lakshmi Singh detailed escalating tensions in the Middle East:

“More Iranian missile strikes on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv today. Sirens sounded, people took shelter. Streaks of flames crossed the dark sky as Israel's defense system intercepted most of the missiles. An unknown number got through.”
[00:25]

Visual evidence of the attack included images of a partially charred building, with reports of casualties pending independent confirmation. In a retaliatory move, Iranian state media showcased Israeli strikes targeting Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.

Jeff Brumfiel provided further insight into the situation:

“The Israel Defense Forces said that it had struck Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. In a statement, it said that it had hit a multi-story underground complex that contained centrifuges, electrical rooms, and supporting equipment.”
[01:08]

Satellite imagery from Airbus revealed extensive damage, underscoring the severity of the strikes on a site pivotal to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

3. Tragic Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad

Tragedy struck yesterday when an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad. Lakshmi Singh reported:

“Investigators say they have recovered the flight data recorder from the Air India plane that crashed yesterday in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff. 241 people on the plane and an unknown number on the ground were killed. One person from the flight survived.”
[01:44]

Further details emerged during the arraignment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia:

“The air accident's sole survivor was a British national, authorities have confirmed. But the airline says 52 other UK citizens died when the aircraft plummeted soon after takeoff.”
[02:01]

Leaders from British Indian communities mourned the loss of individuals, including two young parents and their four-year-old child, highlighting the personal tragedies behind the statistics.

4. Surge in Social Security Claims

NPR's Laurel Wamsley reported a significant increase in Social Security claims this year:

“From January to May, the number of Americans claiming Social Security benefits was nearly 18% higher than the same period last year. One group claiming at much higher rates is 62-year-olds, the youngest you can file.”
[02:31]

Highlighting personal stories, Bill Armstrong shared his reasons for filing early:

“With the election, I thought, you know, my career might be over as I know it. I decided, you know, I better get in the system before they move that age higher.”
[02:54]

Despite assurances from President Trump that Social Security would remain untouched, many Americans face financial uncertainties. Wamsley emphasized the long-term benefits of delaying claims:

“For every year you delay claiming until age 70, your monthly payment for life is 8% higher.”
[03:04]

5. Legal and Environmental Challenges: Deportation and Wildfires

Lakshmi Singh covered two pressing issues:

a. Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Legal Battle:
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongfully deported to El Salvador, pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges upon his return to the U.S.

“His attorney entered the plea at Abrego Garcia's arraignment. The case amplified President Trump's confrontation with the judiciary after Abrego Garcia was deported in mid-March.”
[03:21]

b. Wildfires in the Columbia River Gorge:
A wildfire in Oregon, adjacent to Washington State, continues to rage, prompting mass evacuations.

Anna King reported:

“The Rowena fire is burning thousands of acres on the Oregon side, while several smaller fires have popped up and blocked the Washington side, too.”
[04:05]

Personal accounts highlighted the chaos:

“Phyllis Baxter and her daughter were headed to eastern Washington when they were turned back twice on either side of the Columbia Gorge by wildfires.”
[04:24]

Their attempts to navigate the fire-ridden area took over 10 hours, underscoring the severe impact of the wildfires on local communities.

6. U.S. Stock Markets Experience Sharp Declines

Concluding the broadcast, Lakshmi Singh reported a downturn in the financial markets:

“U.S. stocks end the day sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 769 points, or 1.7%, to end the day at 42,197. The Nasdaq closed down 255 points, or more than 1%. The S&P down also more than 1%.”
[04:44]

This significant drop reflects broader economic uncertainties that may be influencing investor confidence.

Note: The episode excludes advertisements, introductions, and non-content segments to focus solely on delivering the latest news updates.

Source: NPR News Now Podcast Transcript