NPR News: 06-18-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 18, 2025

Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens

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U.S. Stance on Israel-Iran Conflict

Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized that the United States should refrain from direct involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. In an interview with Fox News at [00:18], Thune advocated for diplomatic solutions, stating:

"They have menaced that region and the world now for 50 years, and it's high time that that stop. ... Iran needs to end its nuclear program. It's as simple as that." ([00:37])

He further revealed that President Trump had met with national security advisers on Tuesday to discuss Iran's nuclear activities. Trump is reportedly calling for the unconditional surrender of Tehran while assuring that Iran's supreme leader remains safe.

Tensions in the Middle East: Lebanon and Jordan Under Strain

The conflict's ripple effects are palpable in neighboring countries like Jordan and Lebanon, which find themselves in the crossfire between Israeli and Iranian air operations.

Lebanon: Resilience Amid Chaos

At a rooftop bar near Beirut, Lebanese musician Ela Atayuk performed amidst the chaos, aiming to uplift spirits during missile threats. At [01:22], NPR's Gina Raft reports:

"For citizens, there's nothing they can do but watch, and that's exactly what many are doing."

The music video of Atayuk playing saxophone as Iranian missiles passed overhead went viral, symbolizing resilience. Atayuk shared his motivation:

"Give this love to everyone who's feeling emotionally disturbed to make them feel good." ([01:48])

Jordan: Public Response to Air Raids

In Jordan, the populace has reacted passionately to air raid sirens, with many venturing outdoors despite governmental advisories to stay indoors. This surge in public activity led to heightened tensions, as NPR's Gina Raft notes:

"People have hurried outside to watch when they hear air raid sirens, so much so that the government has warned them to stay indoors." ([01:54])

Los Angeles Lifts Overnight Curfew After Protests

After a week of nightly confrontations between police and protesters, Los Angeles has lifted the overnight curfew imposed to maintain order. Mayor Karen Bass provided insights at [02:07]:

"Tensions here in the downtown area have been reduced." ([02:19])

Bass highlighted the success of the curfew and other crime prevention measures in safeguarding businesses and residential zones. During the curfew's enforcement, the city faced nightly protests involving non-lethal explosives, tear gas, and street closures. Although most confrontations have subsided, some federal buildings in downtown LA remain under protection.

U.S. Economic Indicators: Mixed Signals

Stock Market Movements

U.S. futures showed an uptick in after-hours trading on Wall Street, recovering from losses experienced on Asian Pacific markets earlier in the day. However, overall shares remained mixed, reflecting investor uncertainty.

Retail and Auto Sales Decline

The Commerce Department reported a significant downturn in consumer spending for May, with retail sales falling by 0.9%, a steep decline from the previous month's 0.1% drop. This decrease is partly attributed to a slump in auto sales, which were initially buoyed in March as consumers sought to evade high tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.

Legal Spotlight: Sean "Diddy" Combs' Prosecution Advances

The prosecution against hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is nearing the culmination of its case. On Tuesday, a pivotal government witness presented a timeline central to the trial, as detailed by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento at [03:59]:

Evidence of Abuse and Concealment

Video evidence depicting Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a 2016 LA hotel has been repeatedly shown to jurors. The timeline, constructed from phone and text records, reveals:

• Persistent Contacts: Combs made multiple calls to Ventura post-assault, with his staff attempting to reach her without success.
• Concealment Efforts: An assistant endeavored to obtain the assault video from hotel security.
• Monitoring Injuries: Texts from the following day indicate that one of Combs' security guards was tracking Ventura's injuries.

These elements support the government's racketeering charges, alleging that Combs' team actively facilitated and concealed his abusive behavior.

"All of these records are meant to support the government's racketeering charge that Combs employees facilitated and concealed his abuse." ([04:44])

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Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages, introductory segments, and non-essential content to focus solely on the core news updates provided in the episode.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the United States should not have any direct involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran. In an interview with Fox News, Thune said that Iran should resume negotiations over its nuclear program.

[John Thune]

They have menaced that region and the world now for 50 years, and it's high time that that stop. And I think President Trump is in a position, whether by diplomacy or supporting Israel and what they're doing, whether it comes forcefully or voluntarily, Iran needs to end its nuclear program. It's as simple as that.

[Shea Stevens]

Thun says that Trump met with his national security advisers Tuesday to discuss the situation in Iran. President Trump is calling for the unconditional surrender of Tehran, but says its supreme leader is currently safe. Jordan and Lebanon are among several countries caught in the flight path between Israel and Iran's air war. As NPR's Gina Raft reports, people are coping in different ways.

[Gina Raft]

For citizens, there's nothing they can do but watch, and that's exactly what many are doing. This is a rooftop bar near Beirut on the weekend. Lebanese musician Ela Atayuk plays saxophone while diners snap photos of Iranian missiles in the sky. The video went viral. Atayek, whose stage name is O. Alan Sachs, tells NPR he kept playing because he wanted to make people feel better.

[Ela Atayuk]

Give this love to everyone who's feeling emotionally disturbed to make them feel good.

[Gina Raft]

In Jordan, too, despite the danger, people have hurried outside to watch when they hear air raid sirens, so much so that the government has warned them to stay indoors. Jane Araf, NPR News, Amon.

[Shea Stevens]

An overnight curfew for downtown Los Angeles has been lifted. It was imposed last week following clashes between police and protesters. As Steve Futterman reports, Mayor Karen Bass.

[Karen Bass]

Who imposed the curfew, said tensions here in the downtown area have been reduced. In a written statement, she said the curfew and other crime prevention efforts have been successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential areas. When the curfew first went into effect, L A was enduring nightly confrontations with police, at times using non lethal explosives, tear gas, closed streets and declaring unlawful assemblies. Although the nightly protests and confrontations have essentially ended, there are still some troops in place protecting a number of downtown federal buildings. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall street following Tuesday's losses on Asia Pacific markets. Shares are mixed. You're listening to NPR. U.S. consumers pulled back on spending last month. Retail sales fell 0.9% in May, up from a 0.1% decrease. The Commerce Department says the drop in spending last month was due in part to a decline in auto sales. Car buying increased in March as consumers rushed to avoid steep tariffs on imported cars and auto parts. The prosecution is nearly done presenting its case against hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs. On Tuesday, a government witness laid out a timeline from a 2016 incident that is central to the trial, as NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarriento reports, and a warning. This report contains mentions of violence.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Video of Sean Combs hitting, kicking and dragging his then girlfriend, Cassie ventura in an LA hotel in 2016 has been shown to jurors multiple times. A new timeline of phone and text records adds further context. They show that Combs repeatedly called Ventura after she had left the hotel. When Ventura did not answer calls, Combs staff also tried to contact her. Other records show an assistant trying to contact hotel security to obtain the video of the assault. And texts from the next day showed one of Combs own security guards monitoring Ventura and reporting on the state of her injuries. All of these records are meant to support the government's racketeering charge that Combs employees facilitated and concealed his abuse. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Again, U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall street. On Asia Pacific markets. Shares are mixed. This is NPR News.

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