NPR News: 06-18-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now Episode Summary: June 18, 2025, 7AM EDT

International Relations: U.S. Stance on Iran and Israel Conflict

In the latest developments surrounding the Middle East tensions, President Donald Trump has signaled a strengthening of the United States' support for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Iran. Speaking via social media, Trump declared that "Iran's supreme leader is a 'easy target' and that 'we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran' (00:00). Despite these strong statements, the U.S. has not yet officially joined Israel's military actions against Iran.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune echoed the administration's hardline stance during an interview with Fox News, emphasizing the need to curtail Iran’s influence. "They have menaced that region and the world now for 50 years, and it's high time that that stop," Thune stated at 00:28. He further advocated for the termination of Iran's nuclear program, asserting, "Iran needs to end its nuclear program. It's as simple as that."

In response to potential military actions, Iran's supreme leader issued a stern warning today. He declared that any strike by the U.S. would result in "serious irreparable consequences" (00:47), heightening concerns over escalating tensions in the region.

U.S. Fiscal Policy: Senate and House Clash Over Tax and Spending Bill

Back in Washington, significant legislative battles are unfolding as Senate Republicans deliberate changes to the multi-trillion-dollar tax cut and spending bill initially backed by the Senate. Barbara Sprunt of NPR reports that the Senate Finance Committee has unveiled legislative text addressing contentious areas such as Medicaid and clean energy tax credits (01:10). This move sets up a direct conflict with the House, which passed its version of the bill in May after overcoming internal disagreements.

Key sticking points include the deduction for state and local taxes, with some House members asserting that the Senate's provisions do not provide sufficient deductions, marking a "collision course with the House" (01:10). Additionally, adjustments to Medicaid outlined by the Senate have raised alarms among certain senators who fear the changes could be too extensive.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released a detailed analysis indicating that the proposed measure would "increase US deficits by $2.8 trillion over the next decade" (01:46). Treasury Secretary Scott Besant countered this assessment by arguing that the CBO's analysis fails to account for the economic growth anticipated from the bill, suggesting a more optimistic fiscal outlook.

Economic Update: Chase Increases Fees on Premium Credit Card

In financial news, Chase is set to hike the annual fee for its premium Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card from $550 to a staggering $795 effective October (02:19). Alina Selyuk of NPR explains that while the company has traditionally offset the high fee with a $300 reimbursement for travel expenses, this reimbursement remains unchanged. To entice cardholders, Chase is introducing new rewards, including partnerships with Apple TV, Lyft, and DoorDash. However, the announcement has sparked backlash online, with numerous Chase users expressing their "alarmed" reactions and reconsidering their loyalty to the card (02:19).

National News: DHS Secretary Hospitalized and NYC Controller Arrested

In other national news, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Secretary Kristi Noem was taken to a hospital in Washington yesterday due to an allergic reaction. Officials clarified that her hospitalization was "out of an abundance of caution" and that she is currently recovering (02:58).

Meanwhile, New York City's controller, Brad Lander, was arrested outside an immigration court following an altercation during the escort of a migrant. Lander reportedly demanded to see an arrest warrant from a masked immigration officer, which was not provided. Accusations include that Lander "assaulted the officer and impeded a court officer" (02:58). Notably, Lander is also a contender in the mayoral race, adding a political dimension to the incident.

Entertainment: Sabrina Carpenter Tops the Song of the Summer Race

Shifting to lighter news, the race for this year's unofficial "Song of the Summer" is heating up with Sabrina Carpenter making a significant entrance. Stephen Thompson of NPR reports that Carpenter's track, "Man Child," debuted at number one on this week's Billboard Hot 100, positioning it as a strong contender in a crowded field that includes heavyweights like Morgan Wallen and Alex Warren's enduring hit, "Ordinary" (03:49). The competition remains fierce, but Carpenter’s upbeat and catchy tune has already garnered substantial attention from pop enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Today's episode of NPR News Now covered a broad spectrum of topics, from escalating international tensions and significant legislative battles in Washington to impactful economic changes affecting consumers and notable incidents in national news. Additionally, the entertainment segment highlighted the vibrant landscape of the current music scene. For those seeking a comprehensive overview of the day's key events, this episode provided a wealth of information delivered with clarity and depth.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump appears to be moving closer toward Israel in its conflict with Iran. Writing online yesterday, Trump said Iran's supreme leader is a, quote, easy target and that we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. The US has not as yet joined Israel's attacks on Iran. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Fox News that Iran's actions in the Mideast need to be stopped.

[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.

[Korva Coleman]

Iran's supreme leader has spoken publicly today. He warned that if the US Strikes, there will be serious irreparable consequences. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are considering adjusting the multi trillion dollar tax cut and spending bill backed. But NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports new Senate provisions are setting up a collision course with the House.

[Barbara Sprunt]

The Senate Finance Committee released the highly anticipated legislative text, which addresses programs like Medicaid, clean energy tax credits and other hotly disputed items. This comes after the House passed its version of the bill in May after narrowly overcoming internal divisions. Some of those House members who are at the center of the negotiations have already said the latest text from the Senate crosses their red lines, like not enough of a deduction for state and local taxes taxes. Some senators are also concerned the Senate language makes too many adjustments to Medicaid. Senate Republicans want to pass the bill by July 4th. Barbara Sprent, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has released a more detailed analysis of the proposed measure. The CBO says it would increase US deficits by $2.8 trillion over the next decade. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says it fails to take into account how much economic growth the bill creates. The major bank Chase is hiking its annual fee for a popular credit card to nearly $800. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports. It applies to a premium card often used by people to collect travel points and rewards.

[Alina Selyuk]

The card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve, highly sought after particularly for travel rewards. Its annual fee is currently $550, going up to a whopping $795 in October. The company had long offset its steep fee with a reimbursement for Travel expenses of $300, and that amount is not increasing, though Chase is promoting various new rewards, including deals with Apple TV rideshare company Lyft and food delivery service DoorDash. The news exploded online, where scores of Chase users are posting alarmed comments and reconsidering their loyalty to the card. Aline Seluk, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

This is npr. The Department of Homeland Security says Secretary Kristi Noem was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Washington yesterday. She had suffered an allergic reaction, and the agency says Noem was taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. DHS officials say she is recovering. New York City's controller was arrested yesterday outside an immigration court. Brad Lander says he was holding the arm of a migrant and escorting him at the court. He had asked to see the arrest warrant from an immigration officer who was wearing a mask. The warrant was not produced. Lander was handcuffed. The Department of Homeland Security says Lander assaulted the officer and impeded a court officer. Lander is also running for mayor. A major pop star joins the race to score this year's unofficial song of the summer. NPR's Stephen Thompson has more.

[Stephen Thompson]

2024 gave pop fans a crowded race for the year's unofficial song of the summer as major stars and new faces flooded with massive pop hits. This year it's been slower as the pop charts have been loaded with last year's hits alongside new ones from the country star Morgan Wallen and the ever present hit Ordinary by the singer Alex Warren. This week, the song of the summer sweepstakes finally gets a rowdy pop contender. Sabrina Carpenter's Man Child, ManChild is off to a good start. It debuts on this week's Billboard Hot 100 at number one. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.