NPR News: 06-19-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 19, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Release Date: June 19, 2025

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1. Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Iran

Israel’s Call for Action Against Iran’s Supreme Leader

The episode opens with alarming developments in the Middle East, where calls for the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, are intensifying within Israel. Speaking from Holon, a suburb heavily impacted by recent conflicts, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made a provocative statement:

"Killing Iran's supreme leader is a goal of the war. The Israeli military was directed and knows that in order to achieve all the objectives of the war, this man certainly cannot continue to exist."
— Israel Katz [00:46]

Katz further intensified the rhetoric by likening Khamenei to historical figures:

"We will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere."
— Israel Katz [00:46]

These declarations come in the wake of an Israeli military strike on an Iranian state TV studio, signaling a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.

U.S. Response and Deliberation

In parallel, President Donald Trump has indicated deliberation over a possible U.S. strike against Iran. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt provided an update:

"Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go [on a strike] within the next two weeks."
— Caroline Levitt [01:41]

This statement suggests a cautious approach, balancing military action with the possibility of diplomatic negotiations.

2. European Push for Diplomacy

Amid the rising tensions, European leaders are advocating for diplomatic solutions. NPR’s Rob Schmitz reports from Berlin:

Iranian Diplomatic Engagements

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee is scheduled to meet with the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom in Geneva. These meetings aim to de-escalate the situation, with a joint statement emphasizing restraint:

"All sides must show restraint, refrain from taking steps that lead to further escalation in the region, and return to diplomacy."
— Rob Schmitz [02:11]

The involvement of these European nations, key players in the original 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, underscores their continued influence and commitment to maintaining diplomatic channels.

3. TikTok’s Uncertain Future in the U.S.

Executive Order Extension

President Trump has extended TikTok’s operational deadline in the United States by another 90 days, providing additional time to secure a U.S.-based buyer for the platform. This marks the third extension following a national ban approved by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this year.

"It’s the third time Trump has extended the deadline. Congress approved a national ban that was upheld by the Supreme Court in January."
— Jeanine Hurst [02:48]

TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, remains under scrutiny amid ongoing concerns over data security and foreign influence.

4. Breakthrough in Sleep Research

Understanding Sleep Debt

Shifting to scientific advancements, a study published in the journal Science reveals a novel understanding of sleep debt. NPR’s John Hamilton summarizes the findings from Johns Hopkins University researchers:

Discovery of Sleep-Tracking Neurons

Researchers identified specific neurons in the thalamus that track sleep debt in mice. These neurons become more active when an animal is sleep-deprived and normalize once adequate rest is achieved.

"These neurons make up a circuit in the thalamus, an area of the brain that plays a crucial role in sleep-wake cycles. When the team activated these cells, mice would sleep longer and more deeply than they typically did."
— John Hamilton [03:39]

This discovery could have significant implications for understanding and treating sleep disorders, including those associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Hurricane Eric Hits Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Impact and Forecast

Hurricane Eric made landfall this morning on Mexico's Pacific coast near Punta Maldonado Aldado as a formidable Category 3 storm, boasting maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center reported a subsequent weakening of the storm to a tropical system with winds down to 50 miles per hour and higher gusts.

"The storm is forecast to drop 6 to 8 inches of rain in two different cities, with 16 inches total. Forecasters say the storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate overnight."
— Jeanine Hurst [04:20]

Residents are advised to prepare for significant rainfall and potential flooding, though the storm is expected to lessen in strength swiftly.

6. Additional News

Juneteenth Observation

In observance of Juneteenth, Wall Street was closed today, highlighting the federal recognition of this significant day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a range of critical issues, from international tensions and diplomatic efforts to technological challenges and scientific breakthroughs. Stay informed with NPR as these stories continue to unfold.

Transcript

[Lauren Schmies]

You're listening to the NPR Network, live from NPR News. I'm Lauren Schmies. A living, breathing record of your neighborhood, the country, the world, told by thousands of local journalists who live in the places where stories unfold, backed by a national newsroom that puts it all in perspective. Hear the whole country's story. Hear ways of thinking that challenge your own. Hear the bigger picture with npr.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. Calls for the assassination of Iran's supreme leader are growing in Israel. Speaking to reporters today, Israel's defense minister compared Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Hitler and reiterated it was time for Iran's supreme leader to go. NPR's Hadil Al Shalti has more.

[Hadil Al Shalti]

Speaking to reporters in Holon, the worst hit suburb of Tel Aviv Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that killing Iran's supreme leader is a goal of the war. The Israeli military was directed and knows that in order to achieve all the objectives of the war, this man certainly cannot continue to exist, he said. Earlier this week, Katz said, quote, we will strike the Iranian dictator everywhere. That came after the Israeli military struck an Iranian state TV studio about the supreme leader President Trump posted this week on his social media platform, Truth Social, quote, we know exactly where he is, but added, quote, we are not going to take him out. Trump kill, at least for now. Hadil Al Shalji, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Meanwhile, President Trump says he will decide whether the US Will strike Iran soon. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt Today.

[Caroline Levitt]

I have a message directly from the president, and I quote, based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.

[Jeanine Hurst]

And as the Trump administration weighs whether to join Israel in its conflict with Iran, European leaders are pushing for diplomacy. As NPR's Rob Schmitz reports from Berlin, Iran's foreign minister is set to meet with his counterparts tomorrow.

[Rob Schmitz]

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee is scheduled to meet with the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom in Geneva. All three of the countries teamed up with the European Union to write a joint statement which says all sides must show restraint, refrain from taking steps that lead to further escalation in the region, and return to diplomacy. The same three European countries played an important role in the negotiations over the original 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, and they've repeatedly threatened to reinstate sanctions lifted under the deal if Iran does not improve its cooperation with UN Nuclear inspectors. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin.

[Jeanine Hurst]

President Trump has granted the popular short video app TikTok another reprieve, signing an executive order today to keep it running for another 90 days to allow more more time to find a US buyer for the site. It's the third time Trump has extended the deadline. Congress approved a national ban that was upheld by the Supreme Court in January. And on Trump's first day in office, he extended the deadline for the first time. It's not clear how many times he can do this or will do this. TikTok is owned by China's ByteDance. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Researchers have identified a special circuit in the brain that keeps track of an animal's sleep debt and makes sure it gets paid off. NPR's John Hamilton reports on a study in the journal Science.

[John Hamilton]

Skimp on sleep one night and you'll probably do some extra snoozing the next. That's sleep debt. And scientists think they've figured out how it works. A team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University identified special neurons that become more active when a mouse is sleep deprived, then resume normal activity. The mouse has caught up. These neurons make up a circuit in the thalamus, an area of the brain that plays a crucial role in sleep wake cycles. When the team activated these cells, mice would sleep longer and more deeply than they typically did. The finding could help explain how disorders like Alzheimer's may cause people to sleep too much or too little. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Hurricane Eric made landfall this morning on Mexico's Pacific coast, about 20 miles east of Punta Maldon Aldado as a powerful Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 miles an hour and heavy rain. The National Hurricane center says the storm has now weakened to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 miles an hour with higher gusts. The storm is forecast to drop 6 to 8 inches of rain in two different cities, with 16 inches total. Forecasters say the storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate overnight. Wall Street's closed today in honor of the Juneteenth federal holiday. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[John Hamilton]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on.

[Rob Schmitz]

Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.