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[00:01]
DataIQ Announcer
This message comes from DataIQ. AI is everywhere, but companies struggle to prove results. For that, they need people, orchestration and governance working as1.Data IQ is the platform for AI success built to bring it all together. Visit D A T-I K U.com NPR
[00:23]
Jeanine Herbst
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Vice President Vance is heading to Switzerland for talks between US And Iranian negotiations on ending the war President Trump and Israel started more than three months ago. He says special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son in law Jared Kushner are already there. Meanwhile, there is confusion over the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it's closed because Israel continues its deadly bombing campaign on the Iranian backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. But Vance says the strait is open to ship traffic.
[00:56]
Unidentified Expert/Analyst
No, we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz there. It is going to take some time to clear those mines though.
[01:03]
Jeanine Herbst
Speaking there to FOX News, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon today killed at least 16 people, including children and a Lebanese army soldier, according to officials. This despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran supported Hezbollah was announced yesterday. NPR's Jane Araf visited Nabatiya earlier this week, which is still a center of fighting.
[01:23]
Jane Araf
There is an awful lot of destruction, including downtown in the historic Ottoman era market, hundreds of years old. All of that was heavily damaged. We met one of residence, Najeeb Ayad, a little further into the city. He was returning briefly to see the damage to his apartment. There was the sound of artillery in the distance. You could see smoke rising and inside all the glass had been blown out, including the balcony doors. He's saying, you see that castle? See what it looks like from his balcony? You can see the Beaufort Castle. It's a Crusader era fortress on a strategic hill that's now occupied by Israeli forces. So he said that as long as Israeli forces are that close, he could never move back. There are now more than 1 million people displaced in Lebanon. Some had tried to return, but recent fighting has driven them out again.
[02:19]
Jeanine Herbst
NPR's Jane Aref reporting. Southern Europe is once again bracing for unusually high temperatures in the coming days following a record breaking heat wave that happened in May and in early June. Alison Roberts reports from Portugal, one of the places where a high risk of wildfires is of a particular concern.
[02:38]
Alison Roberts
Temperatures as high as 110 degrees are foreseen in Portugal's interior with more than half the country at maximum fire risk by Tuesday. With nighttime temperatures in many areas stuck above 70 degrees in a country where most homes lack air conditioning, health officials are on high alert. Authorities are appealing to people not to observe the St. John's Eve tradition on August 23rd of releasing hot air balloons with open flames. Neighbouring Spain and France are also expecting unusually high temperatures, though meteorologists dismiss suggestions these could go up to 120 degrees. For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.
[03:17]
Jeanine Herbst
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. A massive fire in the Dominican Republic yesterday nearly destroyed a luxury resort for forcing nearly 1700 tourists to evacuate. The Viva Dominicas beach by Wyndham is a popular destination for US and international tourists on the Dominican Republic's southeastern coast. Now the cause of the blaze is under investigation. Fire officials, though, say it apparently spread quickly because of wind and also that part of the resort's roof was made of thatch. Pope Leo visited the birthplace of Mother Frances Cabrini today, using the visit in northern Italy to highlight the Catholic Church's duty to care for. Meanwhile, a new poll shows most Catholics in the US Say President Trump has been too critical of the Pope. NPR's Jason Dubroz reports on the findings of a recent study from the Pew Research Center.
[04:13]
Jason DeRose
51% of those surveyed say the president has been overly harsh toward the Pontiff, while just 19% say Leo has been too critical of the Trump administration. 16% of American Catholics say the pope hasn't been critical enough. The Pew poll also finds that nearly 8 in 10 approve of the first US born pope. Overall, not surprisingly, Catholic Democrats and Independents express somewhat more favorable views of Leo than Catholic Republicans. Pew Research conducted the poll in late May and early June in the wake of public tensions between President Trump and Pope Leo over the war with Iran. Jason DeRose, NPR News.
[04:55]
Jeanine Herbst
And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
[05:03]
DataIQ Announcer
This message comes from DataIQ. AI is everywhere, but companies struggle to prove results. For that, they need people, orchestration and governance working as one. DataIQ is the platform for AI success, built to bring it all together. Visit D A T a I k u.com NPR.

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – June 20, 2026, 7PM EDT

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: June 20, 2026
Episode: NPR News: 06-20-2026 7PM EDT
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update covers the latest international developments, with a focus on escalating Middle East tensions, humanitarian impacts in Lebanon, ongoing heatwaves in southern Europe, a resort fire in the Dominican Republic, and new polling data reflecting U.S. Catholic views amid Church and White House tensions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East Diplomacy: U.S., Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz

[00:23–01:03]

Vice President Vance is traveling to Switzerland for U.S.–Iranian talks aimed at ending the war that began with President Trump and Israel’s military campaign.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner (Trump’s son-in-law) are already in Switzerland for negotiations.
There is confusion about the status of the Strait of Hormuz:
- Iranian claims: Strait is closed due to Israeli bombing of Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- U.S. response (Vance): Strait is open to ship traffic.
Expert analysis (Unidentified):

"No, we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz there. It is going to take some time to clear those mines though."
— [00:55, Unidentified Expert]

2. Violence and Displacement in Lebanon

[01:03–02:19]

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed at least 16, including children and a Lebanese soldier, despite an announced ceasefire.
Ceasefire’s fragility: Ongoing violence between Israel and Hezbollah persists.
Jane Araf reports from Nabatiya:
- Heavy destruction, especially in historical sites (e.g., Ottoman-era market).
- Interview with resident Najeeb Ayad, who returns briefly to assess his damaged apartment:
  
  “See that castle? See what it looks like from his balcony? You can see the Beaufort Castle... now occupied by Israeli forces. So he said that as long as Israeli forces are that close, he could never move back.”
  — [01:52, Jane Araf]
- Displacement:
  - Over 1 million people displaced in Lebanon; some attempted returns, but renewed fighting has driven many out again.

3. Southern Europe Heatwave and Fire Risks

[02:19–03:17]

Record-breaking heatwave continues:
- Portugal expects temps up to 110°F (43°C); over half the country at max fire risk.
- Persistent high nighttime temps (above 70°F) in homes often lacking AC.
Public health and safety warnings:
- Officials urge refraining from traditional St. John’s Eve hot air balloon celebrations due to fire risk.
Regional concern:
- Spain and France also facing high temps, though fears of 120°F are dismissed by meteorologists.

“With nighttime temperatures in many areas stuck above 70 degrees in a country where most homes lack air conditioning, health officials are on high alert.”
— [02:52, Alison Roberts, Lisbon]

4. Dominican Republic: Resort Fire & Evacuation

[03:17–03:49]

Massive fire at the Viva Dominicas Beach by Wyndham resort:
- Nearly destroyed the resort; forced evacuation of ~1,700 tourists.
- Cause under investigation; spread rapidly due to wind and thatched roofing.

5. Pope Leo, U.S. Catholics, and White House Tensions

[03:49–04:54]

Papal visit: Pope Leo visits Mother Frances Cabrini’s birthplace in Italy, emphasizing the Church’s duty of care.
New Pew Research Poll on U.S. Catholics:
- 51% say President Trump has been too critical of the Pope.
- Only 19% believe Leo has been too critical of the Trump administration; 16% think the Pope hasn’t been critical enough.
- Nearly 80% approve of Pope Leo (first U.S.-born pontiff).
- Catholic Democrats/Independents view Leo more favorably than Catholic Republicans.

“51% of those surveyed say the president has been overly harsh toward the Pontiff, while just 19% say Leo has been too critical of the Trump administration… Nearly 8 in 10 approve of the first US born pope.”
— [04:13, Jason DeRose]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the state of the Strait of Hormuz:
"No, we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz there. It is going to take some time to clear those mines though."
— [00:55, Unidentified Expert]
On the devastation in Lebanon:
“…As long as Israeli forces are that close, he could never move back.”
— [01:52, Jane Araf reporting Najeeb Ayad’s words]
On dangerous heat in Portugal:
"With nighttime temperatures in many areas stuck above 70 degrees in a country where most homes lack air conditioning, health officials are on high alert."
— [02:52, Alison Roberts]
On U.S. Catholics’ views:
"51% of those surveyed say the president has been overly harsh toward the Pontiff, while just 19% say Leo has been too critical of the Trump administration..."
— [04:13, Jason DeRose]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[00:23] – U.S.–Iran–Israel war developments, Strait of Hormuz update
[01:03] – Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, displacement, report from Nabatiya
[02:19] – Europe’s heatwave, fire risks in Portugal
[03:17] – Fire at Dominican Republic resort, tourist evacuation
[03:49] – Pope Leo’s visit, Pew poll on U.S. Catholics and tensions with Trump
[04:54] – News sign-off

This episode delivers a concise yet comprehensive update on critical international stories, humanitarian consequences, climatic threats, and shifting public sentiments amid ongoing global tensions.

Loading summary

Transcript11 lines

[00:01]
DataIQ Announcer
This message comes from DataIQ. AI is everywhere, but companies struggle to prove results. For that, they need people, orchestration and governance working as1.Data IQ is the platform for AI success built to bring it all together. Visit D A T-I K U.com NPR
[00:23]
Jeanine Herbst
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Vice President Vance is heading to Switzerland for talks between US And Iranian negotiations on ending the war President Trump and Israel started more than three months ago. He says special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son in law Jared Kushner are already there. Meanwhile, there is confusion over the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it's closed because Israel continues its deadly bombing campaign on the Iranian backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. But Vance says the strait is open to ship traffic.
[00:56]
Unidentified Expert/Analyst
No, we're not seeing any evidence that the Iranians are still closing down the Strait of Hormuz there. It is going to take some time to clear those mines though.
[01:03]
Jeanine Herbst
Speaking there to FOX News, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon today killed at least 16 people, including children and a Lebanese army soldier, according to officials. This despite a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran supported Hezbollah was announced yesterday. NPR's Jane Araf visited Nabatiya earlier this week, which is still a center of fighting.
[01:23]
Jane Araf
There is an awful lot of destruction, including downtown in the historic Ottoman era market, hundreds of years old. All of that was heavily damaged. We met one of residence, Najeeb Ayad, a little further into the city. He was returning briefly to see the damage to his apartment. There was the sound of artillery in the distance. You could see smoke rising and inside all the glass had been blown out, including the balcony doors. He's saying, you see that castle? See what it looks like from his balcony? You can see the Beaufort Castle. It's a Crusader era fortress on a strategic hill that's now occupied by Israeli forces. So he said that as long as Israeli forces are that close, he could never move back. There are now more than 1 million people displaced in Lebanon. Some had tried to return, but recent fighting has driven them out again.
[02:19]
Jeanine Herbst
NPR's Jane Aref reporting. Southern Europe is once again bracing for unusually high temperatures in the coming days following a record breaking heat wave that happened in May and in early June. Alison Roberts reports from Portugal, one of the places where a high risk of wildfires is of a particular concern.
[02:38]
Alison Roberts
Temperatures as high as 110 degrees are foreseen in Portugal's interior with more than half the country at maximum fire risk by Tuesday. With nighttime temperatures in many areas stuck above 70 degrees in a country where most homes lack air conditioning, health officials are on high alert. Authorities are appealing to people not to observe the St. John's Eve tradition on August 23rd of releasing hot air balloons with open flames. Neighbouring Spain and France are also expecting unusually high temperatures, though meteorologists dismiss suggestions these could go up to 120 degrees. For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.
[03:17]
Jeanine Herbst
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. A massive fire in the Dominican Republic yesterday nearly destroyed a luxury resort for forcing nearly 1700 tourists to evacuate. The Viva Dominicas beach by Wyndham is a popular destination for US and international tourists on the Dominican Republic's southeastern coast. Now the cause of the blaze is under investigation. Fire officials, though, say it apparently spread quickly because of wind and also that part of the resort's roof was made of thatch. Pope Leo visited the birthplace of Mother Frances Cabrini today, using the visit in northern Italy to highlight the Catholic Church's duty to care for. Meanwhile, a new poll shows most Catholics in the US Say President Trump has been too critical of the Pope. NPR's Jason Dubroz reports on the findings of a recent study from the Pew Research Center.
[04:13]
Jason DeRose
51% of those surveyed say the president has been overly harsh toward the Pontiff, while just 19% say Leo has been too critical of the Trump administration. 16% of American Catholics say the pope hasn't been critical enough. The Pew poll also finds that nearly 8 in 10 approve of the first US born pope. Overall, not surprisingly, Catholic Democrats and Independents express somewhat more favorable views of Leo than Catholic Republicans. Pew Research conducted the poll in late May and early June in the wake of public tensions between President Trump and Pope Leo over the war with Iran. Jason DeRose, NPR News.
[04:55]
Jeanine Herbst
And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
[05:03]
DataIQ Announcer
This message comes from DataIQ. AI is everywhere, but companies struggle to prove results. For that, they need people, orchestration and governance working as one. DataIQ is the platform for AI success, built to bring it all together. Visit D A T a I k u.com NPR.