NPR News Now - NPR News: 06-17-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

NPR News: 06-17-2025 8PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This message comes from NPR sponsor, Subaru. During June, as part of the Subaru Loves to Care initiative, Subaru and its retailers partner with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to give warm blankets and messages of hope to patients. Learn more at Subaru.com slash care. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. A meeting of President Donald Trump's National Security Team wrapped up with signs the administration may be warming

to the idea of having the U.S. play a role in Israel's ongoing strikes against Iran. Exactly what that means is not clear, though, NPR's Franco Ordonez reports it would be a major policy shift. This is really a significant pivot for Trump. I mean, when Israel launched its strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last week, the White House emphasized that the U.S. was not involved. But now Trump's suggesting that the U.S. is involved.

He's saying things like, we have total control of the skies. We know where the Supreme Leader is hiding. He's taking more ownership. He went on to say that the Supreme Leader is safe for now, but indicated that that could change if civilians were targeted or American soldiers. Some U.S. assets, including a third U.S. Navy destroyer and a second U.S. carrier strike group are in or are headed to the region. Israel says it's begun a new wave of airstrikes against Iran.

A Democratic U.S. senator who was dragged out of a DHS press conference last week is pleading for a bipartisan response to the Trump administration's immigration raids. NPR's Claudia Grisale reports Senator Alex Padilla made remarks during an emotional floor speech. Claudia Grisale Senator Padilla recounted his forcible removal by law enforcement officials last week. He said he was escorted by FBI and National Guard officials into the room where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was speaking. But another set of officials grabbed him as he tried to ask a question.

And marched down a hallway, repeatedly asking, why am I being detained? Not once did they tell me why. I pray you never have a moment like this. Padilla went on to urge people to continue the fight against the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration. Some Democrats have argued the aggressive tactics are fueling new waves of political violence. Claudia Riceles, NPR News, The Capitol.

Growing number of high-paying jobs no longer will require a college degree. NPR's Windsor Johnson reports they're known as new collar rules. Think cybersecurity analysts, cloud support specialists, project managers, and wind turbine technicians. Many of these jobs offer salaries of 80 to more than $100,000 a year, plus flexible hours and options to work remotely. These companies are using skills-first models, looking for hands-on experience, certifications, and problem-solving ability over academic credentials.

Tech companies, manufacturers, and clean energy firms are leading the way, offering short-term training programs instead of four-year degrees. Experts say the trend is opening new doors for job seekers, especially those priced out of college or looking for a faster path to financial stability. Windsor-Johnston, NPR News. This is NPR. Chase is hiking the cost of its popular credit card often used by people to collect travel points and rewards. The new annual fee is nearly $800 and as Chase are passing many other premium

cards by rivals like American Express. More from MPR's Alina Seljuk. The card is the Chase Sapphire Reserve, highly sought after particularly for travel rewards. Its annual fees 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 online where scores of Chase

users are posting alarmed comments and reconsidering their loyalty to the card. Alina Seluk, NPR News. And all the way, toy companies taking its case against the Trump administration's tariffs all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The company Learning Resources Inc. filing an appeal requesting the court take up the case sooner instead of letting it play out in the lower courts, arguing the tariff should not have been imposed by President Trump under an emergency order, but should instead have been approved by Congress. Companies seeking to expedite its appeal,

saying the tariffs and the uncertainty around them are taking a major toll on the company's business operations. Oil prices continue to surge as escalating tensions in the Middle East and concerns about how they could affect global supply Royal commodity markets oil rose more than 4% today to settle at 74.97 a barrel in New York I'm Jack Spear NPR news in Washington Support for NPR in the following message come from Yarle and Pamela moan Thanking the people who make public radio great every day and also those who listen