NPR News Now - NPR News: 06-18-2025 7AM EDT

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korova Kuhlman. 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, quote, we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. The U.S. 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. They have menaced that region and the world now for 50 years, and it's high time that

that stopped. 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. Iran's supreme leader has spoken publicly today. He warned that if the U.S. strikes, there will be serious, irreparable consequences. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are considering adjusting the multi-trillion-dollar tax cut

and spending bill backed by President Trump. But NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports new Senate provisions are setting up a collision course with the House. 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. 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 Sprint and Peer News, Washington. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has released a more detailed analysis of the proposed measure. The CBO says it would increase U.S. deficits by $2.8 trillion over the next decade. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent 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. And Piers Alina Seljuk reports it applies to a premium card often used by people to collect travel points and rewards. 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. Alina Seluk, NPR News. 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. 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, and PR Stephen Thompson has more. 2024 gave pop fans a crowded race for the year's unofficial Song of the Summer, as major stars and new faces flooded the market 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. Oh my my, you're taking me off the ordinary This week, the song of the summer sweepstakes finally gets a rowdy pop contender,

Sabrina Carpenter's Man Child. Man Child. Man Child Man Child is off to a good start. It debuts on this week's Billboard Hot 100 at number one. Stephen Thompson, NPR News. And I'm Koriva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.