NPR News Now - NPR News: 06-18-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

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Support for NPR in the following message come from the estate of Joan B. Kroc, whose bequest serves as an enduring investment in the future of public radio and seeks to help NPR produce programming that meets the highest standards of public service in journalism and cultural expression. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Trump administration officials are reported to again be meeting today amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and a continued effort by Israel to get the U.S. directly involved in a conflict there. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office today,

Trump says no decision has yet been made on whether to strike Iranian nuclear site or he requested what he said previously, repeated what he said previously about the situation. I don't want to get involved either, but I've been saying for 20 years, maybe longer, that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. I've been saying it for a long time. And I think they were a few weeks away from having one. And they had to sign a document. I think they wish they signed it now. It was a fair deal. Trump going on to say, in terms of Israeli military actions, Israel has done quote a very good job of that, but we'll see what happens. Iran's supreme leader has rejected calls for unconditional surrender.

Israel continues to strike a wide range of military targets in Iran, but as NPR's Jeff Bromfeld reports, one facility remains out of reach. Iran has set up a uranium enrichment site deep inside a mountain. It's called Fordow. David Albright is president of the Institute for Science and International Security. He says Fordow is a key part of Iran's nuclear program that Israel must strike to achieve its goals. If Fordow remains then they haven't accomplished what they set out to do. But the facility is buried beneath nearly 300 feet of rock, out of reach from Israeli weapons. The only bomb that stands a chance of getting through is a massive bunker buster owned by

the United States. It remains to be seen whether President Trump will authorize its use and the U.S. air power needed to deliver it. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order this week that would extend by another 90 days a deadline for the Chinese owner of online video sharing company TikTok to find a buyer. The administration has repeatedly said that if TikTok is not sold, it will be banned in

the U.S. White House press secretary Caroline Levitt this week says Trump does not want TikTok to go dark. The Federal Reserve has wrapped up a two-day meeting in Washington, leaving interest rates unchanged. Fed policy members also indicated, though, inflation could worsen in coming months, something that might cause the central bank to re-evaluate.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell again said any moves in the future will be driven by data. In support of our goals, today, the Federal Open Market Committee decided to leave our policy interest rate unchanged. We believe that the current stance of monetary policy leaves us well positioned to respond in a timely way to potential economic developments. There has been concern among Fed members.

President Trump's tariff policies could push up inflation. The Fed says for now though it expects two more interest rate cuts by the end of the year. On Wall Street, investors largely tre cuts by the end of the year. On Wall Street, investors largely treading water today ahead of the Fed decision. The Dow was down 44 points today. The Nasdaq rose 25 points. You're listening to NPR. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Lena Capovir for the prevention of HIV.

NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports the twice-yearly shot provides near total protection against getting an HIV infection. Last year, HIV researchers were stunned by two clinical trials that showed Lenacapivir was nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV. While existing treatments like pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP are also highly effective, they require people to take pills every day, which can be a challenge for some.

Gilead Sciences, which manufactures the new drug, set a list price of about $28,000 a year. To provide more affordable options, the company is partnering with six generic manufacturers to provide access to 120 lower-income countries. But steep cuts to foreign aid could make it harder for this powerful new drug to reach those in countries with the highest HIV burden. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

A certain black bear in Michigan is probably feeling a whole lot better at the moment. That's after wildlife experts say they were able to trap the animal and remove a large lid that had been stuck around the bear's neck for two years. According to one wildlife expert, the fact the bear survived and was able to feed itself with the lid stuck over its head was actually, quote, pretty incredible. The bear with its added accessory was first spotted on a trail camera back in 2023.

It was trapped earlier this month. The lid was successfully removed from its neck, no word on how it got there. Oil prices up for a sick, straight day as traders worry about possible supply disruptions due to Mideast turmoil, oil gained 30 cents a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from WISE, the app for doing things and other currencies. With WISE, you can send, spend, or receive money across borders all at a fair exchange rate, no markups or hidden fees.

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