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Episode Date: June 18, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The U.S. and Iran have a preliminary agreement that extends their ceasefire by 60 days. The memo of understanding does not have Israel as a signatory. The memo calls for a halt to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon. NPR's Kerry-Khan reports from Tel Aviv, it's not clear if Israel will abide by the memo. President Trump says he sent Israel a copy of the preliminary deal that would open the Strait of Hormuz and set up further negotiations. But Iran says a major issue needs to be settled, Israel's campaign in Lebanon. Israel is fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants there and currently

occupies a large swath of the southern part of the country. While Israeli airstrikes have subsided in recent days, military officials say they are still responding to, quote, terrorist threats. Israel, which is not a party to U.S. and Iranian negotiations, says it will not leave Lebanon. on. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Gas prices are just below $4 a gallon for the first time in month. Stark contrast from the price surges that the Auto Club AAA has been posting since the U.S. Israel War with Iran stalled traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and severely disrupted oil shipments. President Trump faces the largest gap ever between people who approve of his job as president, 36 percent, compared to 59 percent of respondents who disapprove, according to,

the newest NPR PBS News mayor's poll. NPR Stephen Fowler says virtually every Democrat, about two-thirds of independence and one in five Republicans, disapprove of Trump's performance. Like previous versions of this poll, there are notable declines in different groups that help Trump get elected in 2024, Gen Z Americans, women, those with a household income below $50,000 a year. Some of these changes are within the margin of error of the poll, which was conducted last week before news of the agreement between the U.S. Iran, but it is still cratering numbers from February 2025. That's NPR Stephen Fowler reporting.

Celebrities and political dignitaries from across the U.S. and around the world have descended on Chicago's South Side for the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center. Under Sunny Skies this afternoon, former First Lady, Michelle Obama, brought members of the audience to tears. years in the crucible. And not once did you melt from the heat. Not once did you let it harden you. Instead, you used it to reveal your truest essence. Former presidents and first ladies, the Clintons, the Bushes, and Bidens were all in attendance. The Trumps are not there. This is NPR news. The immigration and custom enforcement detention. Center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz may be closing. The controversial

state-run detention center has been hailed by President Trump, but criticized by lawyers and human rights groups over its harsh conditions. For member station WUSF, Megan Bowman, reports it's unclear whether detainees removed from the facility could be returned. Immigration and customs enforcement says detainees at the facility were recently moved to other centers for their safety due to hurricane season. But those suing to close down the center, including head of the Friends of the Everglades, Eve Samples, says it's still operating. We are not accepting ICE's statements at their word. And even if all detainees have in fact been moved out, there's still concerning harm that is ongoing at the site. Talks began in May about winding down the facility, which opened during last year's

hurricane season. Attorneys returned to court this month, back to the judge who ordered the facility to close last year. That decision, was overturned on appeal. For NPR news, I'm Megan Bowman in Tampa. The Labor Department reports that the number of people in the U.S. who applied for unemployment insurance fell modestly last week. Applications for the week ending June 13th dropped by $4,000 to $226,000. Borrowing costs will remain high for now. The Federal Reserve is keeping its key interest rate as is in the range of 3.5% to 3.75%. I'm Lakshmi Singh and PR News in Washington.