NPR News: 06-18-2026 3PM EDT
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What legacy is Barack Obama establishing with his new presidential center?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Former President Barack Obama is mooring his legacy to the grounds of his new presidential center. The $850 million structure towers over a 20-acre campus on Chicago's South Side. At today's dedication, a short time ago, Obama stood before a crowd of Democratic and Republican allies, including former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Biden. He says since we're just a few weeks away from the nation's 250th birthday, it is worth remembering what it took to rewrite a story from a tale of conquest.
Out of the fire and steel of a revolution, a different story took flight on this continent. A declaration that we are all created equal. endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, and that in the newly independent United States, there will be no kings or lords, no serfs or subjects, but only citizens.
President Trump is not in attendance. At a White House press briefing earlier today, Vice President J.D.
What are the implications of the U.S.-Iran war negotiation deal?
Vance defended the memorandum of understanding that President Trump has signed to negotiate an end to the war in Iran. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports Vance faced tough questions on what benefits the deal could yield and when.
Vance insisted that Iran will not receive financial rewards under the deal unless it complies with an agreement. But he was asked how that squares with allowing Iran to sell oil immediately.
We felt that it was reasonable that if we're going to allow everybody else to sell their energy during this period of negotiation, we would allow everyone to sell their energy. That's all we're doing. We can slap everything right back on if the Iranians don't make the deal that we expect.
While the White House initially said the vice president would travel on Friday to Switzerland for a ceremonial signing, Trump signed it in Versailles, France last night after the G7 summit. Vance said today he still plans to go to Switzerland but doesn't know when. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.
How is the drop in gasoline prices affecting consumers and airlines?
Motoring club AAA says the cost of regular gasoline in the United States has fallen below $4 a gallon. The price dropped 52 cents in the last month. NPR's Joel Rose says it could take a while before airline passengers see cheaper fares.
When jet fuel prices shot up this spring, airlines responded by raising ticket prices and fees. Now fuel costs are coming back to earth. The average price for a gallon of jet fuel in the U.S. dropped this week to less than $3, according to the tracking firm Argus. That's down more than $2 per gallon from the peak in April. But aviation consultant Michael Boyd says don't expect the airlines to give those price hikes back right away. If people will pay it, why would you take it back?
What recent developments have occurred in U.S. military operations in Iran?
Boyd says travelers have shown they're willing to pay higher airfares, at least so far. And airlines face rising costs across the board, including labor. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.
This is NPR News. Well, in a statement on social media, CENTCOM says U.S. forces have lifted the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas. This coming in the wake of a signing of an agreement between the U.S. and Iran to eventually end the war. New York City is celebrating in style. Big crowds lining the parade route from Battery Park to City Hall celebrating their beloved Knicks.
How did New York City celebrate the Knicks' NBA championship victory?
Team won its first NBA championship in 53 years over the weekend. Here's Steve Kastenbaum.
The skyscrapers of lower Manhattan known as the Canyon of Heroes lived up to the name. It was a sea of orange and blue, the Knicks colors. Police officials expected a record-setting crowd. They had to turn people away two hours before the start of the parade. At City Hall, Mayor Zoran Mamdani handed the team the keys to the city. New York built toward this moment ever since Saturday night when the final buzzer sounded in San Antonio and the Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973. 53 years in the making, New York finally took its victory lap. For NPR News, I'm Steve Kastenbaum at City Hall in New York.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What legacy is Barack Obama establishing with his new presidential center?
0:01–1:11
2
What are the implications of the U.S.-Iran war negotiation deal?
1:11–2:05
3
How is the drop in gasoline prices affecting consumers and airlines?
2:05–2:46
4
What recent developments have occurred in U.S. military operations in Iran?
2:46–3:32
5
How did New York City celebrate the Knicks' NBA championship victory?
3:32–4:12
6
What historic flights are planned by Qantas Airways for the future?
4:12–5:04