NPR News: 08-03-2026 4AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman.
Why did President Trump say he delayed a major attack on Iran?
President Trump told reporters Sunday that he had a major attack planned for Iran until the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked him to hold out for negotiations. On Saturday, Trump said a deal ending the war is near, but it's not the first time he's announced a deal only to start attacking Iran again. Ariane Tabatabaghi is with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
There's the cycle that we have entered into for months now where we're seeing periods of escalation and escalatory rhetoric followed by, hey, we're very close to a deal. We're going to get there and essentially walking back the threats. So, you know, I think President Trump had overestimated how much he could achieve militarily. And I think Iran might now be overestimating what it can achieve diplomatically based on the cycle that we're in.
Oil prices have dropped after Trump said he would hold off on attacking Iran. Rent crude is the international oil standard. It fell 5% to about $83 a barrel, while the price of U.S. crude fell about 6% to $80 a barrel. For much of the spring, oil prices were above $100 a barrel. Officials in Washington state say crews are finally gaining some headway in the wildfires in and around Spokane. Some 60,000 people were forced to leave their homes because of the flames, and the fire destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses, and other structures. Republican Congressman Michael Baumgartner said Sunday that he understands the costs. We know that hundreds, if not thousands, are in a very sad and scary place right now.
Patients at a veterans hospital were among those who had to evacuate. Investors on Wall Street will get a better picture of the country's employment with the release of the latest jobs data this week, while several top companies, including McDonald's, will also post their earnings. NPR's Rafael Nam has more.
How are diplomatic talks with Gulf states described as affecting U.S.-Iran tensions?
After softer than expected job growth in June, investors would be keen to see whether that was a one-off or part of a slowing trend in the labor market. The data comes as investors are still adjusting to Kevin Walsh's tenure as the new Federal Reserve Chair. The Fed last week kept interest rates steady, even as inflation remains fairly high. A slowing labor market could further complicate the Fed's job. although there will be plenty of time to ponder things since the next policy meeting is not until September. Investors will also be eyeing earnings, including from McDonald's as well as Airbnb, which could see a boost thanks to bookings related to the World Cup. Rafael Nam, NPR News.
Asian market shares were mixed on Monday after the U.S. and Japan confirmed they had acted to prop up the value of the yen. Japan's Nikkei index lost 1.9 percent, while the Kospi in South Korea was down 4.5 percent. The Hang Seng gained six-tenths, and Taiwan's index was up seven-tenths. This is NPR News. Ohio Representative Marcy Kempter is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after a car accident as she was going to church Sunday. The 80-year-old expects to resume her normal schedule soon. Officials in Pakistan say a suicide bomber targeted an anti-militant rally in the northwestern part of that country Sunday. At least 14 people were killed, including some police officers, and that more than two dozen others were injured.
The demonstrators had gathered near a police station demanding peace when the bomb went off. Indonesian rescue officials say 236 passengers and crew were believed to be aboard a ferry that caught fire off the country's most populated island of Java Sunday. Five people died and 229 others were evacuated. Two people remain unaccounted for while authorities continue with rescue efforts. Naina Rao has more.
The Mutiara Sentosa II ferry was traveling from Indonesia's second largest city of Surabaya to the port city of Makassar when flames spread across the vessel at around 7 a.m. Sunday morning local time. Video broadcast on Indonesian television showed the ferry engulfed in smoke. Nearby commercial ships and the Indonesian Navy joined the rescue and evacuations by the National Search and Rescue Agency.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:04
2
Why did President Trump say he delayed a major attack on Iran?
0:04–1:57
3
How are diplomatic talks with Gulf states described as affecting U.S.-Iran tensions?
1:57–4:35
4
How did oil prices react after Trump announced he would hold off attacking Iran?
4:35–5:03