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NBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Supreme Court set to make rulings and CDC vaccine committee meeting: Morning Rundown
The Supreme Court will mark its final day with rulings on several cases, including the birthright citizenship dispute. A CDC panel meeting hints at the direction of the agency under Robert F. Kennedy's leadership. And why New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's social media campaign was more effective than Kamala Harris' memes. Here's what to know today. Supreme Court set to rule on a flurry of cases on term's final day Today marks the last day of the Supreme Court's nine-month term — and that means the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, is preparing to issue rulings in six outstanding cases. Of these, the most closely watched case concerns President Donald Trump's attempt to end automatic birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. The longstanding interpretation of the provision is that anyone born on U.S. soil is an American citizen with a few minor exceptions. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The case before the Supreme Court doesn't focus on the lawfulness of the proposal itself, but rather on whether federal judges have the power to block it nationwide while litigation continues. It's a decision that could have wide-ranging impacts, as federal judges have frequently ruled against Trump's broad use of executive power. The five other cases the court has yet to rule on are: → Whether conservative religious parents can opt their elementary school-age children out of LGBTQ-themed books in class → Whether congressional districts in Louisiana are lawful → A law enacted in Texas that imposes age restrictions for using adult websites → A challenge to the Affordable Care Act's preventive care task force → A Federal Communications Commission program that subsidizes phone and internet services in underserved areas More politics news: The White House plans to limit intelligence sharing with members of Congress after an early assessment of damage caused by U.S. strikes in Iran leaked this week. Sen. Tom Cotton, the Republican chair of the Intelligence Committee, is proposing a sweeping overhaul of the intel office led by National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard that would slash its workforce by 60%. Democratic voters in Virginia will head to the polls this weekend in a special primary election to choose a new representative to succeed the late Rep. Gerry Connolly. The candidates' pitch to voters has everything to do with Trump. Former Trump lawyer Kenneth Cheseboro was disbarred in New York over his role in a scheme to overturn Trump's 2020 election loss. The Social Security Administration has hired the 19-year-old former DOGE staffer nicknamed 'Big Balls,' who the White House earlier this week said had left the Trump administration. Subscribe to Here's The Scoop, a new daily podcast from NBC News that will break down the day's top stories with our trusted journalists on the ground and around the world, all in 15 minutes or less. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and read the stories behind each episode on Republicans suffer setback on Trump's agenda bill The Senate referee ruled yesterday that a series of health care cuts and savings in the One Big Beautiful Bill for Donald Trump's agenda are ineligible for the 'budget reconciliation' process Republicans are using to get around the chamber's 60-vote threshold. The setback throws into question whether senators will be able to start voting on the bill today, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune had hoped to do, with a goal of sending legislation to President Donald Trump's desk by July 4. Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who adjudicates procedural disputes between Republicans and Democrats, has disqualified several provisions, including Medicaid rules prohibiting funds without verification of immigration status, new limitations surrounding eligibility for Affordable Care Act funding and more. The disqualified provisions total $200 billion to $300 billion in savings over a decade, one expert said. So, now what? Republican aides said the rulings aren't fatal to the overall bill. Senate Republicans will return to the drawing board on some issues and accept the outcome of revoked provisions in other cases. But some conservatives angered by MacDonough's rulings suggested she should be fired. Read the full story here. A sign of CDC's shift under RFK Jr.'s leadership A mercury-based preservative called thimerosal — which is the subject of widely debunked claims linking the ingredient to autism and hasn't been used in nearly all vaccines made in the U.S. since 2001 — was the subject of a presentation at the CDC's vaccine advisory committee meeting. The presentation over an issue that has long been considered settled science signaled how meetings of the panel have already changed drastically under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s leadership. During the meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices heard from Lyn Redwood, president emerita of the Kennedy-founded anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense about thimerosal. Afterward, the committee voted 5-1 to recommend that children, adults and pregnant women get single-dose thimerosal-free flu vaccines. A pediatrician who represented the lone dissenting vote said, 'This is an old issue that has been addressed in the past.' Medical experts who also participated in the meeting questioned the veracity of Redwood's claims. In a separate vote, the committee reaffirmed the existing recommendation that people ages 6 months and older should get annual flu shots. The committee also voted in favor of recommending an RSV drug for infants younger than 8 months. Read the full story here. A fireball seen shooting through the sky in the southeastern U.S. was confirmed to be from a meteor shower. American Vogue is set to hire a new head of editorial content, a role held by Anna Wintour for nearly 40 years. There's a new record for the fastest mile ever run by a woman, but it's 6.42 seconds short of the time Faith Kipyegon hoped to achieve. Staff Pick: Why Zohran Mamdani's online campaign was so effective While the final results won't be known for a few more days, Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old state legislator, appears to have pulled off an upset in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. I say 'upset,' because whenever a candidate's win seems like a surprise, there are almost always missed signs that victory was likely. In this story, reporters Angela Yang and Bruna Horvath explain how Mamdani's social media presence foretold his apparent primary victory. What really struck me in their reporting is not just that he had built a sizable social media following, but how he did it with substance and how he parlayed his social media virality into money, political engagement and votes. And they explain how his success online differed in key ways from the early social media success of Kamala Harris' failed presidential campaign. Ultimately, it's a nice snapshot of the character and strategic savvy of a man who could wind up running the biggest city in the country. — Richie Duchon, deputy platforms editor NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified If you're looking for an alternative to the Amazon Kindle, the NBC Select team has a roundup of the best e-readers. Plus, we have all the details on the deals to expect during this year's Target Circle Week, which runs from July 6-12 online and in stores.
NBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Israel and Iran ceasefire under strain and what to watch in New York City primary: Morning Rundown
Israel and Iran agree to a precarious truce after nearly two weeks of fighting. Voters in New York City hit the polls for the mayoral primary. And the defense in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial is not expected to call any witnesses. Here's what to know today. Israel and Iran ceasefire under strain Israel has accused Iran of what it described as a 'severe violation' of President Donald Trump's ceasefire — a charge Iran denies. Speaking to reporters early Tuesday morning, Trump acknowledged that both Iran and Israel violated the agreement and warned Israel against launching another attack on Iran in a post on Truth Social. The precarious truce was reached earlier when Israel and Iran said they had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Trump nearly two weeks after Israel first launched airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said his country had achieved "all of the objectives" of its military operations in Iran and therefore accepted the terms of the truce. Iranian state media acknowledged the start of the ceasefire early Tuesday local time. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. Trump announced a "complete and total ceasefire" on social media yesterday afternoon and said when it took effect "the war will be considered ended." In an exclusive phone interview with NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor, Trump said the ceasefire would last "forever." Asked whether the war was completely over, Trump said, "Yes. I don't believe they will ever be shooting at each other again." A diplomat briefed on the talks said the agreement was the result of negotiations by Trump, Vice President JD Vance and top Qatari officials who took the proposal to Iran. Earlier, Iran launched a retaliatory strike on the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where thousands of U.S. troops are stationed. No casualties were reported. Experts said the strike appeared to be designed to avoid triggering a massive escalation with the U.S, experts and former officials said. The 12 days of strikes between Israel and Iran have killed at least 400 people and injured 3,000 in Iran, according to the Iranian Health Ministry, while Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel have killed at least 24 people. More coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict: Trump has said his foreign policy is about ending wars, not starting new ones. But here's why he ultimately approved a strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Despite loudly criticizing the U.S. strikes, Middle Eastern leaders are likely accepting — and even privately cheering — the attack. Subscribe to Here's The Scoop, a new daily podcast from NBC News that will break down the day's top stories with our trusted journalists on the ground and around the world, all in 15 minutes or less. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and read the stories behind each episode on New York City mayoral primary full of unknowns It's Election Day in New York City, where voters will cast ballots in the mayoral primaries. It's possible there won't be a clear conclusion at the end of the night about who will appear on the final ballot in November for a couple of reasons: first, the city's use of ranked choice voting means it'll take longer to count the ballots; and second, it's possible a Democratic runner-up will run in the general election on a different party's ballot line. However, we do know that whoever prevails in this election will be up against Mayor Eric Adams, who is running for re-election in the fall as an independent, and Curtis Silwa, who is running unopposed as the Republican nominee. There are 11 candidates on today's ballot, including frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, the former governor on a comeback tour. His competitors have rallied around 'Don't rank Cuomo' slogan that encourages voters to leave him off the ballot regardless of which alternative candidates they prefer. Other candidates to watch for include progressive state legislator Zohran Mamdani, who has seen a late rise in the contest, and City Comptroller Brad Lander, whose arrest last week while advocating for defendants in immigration court could also give him a late surge. Here's what else to watch in the contest. Heading into election day, NBC News and MSNBC data guru Steve Kornacki breaks down what the final polls have to say about the race. Read the full analysis here. More politics news: A Supreme Court ruling now makes it easier for the Trump administration to deport convicted criminals to 'third countries' to which they have no previous connection. Senate Democrats forced the removal of a provision in the Trump agenda bill that sought to restrict the power of courts to block federal government policies. Democrats will select a new House Oversight Committee leader today in a competitive four-way race that has broken down along generational lines. Sean Combs' defense won't call witnesses in federal trial Federal prosecutors in music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial are expected to rest their case today, and his defense team intends to offer no witnesses of its own — a move that is unexpected but not unusual, legal experts say. 'So what you may hear the defense counsel say during closing arguments is that the prosecution's witnesses 'made our case. We didn't have a burden to prove our case, and the cross-examination of their witnesses makes it clear that we're right and they're wrong,'' said Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor for the District of New Jersey who now practices criminal defense in New York. Not calling Combs to the stand in his own defense is another strategy his team is betting will pay off, said Mark Zauderer, a veteran trial and appellate lawyer in New York. Over the past few weeks, prosecutors have argued and called witnesses in their efforts to convince jurors that Combs engaged in racketeering conspiracy and other crimes. Combs has pleaded not guilty. Three women have testified against Combs, including his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura. Meanwhile, key testimony from rapper Kid Cudi, a former personal assistant and another former employee of Combs may have advanced prosecutors' case, experts say. The country's largest health insurers have promised to take steps to streamline the prior authorization process, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. How do killer whales make their skincare tools? With a little kelp from their friends. Cooper Flagg is the likely No. 1 pick in this week's NBA draft. Those who know the 18-year-old aren't surprised. Staff Pick: For many diaspora Iranians around the world, the war between Israel and Iran has raised complicated feelings of grief and anxiety alongside bits of hope. I spoke to Iranians across the U.S., U.K. and Israel whose families fled Iran to escape oppression from the regime that took power in 1979. They expressed that while many Iranians in the country and abroad dare to hope for the regime's collapse, there's also an overwhelming sense of fear around civilian casualties and the uncertainties of foreign intervention. — Angela Yang, culture & trends reporter When people think of New York, many don't imagine sailboats. But in the Bronx, you can rent boats for free all summer — and they're constructed by city kids. For nearly three decades, the afterschool program Rocking the Boat has been teaching Bronx teens how to build, shape and sand wooden boats. The students also get college counseling and summer job opportunities. See how these Bronx students are building boats and self-confidence. NBCU Academy is a free, award-winning education program for developing new skills and advancing careers in journalism, media and tech. NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Are plastic cutting boards useful kitchen tools or a breeding ground for microplastics? NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin slices through the chatter to learn the answer, then shares some alternatives to plastic cutting boards. And are leggings able to depuff and smooth skin? Here's how lymphatic drainage leggings work.
NBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Trump weighs Iran action and appeals court rules on California National Guard: Morning Rundown
Donald Trump said he would decide whether the U.S. should take action in Iran within two weeks. An appeals court ruled the deployment of California National Guard troops was within the president's rights. And the parents who were jailed in their 7-year-old son's traffic death speak out from jail. Here's what to know today. Trump weighs potential action in Iran with small circle of advisers President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the U.S. should get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, the White House said yesterday. This is "based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future," he said in a message read to reporters in the White House by press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister is set to hold talks in Geneva today with his counterparts from the U.K., France and Germany. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, won't be in attendance. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. As he weighs what to do, Trump is increasingly relying on a small group of advisers for critical input, according to two defense officials and a senior administration official. While the president routinely asks a broader group of people what they think he should do, including officials in his own administration as well as foreign leaders and contacts outside the government, Trump tends to make many decisions with just a handful of people. That includes Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump also leans on Witkoff when he weighs decisions that fall under his portfolio, an official said. But the president has sidelined National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and has not been routinely turning to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to two defense officials and a senior administration official. A Defense Department spokesperson denied the assertion about Hegseth. More coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict: Israel's Air Force and Navy have successfully intercepted hundreds of missiles launched toward the country, military officials say. And key buildings at an Iranian heavy water reactor were damaged, a U.N. nuclear watchdog said. Follow our live blog for the latest updates. Entire neighborhoods in Tehran are emptying out amid the barrage of missiles, and residents who remain in Iran's capital are mostly staying indoors. Appeals court backs California National Guard deployment An appeals court ruled that Trump is within his rights to deploy the California National Guard amid immigration protests in Los Angeles, allowing the president to keep control of the troops. The ruling last night from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined the federal government made a required 'strong showing' in arguing it would prevail against California's challenge to the legality of the deployment of troops usually under the governor's control. However, the court said it disagreed with the administration's stance that the federalization of National Guard Troops is 'completely insulated from judicial review.' Read the full story here. Earlier Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers said it blocked federal immigration agents from entering their stadium after agents 'requested permission to access the parking lots.' ICE responded to the Dodgers on social media, saying, 'False. We were never there.' But a source familiar with Dodgers operations said that after the agents were denied entry E, they processed multiple detainees just outside the ballpark. Meanwhile, demonstrators outside the stadium's gates, including a Los Angeles City Council member, held signs and chanted 'ICE out of L.A.' More immigration news: 'Border czar' Tom Homan said the Trump administration will keep conducting immigration raids at worksites, including farms and hotels, but that criminals will be prioritized. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from forcing 20 Democratic-led states to cooperate with immigration enforcement in order to receive billions of dollars in transportation funding. Latino Trump voters who participated in focus groups observed by NBC News said they approve of Trump's handling of illegal immigration, and most approved of his actions broadly as president. But a small divide is emerging among these voters over how deportations are being carried out. Surgeon's UnitedHealthcare clash shows insurer's hardball tactics When Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealthcare experienced a massive hack in February 2024, the subsidiary shuttered its systems and halted all reimbursements owed to hospitals and doctors. To help medical providers stay afloat, Optum, another UnitedHealth subsidiary that includes a bank, began offering 'temporary' no-interest loans. Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Catherine Mazzola was among those tapping into the program and her practice in New Jersey received $535,000, documents show. Mazzola's practice began repaying the loans, but in January of this year, Optum demanded that it repay the money in full and within five business days. Mazzola pleaded for more time, but by mid-February, she stopped receiving reimbursements. Months later, she learned UnitedHealthcare had drawn up reimbursement checks payable to her practice and then deposited those checks into its own bank account, records shared with NBC News show. Her case sheds light on something few patients know about: the behind-the-scenes battles doctors say they must wage with insurers over reimbursements and the increasingly aggressive tactics taken by huge payers like UnitedHealthcare. Mazzola, as well as other doctors who spoke to senior financial reporter Gretchen Morgenson, said they were never reimbursed for many claims, and some say they are out millions as a result. On top of that, patients were hurt by the hack, too. Read the full story here. Singer Chris Brown has pleaded not guilty to a charge in connection with an alleged 2023 London nightclub attack and will face trial later this year. Brown appeared in person at London's Southwark Crown to enter a not guilty plea to one count of attempting to cause "grievous bodily harm" in connection with a February 2023 altercation, where he allegedly attacked a music producer with a bottle. Brown is also charged with one count of assault and one count of possessing an offensive weapon and will enter pleas on those charges at a later hearing. Omololu Akinlolu, an American rapper who performs under the name 'Hoody Baby,' also pleaded not guilty to the same charge of attempting to cause 'grievous bodily harm.' Akinlolu and Brown are both accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in London's upmarket Mayfair district. Brown, 36, faces a possible prison sentence of between two and 16 years if he is convicted. Read the full story here. Read All About It Trump extended a potential TikTok ban by another 90 days, until Sept. 17, to give parent company ByteDance more time to find an American owner. The NBA Finals are going to Game 7 for the first time since 2016 after the Indiana Pacers staved off elimination and won 108-91 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A 9-year-old Florida girl who is recovering from surgery after a shark nearly bit her hand off recalled the attack: 'I didn't see anything. … something hard bit me.' Some ready-to-eat fettuccine Alfredo meals sold at Walmart and Kroger were voluntarily recalled after a listeria outbreak linked to three deaths and 17 illnesses. Earlier this month, NBC BLK reporter Curtis Bunn wrote about a child whose parents were arrested after he accidentally stepped out into traffic and was fatally struck by a car. Curtis's initial reporting raised more questions, so we knew we needed to find out more. After Curtis made contact with the family, he headed to North Carolina to spend time with people who were both grieving the loss of a bright 7-year-old family member and advocating for the child's parents, who are in jail and face multiple charges in his death. (The unnamed 76-year-old woman who hit the child has not been charged.) In addition to the faithful grandparents, aunties and friends who are stepping up to care for the couple's remaining six children, Curtis spoke with the two parents trying to be strong for their family from behind bars. — Michelle Garcia, NBC BLK editorial director NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Talking Shop is an NBC Select series where we talk to interesting people about their most interesting buys. We recently spoke with prima ballerina Tiler Peck about her favorite facial cleanser, protein bars, hairspray and much more. Plus, the NBC Select team asked dermatologists about the best UPF clothing, which adds a layer of defense against UV rays, for the whole family. here.
NBC News
19-06-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Trump considers Israel-Iran conflict and Karen Read found not guilty of murder: Morning Rundown
Donald Trump weighs how to act in the conflict between Israel and Iran but without his national intelligence director. Karen Read's retrial ends dramatically. And OKC Thunder fans' bond with the team is unlike most other pro sports fandoms. Here's what to know today. Iranian missile strike hits Israeli hospital An Iranian ballistic missile hit a hospital in southern Israel, causing 'extensive damage in several areas,' Israeli officials said. The old surgical building at Soroka Medical Center in the city of Beersheba suffered 'a significant impact,' a spokesperson said, adding that several people were being treated for mild injuries. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the strike. Herzog said the hospital has a record of 'caring for Israelis of all faiths and our neighbors the Palestinians who come especially to be treated there.' 'I send strength and support to the medical teams, to the patients, and to the residents of Be'er Sheva and all cities attacked across Israel this morning,' he said. 'In moments like these, we are reminded of what's truly at stake, and the values we are defending.' Meanwhile, Israel said the targets of its overnight attacks included Iran's Arak nuclear reactor and a nuclear weapons development site in the Natanz area. Iran's Arak nuclear reactor was under construction and not operational, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said, and 'contained no nuclear material, so no radiological effects.' 'The strike targeted the component intended for plutonium production, in order to prevent the reactor from being restored and used for nuclear weapons development,' the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. Trump said he has not made up his mind about whether to launch an airstrike on an Iranian nuclear facility, saying that Iran wants to re-start negotiations after being battered by Israeli airstrikes, which Iran denied. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, who has been an outspoken critic of past U.S. military interventions abroad, has been largely sidelined in discussions on Iran. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest Iran is close to creating a nuclear weapon, but the U.S. assessment of Iran's nuclear program hasn't changed since in months, sources say. Media personality Tucker Carlson clashed with Sen. Ted Cruz in an interview in which Cruz was unable to answer questions about Iran. Karen Read found not guilty of murder Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder over the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in a retrial after her first widely watched trial ended in a hung jury. The jury also acquitted Read on two lesser charges — motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision that caused the death of O'Keefe. But Read was convicted of operating under the influence of liquor and sentenced to one year of probation. Cheers erupted among the dozens of Read supporters positioned across the street. Outside the courthouse, she thanked those who she said had provided financial and emotional support. 'No one has fought harder for justice for John O'Keefe than I have,' she said. Several people who knew O'Keefe released a statement calling the result a 'devastating miscarriage of justice' and accusing Read's team of pushing 'lies and conspiracy theories.' Read the full story here. Meanwhile, Michael Proctor, the former Massachusetts state trooper who was fired over his conduct in the case, told 'Dateline' that accusations that he's corrupt and helped frame her are 'ridiculous.' Raw milk advocates wonder: Where is Kennedy? In February, shortly after Robert F. Kennedy was confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary, Mark McAfee said he received a text message from Kennedy. McAfee, one of the country's leading raw milk producers, had been in close touch with Kennedy's presidential running mate, Nicole Shanahan, and he expected to advise Kennedy's department on ways to support raw milk farmer, expand access to consumers and reverse the federal government's official stance that raw milk is too risky to consume. After all, Kennedy is a self-professed avid raw milk fan. But there has been silence since that February text, McAfee said, and a recent report on children's health titled 'The MAHA Report' — a reference to Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again campaign — stressed the importance of whole milk and other unprocessed foods but made no mention of raw milk. The FDA's stance that 'raw milk puts all consumers at risk' because of potential contamination hasn't been changed or updated, nor has the federal ban on selling it across state lines. Kennedy's seeming inaction on the issue so far has frustrated and concerned raw milk advocates who believe the risks of consuming it have been overstated and the health and nutritional benefits undersold. But they haven't given up on him yet. Some of the seven Senate Democrats who voted to confirm Kristi Noem to lead the Homeland Security Department are critical of her actions so far, with some saying they regret their votes. Trump hopes to carry out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, but his new criteria stripping protections from some is expected to significantly expand the pool of undocumented immigrants. Read All About It Hurricane Erick is set to make landfall as a Category 4 storm near southern Mexico's Pacific coast. The Buss family, which has run the Los Angeles Lakers for 46 years, is selling a majority stake in the iconic NBA franchise at a valuation of $10 billion. A cardiac arrest was reported at the home of celebrity chef Anne Burrell, who died this week, the New York City Fire Department said. The FDA approved a new HIV-prevention medication that was shown in clinical trials to have eliminated the virus' spread among people given an injection every six months. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have secured a 400% raise after a Netflix docuseries raised questions about their pay. Staff Pick: Thunder fans aren't like other fans What makes the Oklahoma City Thunder one of the NBA's most fascinating teams isn't that they can clinch the franchise's first championship tonight. It's that the team's bond with its city is one of the most unique in all of professional sports. The Thunder's general manager texts with the mayor. Fans cheer late-night arrivals at the airport and overwhelmingly devote taxpayer money for the team. In downtown Oklahoma City, window paintings in the team's orange and blue colors are everywhere. The Thunder, meanwhile, require all new players and staff to take a city history lesson. This city wants a championship. But they'll love the Thunder, regardless of what happens. — Andrew Greif, sports reporter NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified NBC Select editors share their favorite phone cases including thin cases, ones with straps or ultra durable opens for people who prefer more protection. Plus, here's a step-by-step guide to getting rid of fleas on your pets and in your home.
NBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Interest rates unlikely to change and Sabrina Carpenter album sparks debate: Morning Rundown
Experts say the attacks on Iran are unlikely to lead to a regime change. The Federal Reserve will decide whether to change interest rates or keep them the same. And pop star Sabrina Carpenter's new album cover sparks scrutiny and debate. Here's what to know today. Israeli assault could fuel power struggles in the Iranian regime President Donald Trump is considering options including a possible U.S. strike on Iran, multiple current and former administration officials said after he met yesterday with his national security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss the conflict between Israel and Iran. Trump also called on Iran to surrender unconditionally and appeared to show solidarity with Israel in posts on social media/ 'We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,' one read, referring to the U.S. and Israel. This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country's assault could trigger the collapse of the Iranian regime and open the door to a popular uprising. But scholars who study Iran, as well as former U.S. and Israeli officials, say that scenario is unlikely. There are a few factors: → First, Iranian opponents of the regime have mixed reactions to the Israeli strikes. Given the country's bitter experience with foreign meddling, distrust of outside powers is pervasive. Several days into the conflict, "we still see no sign of a popular uprising against the government," one expert said. Another noted, "Iranians are very well understood to resent their government... but they are also fiercely nationalistic." → While a popular uprising is unlikely, 'it is possible that Iran witnesses an elite coup,' an associate fellow at the London think tank Chatham House said. The Israeli assault has exposed widespread vulnerabilities in Iran's security and military establishment, which could fuel power struggles and possible defections. A coup from within the regime might produce an even more authoritarian result, experts said. Regardless, the Iranian government is struggling to cope with the attacks. Even if Israel's onslaught does not topple the regime, it could inflict permanent damage. More coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict: Israel said it struck uranium enrichment sites in Iran early Wednesday, and Iran plunged into a near-total internet blackout the day before. Follow our live blog for updates. Iranians are desperate to flee Tehran amid Israeli bombardments, but with roads and highways jammed, some are unsure if they'll be able to make it out. An emerging coalition that includes some of Trump's most fervent supporters and progressive Democrats is raising alarm about the possibility of the U.S. taking an active role in the conflict. The action in the Middle East and Trump's early departure from the G7 summit in Canada suggest that global crises are piling up in ways that are impacting other parts of his agenda. Federal Reserve likely to keep interest rates the same The Federal Reserve is expected to leave interest rates unchanged at its meeting today as it continues to assess the impact of Trump's tariffs and focus on clamping down on inflation. If so, the announcement likely won't sit well with Trump, who has called for lower rates and asserted there is no inflation. But retail spending is down, and the president's on-again, off-again tariffs rollout has left businesses and consumers in limbo. The Fed is also keeping an eye on ongoing signs that the job market is slowing down. Last week, filings for unemployment insurance climbed to just short of 2 million, the most since November 2021, and hiring rates remain at lows not seen in more than a decade. Read the full story here. New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was released hours after his arrest at an immigration court yesterday. Lander — who was at the federal courthouse with his wife to serve as advocates for defendants in immigration court — was 'taken by masked agents' and detained by ICE after 'escorting a defendant' out of court, Lander's press secretary said. The Department of Homeland Security said they arrested Lander for 'assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.' But Lander said after his release that he did not assault law enforcement and criticized the Trump administration. 'We are not going to let Donald Trump wreck the rule of law, to deny people due process, and to turn our country into something that doesn't meet its obligation under international law,' he said. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said after Lander's release that any charges against Lander were dropped 'to my knowledge' and he 'walks out of there a free man.' Read the full story here. More politics news: Trump reopened arrests of immigrant workers at hotels, restaurants and agricultural businesses, backtracking on comments suggesting he wouldn't target people in those industries. The Senate passed a landmark cryptocurrency bill that would establish the first regulatory framework for issuers of stablecoins, sending the legislation to the House. Trump plans to sign an executive order that allows TikTok to keep running in the U.S., extending the deadline for its owner to find a non-Chinese buyer. Supreme Court justices' financial disclosure reports for 2024 show Ketanji Brown Jackson earned more than $2 million from the publisher of her memoir, while Neil Gorsuch reported a $250,000 advance for a book he co-authored. Read All About It A review of RFK Jr.'s picks to serve on the vaccine advisory panel that makes recommendations to the CDC found that many members lack specific expertise in vaccine science or policy. The Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup after a 5-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6. Seven California men were charged and accused of stealing roughly $100 million in gold, diamonds, rubies and more in what federal prosecutors called the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history. The baby of a brain-dead pregnant woman who was being kept alive by ventilators under Georgia's abortion law was delivered, her family said. An actor and screenwriter has accused media mogul Tyler Perry of repeatedly making unwanted advances and seeking to cover up alleged sexual assault with an offer to develop a TV show. Anne Burrell, a Food Network star and 'Worst Cooks in America' host, has died at the age of 55. Sabrina Carpenter's new single 'Manchild' is a hit, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. But unlike the song, the cover photo for her upcoming album, 'Man's Best Friend' is getting mixed reviews. Online discussions about the cover, which shows Carpenter on all fours while someone just out of frame pulls her hair like a leash, have dominated platforms like Reddit, TikTok, X and Instagram ever since its reveal. Some call it a harmless satire, and others assert the image is regressive for women — even bordering on glorifying domestic violence. I wanted to explore not only why the album cover has struck such a nerve, and if female artists could toy with concepts like the male gaze without reinforcing traditional gender roles. — Kalhan Rosenblatt, internet culture reporter NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Hearing the buzz of a pesky mosquito or spotting gnats near a pile of fruits is a common summertime issue. The NBC Select team asked experts to recommend the best products for making your place completely bugproof. Plus, a popular portable phone charger from Anker was just recalled. Here's how to tell if yours is impacted.
