NPR News: 06-18-2026 2PM EDT

Live from NPR News in Washington, this afternoon's update covers a 60-day ceasefire extension between the US and Iran, sharply declining approval numbers for President Trump, and the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The hour also brings word that the controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades may be winding down, while new economic data shows a modest drop in unemployment claims and the Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady.

US and Iran Reach Preliminary 60-Day Ceasefire Extension

The United States and Iran have signed a preliminary agreement extending their ceasefire by 60 days. The memo of understanding notably does not include Israel as a signatory. The deal calls for a halt to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon, and would open the Strait of Hormuz to set up further negotiations. However, a major sticking point remains unresolved: Israel's ongoing campaign in Lebanon. Israel is currently fighting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants there and occupies a large swath of the country's south. While Israeli airstrikes have subsided in recent days, military officials say they are still responding to what they describe as "terrorist threats."