NPR News: 06-13-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 13, 2025, 6AM EDT Episode

Israel Strikes Iran, Killing Top Military Commanders

Timestamp: [00:18]

In a significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, Israel launched a military strike overnight targeting Iran. The attack resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking Iranian military commanders, marking a substantial blow to Iran's military hierarchy.

Details of the Attack

NPR's Hadil El Shalchi reported, "The killing of Brigadier General Mohammad Baghri delivered a major blow to Iran's military chain of command" ([00:32]). Brigadier General Baghri, the commander-in-chief of Iran's military, was identified as a key casualty. Additionally, General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, was also killed in the strikes, as confirmed by both Iranian state media and the Israeli military.

Reactions and International Response

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded sternly, stating, "Israel should anticipate a harsh punishment" ([00:32]). The U.S. State Department characterized the strikes as "a unilateral action," noting that Israel had advised the United States prior to executing the attacks.

President Trump’s Deployment of National Guard to Los Angeles Faces Legal Hurdles

Timestamp: [01:14]

President Donald Trump exercised his authority to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles to support immigration enforcement actions. This move prompted legal challenges from California officials.

Court Rulings and Appeals

Steve Futterman reported from Los Angeles, explaining, "District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that control of National Guard troops in Los Angeles must revert back to California Governor Gavin Newsom" ([01:38]). Judge Breyer deemed Trump's deployment illegal, asserting it exceeded his authority. Although the initial ruling blocked Trump's action, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay, effectively restoring the President's power to deploy the troops pending further review.

Political Commentary

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the administration's actions, stating, "We push back against overreach. We push back against these authoritarian tendencies" ([02:03]). Trump defended his decision by claiming he was attempting to suppress a rebellion. However, Judge Breyer dismissed this justification, noting, "the protests in LA fall far short of a rebellion" ([02:09]).

Tensions Between Homeland Security and Senator Alex Padilla

Timestamp: [02:23]

During a heated news conference, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Senator Alex Padilla of disrupting her remarks on immigration raids. Noem asserted, "If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers" ([02:46]).

Incident Details

However, multiple recordings of the incident reveal that Senator Padilla identified himself before being removed by federal agents, contradicting Noem's claim that he never identified himself.

Tragic Air India Jet Crash in Western India

Timestamp: [03:02]

A catastrophic crash involving an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner resulted in the deaths of 241 individuals, with only one passenger surviving. The aircraft sank moments after takeoff, striking nearby buildings, including a medical college, which led to additional casualties on the ground.

Survivor Status

Authorities have confirmed that the sole survivor does not have life-threatening injuries, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.

Harvey Weinstein’s Sexual Assault Trial Ends with Mixed Verdict

Timestamp: [03:57]

The long-awaited trial of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein concluded with a nuanced outcome. Weinstein faced multiple charges of sexual assault and rape.

Trial Outcomes

Ilya Maritz reported, "The mistrial was on the count of rape in the third degree. In his first trial in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of the same charge, but this time the fractious jury could not reach a verdict" ([03:57]). The jury foreman cited feeling "physically unsafe" during deliberations, leading to the mistrial.

Future Proceedings

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg stated he is prepared to retry Weinstein on the rape charge. Weinstein's defense expressed confidence, asserting, "We are left with single conviction, one we firmly believe will not stand due to gross juror misconduct" ([03:57]). It's noteworthy that Weinstein’s initial New York conviction was overturned last year on procedural grounds, and he also holds a sex crimes conviction in California.

Severe Weather Leads to Fatal Flooding in Central U.S.

Timestamp: [04:34]

Severe storm systems are causing significant flooding across the central United States, particularly impacting the lower Mississippi Valley. Heavy rains and storms have exacerbated existing flood conditions, especially in San Antonio, Texas.

Impact and Casualties

The extreme weather resulted in the deaths of five individuals as multiple vehicles were swept into a creek in San Antonio yesterday morning. Authorities continue to monitor and respond to the unfolding situation, emphasizing the need for preparedness in affected areas.

---

This summary encapsulates the key moments and developments from the NPR News Now episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the broadcast. Notable quotes are attributed with precise timestamps to highlight critical statements made by key figures.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Sierra Business Connections. Start with a conversation. Sierra is the AI platform for building better, more human customer experiences. Fast answers with no canned responses, hold music or frustration. Visit Sierra AI to learn more.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Israel launched an attack overnight against Iran. Israel's military and Iranian state media report this has killed two top Iranian military commanders. And NPR's Hadil El Shelchi reports.

[Hadil El Shalchi]

The killing of Brigadier General Mohammad Baghri delivered a major blow to Iran's military chain of command. Baghd was the commander in chief of Iran's military and the second highest commander after the supreme leader. He was killed in Israeli strikes, according to Iran's state media and the Israeli military. The commander in chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, was also killed in strikes, according to the Israeli military and Iran state media. In a statement, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Israel should, quote, anticipate a harsh punishment. The US State Department said that Israel's strikes were a unilateral action, but that Israel had advised the US about the attacks. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump continues to retain the power to put National Guard troops in Los Angeles. He deployed the military to support immigration enforcement actions. California officials sued him and a federal district court judge agreed, thus blocking Trump. But but later, a federal appeals court stepped in, blocking the lower court order and restoring the power to the president. From Los Angeles, Steve Futterman explains how the case started.

[Steve Futterman]

Earlier, District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that control of National Guard troops in Los Angeles must revert back to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The order was set to take effect at noon, but the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay, delaying the order so it can review the case. In his ruling, Breyer said Trump's actions were illegal, exceeding his authority. Newsom says he expects the ruling to be upheld.

[Kristi Noem]

We push back against overreach. We push back against these authoritarian tendencies.

[Steve Futterman]

Trump claimed his action was legal because he was trying to suppress a rebellion. The judge had rejected the argument, saying the protests in LA fall far short of a rebellion. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Korva Coleman]

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blames California Senator Alex Padilla for interrupting her news conference yesterday. She and Padilla were both in the same building in Los Angeles. She was talking about immigration raids. Padilla said he moved toward Nome to ask a question when he was forcibly removed from the room by federal agents forced to the ground and then handcuffed. Padilla had a warning.

[Kristi Noem]

If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers.

[Korva Coleman]

But Secretary Noem says it was Senator Padilla who lunged toward her during the news conference. She says he never identified himself. Several recordings of the incident show Padilla identifying himself in the room before he is taken away. This is npr. There is only one survivor from yesterday's massive crash of an Air India jet in western India. 241 other people on the plane perished when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner sank only seconds after takeoff. It crashed into buildings from a medical college. People on the ground were also killed. Authorities say the passenger who survived does not have life threatening injuries. The New York sexual assault trial against former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein has ended with a mixed outcome. Ilya Merritts reports. Weinstein was convicted on one count, acquitted on another, and a mistrial has been declared on a third charge.

[Ilya Maritz]

The mistrial was on the count of rape in the third degree. In his first trial in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of the same charge, but this time the fractious jury could not reach a verdict. The jury foreman told the court he felt physically unsafe. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said he is ready to try Weinstein again on the rape charge. A Weinstein spokesman wrote in a statement, quote, we are left with single conviction, one we firmly believe will not stand due to gross juror misconduct. Weinstein's first New York conviction was overturned last year on procedural grounds. He also has a sex crimes conviction in California. For NPR News, I'm Ilya Maritz.

[Korva Coleman]

There's stormy weather over the central U.S. this morning. Weather forecasters say some areas could receive considerable flooding into the lower Mississippi Valley. Heavy storms caused more flooding in San Antonio, Texas, yesterday. Five people were killed. Several vehicles were swept across a road and into a creek yesterday morning. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.