NPR News Now – June 17, 2025
Released June 17, 2025 | Host: NPR
President Trump Exits G7 Summit Early Amid Middle East Tensions
Timestamp: 00:19 – 02:08
NPR’s Jack Spear reports that President Donald Trump has departed the annual G7 Summit ahead of schedule, a decision announced by the White House today. Initially scheduled to engage with leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump instead chose to leave following significant developments related to the Middle East conflict.
Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, clarified on social media that Trump’s early departure was prompted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Specifically, President Trump mentioned that “Iran has indicated that it wants to de-escalate its conflict with Israel” (00:34). Contrarily, he also issued a stark warning on social media advising, “everyone should evacuate Tehran” (00:34).
During his brief time at the summit, Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with whom he signed a significant trade deal. These interactions marked the major highlights of his participation before his unexpected departure.
Violent Attack on State Lawmakers by Impersonator
Timestamp: 01:15 – 04:03
A tragic incident unfolded as Vance Belter, a 57-year-old man, is accused of killing a state lawmaker and her husband, along with wounding another lawmaker and his wife. Spear details that Belter posed as a police officer during these attacks, leading to both state and federal charges.
Belter’s modus operandi involved targeting multiple lawmakers’ residences. However, subsequent attempts were thwarted as the other lawmakers were either not present or fled upon police arrival. Belter eventually surrendered peacefully to authorities as they closed in on him.
A community leader condemned the act, stating: “Vance Bolter inflicted unimaginable harm to our community Saturday morning and he did it while impersonating the very people who are trusted to protect and serve. These violent acts strike at the heart of our democracy and the safety of those who serve the public with dedication and courage” (01:40).
Belter faces four state charges, including second-degree and attempted second-degree murder, along with six federal charges such as two counts of murder with a firearm (01:57). The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the vulnerabilities within public safety systems.
Federal Judge Rebukes NIH for Terminating 800 Research Grants
Timestamp: 02:08 – 03:08
A significant ruling emerged from a federal district court in Boston, where a judge deemed the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) termination of approximately 800 research grants as illegal. Craig Lemolt of NPR’s member station JBH explains that these grants were primarily focused on diversity, transgender issues, and other research areas previously deprioritized by the Trump administration.
Judge Lemolt criticized the NIH’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious”, ordering the agency to reinstate funding for the affected research projects (02:49). Attorney Rachel Meeropol from the ACLU, representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the discriminatory nature of the terminations, stating: “The judge went on to say the government's actions in the case amounted to racial discrimination and discrimination against the LGBTQ population, saying he's never seen anything like this in his 40 years on the bench” (02:49).
The ruling not only mandates the continuation of the halted research but also opens the door for further evidence submission regarding the harm inflicted on marginalized populations due to these discriminatory practices.
Stock Market Rises and Purdue Pharma Settlement Announced
Timestamp: 03:08 – 03:50
Wall Street showed positive movement today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 317 points and the Nasdaq rising by 294 points (03:10). This uptick reflects investor confidence amid ongoing economic adjustments.
In other financial news, Jack Spear reports that attorneys general from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four U.S. territories have agreed to a monumental $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma. This deal aims to resolve thousands of lawsuits related to OxyContin, the pain medication at the center of the nationwide opioid crisis (03:20).
The majority of the settlement funds are slated to come from the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma. Additionally, the settlement includes the transfer of control of Purdue Pharma away from the Sacklers, alongside forthcoming payouts once the company secures creditor support through its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (03:38).
Juror Dismissed in Shawn Ditty Combs Sex Trafficking Trial
Timestamp: 03:50 – 04:03
In the ongoing sixth week of the Shawn Ditty Combs sex trafficking trial, Jack Spear and Danielle Kurtzleben report that a juror has been dismissed due to inconsistencies in his responses. Known as juror number six, the 57-year-old man provided conflicting information about his residence, initially claiming to live in New York City before later suggesting he had moved to New Jersey (03:50).
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento from NPR details that the defense deemed these discrepancies minor, advocating for his retention, especially noting his status as one of the few Black jurors. However, Judge Arun Subramanian expressed concerns over the juror’s honesty, questioning whether the inconsistencies were intentional attempts to remain on the jury or signs of an inability to follow court instructions (04:00).
Ultimately, the judge ruled in favor of the prosecution, leading to the dismissal of juror number six. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks as proceedings move forward with an alternate juror replacing the dismissed individual (04:03).
Middle East Tensions Impact Oil Prices
Timestamp: 04:45 – 04:51
Amidst rising tensions between Israel and Iran, including military strikes from both nations, oil prices experienced a downturn, dropping to $71.77 per barrel (04:48). The geopolitical instability in the Middle East continues to influence global energy markets, prompting concerns over supply disruptions and economic repercussions worldwide.
Conclusion
This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a range of critical issues, from high-stakes international diplomacy and tragic domestic violence to significant legal battles and economic shifts. Notably, President Trump's early departure from the G7 Summit underscores the volatile geopolitical landscape, while domestic incidents like the attack on state lawmakers and the Purdue Pharma settlement highlight ongoing societal challenges. Additionally, the judicial ruling against the NIH and the dismissal of a juror in a high-profile trial reflect the complexities within the legal and governmental frameworks. Lastly, fluctuations in the stock market and oil prices demonstrate the interconnectedness of global events and economic stability.
Notable Quotes:
- “Iran has indicated that it wants to de-escalate its conflict with Israel.” – President Donald Trump (00:34)
- “Everyone should evacuate Tehran.” – President Donald Trump (00:34)
- “Vance Bolter inflicted unimaginable harm to our community Saturday morning and he did it while impersonating the very people who are trusted to protect and serve.” – Community Leader (01:40)
- “The judge went on to say the government's actions in the case amounted to racial discrimination and discrimination against the LGBTQ population, saying he's never seen anything like this in his 40 years on the bench.” – Craig Lemolt (02:49)
This summary was prepared for those who seek comprehensive coverage of the latest news without accessing the full podcast episode. For more detailed reporting, please visit NPR News Now.