NPR News: 06-16-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 17, 2025

Host: Jack Spear
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. Israel Achieves Air Supremacy Over Iran Amid Ongoing Missile Strikes

Timestamp: 00:14 – 01:12

NPR's Greg Myhre reports that on the fourth day of its military offensive, Israel has declared full air supremacy over Iran's capital, Tehran. Israeli warplanes have systematically dismantled Iran’s air defenses, enabling extensive bombing raids targeting military installations and nuclear sites across the country. Despite these advancements, Iran continues to launch nightly ballistic missile attacks against Israel. Some of these missiles are breaching Israel's defense systems, resulting in casualties and property damage.

Greg Myhre states, "Israel says it hasn't lost a single plane. However, Iran is still firing ballistic missiles at Israel nightly, and a small number are breaking through Israel's defensive shield, causing deaths and damage" (00:31). Israel is bolstered by support from U.S. naval and air assets dedicated to intercepting the incoming Iranian weaponry.

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2. President Trump Exits G7 Summit Amid Middle East Tensions and Minnesota Violence Investigation

Timestamp: 01:12 – 02:07

President Donald Trump has abruptly departed the Group of Seven (G7) summit, citing escalating issues related to the Israel-Iran conflict. Concurrently, investigators are scrutinizing multiple notebooks from Vance Belter, recently arrested in connection with politically motivated violence in Minnesota. The writings reveal names of numerous Democratic officials and abortion rights advocates.

Fred Clarkson from Political Research Associates explains, "Videos of Vance Belter sermonizing in Africa and his reported connection to the Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas suggest that Belter may be involved with a new apostolic reformation" (01:35). This movement, known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), is described as a decentralized, neo-charismatic movement aiming to establish Old Testament-based governance globally.

Odette Youssef adds, "There's been a decided uptick in the rhetoric and vision of violence in the United States from apostolic leaders for some time" (01:58). Clarkson further notes the involvement of some NAR leaders in inciting Trump’s base leading up to the January 6th Capitol attack, highlighting the movement's growing influence in fostering divisive and violent rhetoric.

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3. Dr. Salvador Plasencia to Plead Guilty in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case

Timestamp: 02:18 – 03:07

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of the physicians accused of supplying actor Matthew Perry with the anesthetic drug ketamine, has agreed to plead guilty. NPR's Steve Futterman reports that Plasencia, along with four others, was implicated in a scheme to profit from Perry’s known substance abuse issues. The U.S. Attorney Martine Estrada remarked, "These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being" (02:25). Plasencia faces four counts of ketamine distribution, carrying a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison.

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4. Wall Street Gains and Maui Wildfire Evacuations

Timestamp: 03:07 – 04:32

Stock Market Update:
Wall Street closed higher with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 317 points, signaling positive investor sentiment.

Maui Wildfire:
A rapidly spreading wildfire on Maui has led to the evacuation of approximately 100 homes. The fire, ignited opposite the area devastated by a deadly Lahaina fire two years prior, has consumed over 330 acres. While containment efforts are underway, no major injuries or significant structural damages have been reported.

Catholic Church Affiliation in America:
A new Pew Research report reveals that nearly half of all Americans have some connection to the Catholic Church. NPR's Jason DeRose elaborates that only 20% identify as Catholic, while an additional 9% consider themselves culturally Catholic, and another 9% have familial ties to the church (03:54). The report highlights that 70% of respondents value a personal relationship with Jesus, 50% are devoted to Mary, and just under half prioritize helping the poor or receiving the Eucharist. However, fewer Catholics view opposing abortion, caring for immigrants, or active parish membership as essential to their faith.

Odette Youssef adds context to the findings, explaining that these affiliations do not always translate to adherence to church teachings, reflecting a diverse range of personal beliefs within the Catholic community.

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5. Passing of Leonard Lowder, Esteemed Philanthropist and Cosmetics Mogul

Timestamp: 04:32 – 04:54

Leonard Lowder, a 92-year-old philanthropist and the eldest son of Este and Joseph H. Lowder—the founders of a global cosmetics empire established in 1946—has passed away. Leonard joined the family business in 1958 and was instrumental in expanding it into an international brand. His legacy includes significant philanthropic contributions and the growth of a beloved family-run enterprise.

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Note: Advertisements from Capital One and Mint Mobile were omitted from this summary as per guidelines.

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Key Quotes with Attributions:

• "Israel says it hasn't lost a single plane. However, Iran is still firing ballistic missiles at Israel nightly, and a small number are breaking through Israel's defensive shield, causing deaths and damage." — Greg Myhre (00:31)

• "Videos of Vance Belter sermonizing in Africa and his reported connection to the Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas suggest that Belter may be involved with a new apostolic reformation." — Fred Clarkson (01:35)

• "There's been a decided uptick in the rhetoric and vision of violence in the United States from apostolic leaders for some time." — Odette Youssef (01:58)

• "These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being." — Martine Estrada, U.S. Attorney (02:25)

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode aired on June 17, 2025, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the latest news developments.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. On the fourth day of its offensive, Israel says it has achieved control of the skies over Iran. But as NPR's Greg Myhre reports, Israel has not been able to suppress heavy missile strikes coming from Iran.

[Greg Myhre]

Israel's military says it's achieved full air supremacy over Iran's capital, Tehran, and is also striking at many other sites throughout the country. Israeli warplanes have dismantled Iran's air defenses, clearing the way for hundreds of bombing raids against military targets and nuclear sites. Israel says it hasn't lost a single plane. However, Iran is still firing ballistic missiles at Israel nightly, and a small number are breaking through Israel's defensive shield, causing deaths and damage. Israel is receiving help from from U.S. ships and planes that are part of the effort to shoot down the incoming Iranian weapons. Greg Myrey, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

President Donald Trump, meanwhile, is abruptly leaving the Group of Seven summit due to the problems in Israel and Iran. Investigators are looking through numerous notebooks belonging to the man arrested in connection with targeted political violence in Minnesota over the weekend. They say Vance Belter's writings included the names of dozens of Democratic officials and abortion rights supporters. NPR's Odette Youssef reports.

[Fred Clarkson]

Videos of Vance Belter sermonizing in Africa and his reported connection to the Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas suggest that Belter may be involved with a new apostolic reformation. NAR is a decentralized neocarismatic movement that seeks to establish top down Old Testament biblical governance across the globe. Fred Clarkson is with Political Research Associates.

[Odette Youssef]

There's been a decided uptick in the rhetoric and vision of violence in the United States from apostolic leaders for some time.

[Fred Clarkson]

Some NAR leaders were involved in organizing and fomenting anger among Trump's base in the period leading to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Odet Youssef, NPR News, in Los Angeles.

[Jack Spear]

One of the doctors accused of supplying actor Matthew Perry with the drug ketamine has agreed to plead guilty. More from reporter Steve Futterman.

[Steve Futterman]

Dr. Salvador Plasencia was accused last year along with four others of being part of a money making to get Matthew Perry large quantities of ketamine, the drug that eventually played a key role in his death. When the charges were filed in 2024, then U.S. attorney Martine Estrada said all those involved knew that Perry had substance abuse problems. These defendants were more interested in profiting off Mr. Perry than caring for his well being. Placentia, according to the US Attorney, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years prison. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks close higher on Wall Street. The Dow up 317 points. This is NPR. A fast moving wildfire has now spread on the Hawaiian island of Maui, forcing the evacuation of around 100 homes there. The fire that erupted over the weekend is on the opposite side of the island from a devastating fire two years ago that killed more than 100 people in the town of Lahaina. The the latest fire is now estimated to have consumed upwards of 330 acres. Though the fire has made some progress in terms of being contained, no injuries or major structural damage has been reported. Nearly half of all Americans have some connection to the Catholic Church. That's according to a new report from Pew Research. NPR's Jason DeRose explains it does not always mean aligning with church teachings.

[Odette Youssef]

20% of US adults said they're Catholic when asked about their current religion. An additional 9% said they were culturally Catholic, said they were former Catholics. And yet another 9% said they had some other connection, such as a Catholic parent or spouse when it comes to what's essential to their faith. The report found that seven in 10 said a personal relationship with Jesus. Half responded devotion to Mary, and just under half said helping the poor or receiving the Eucharist. Less than a third of Catholics said opposing abortion, caring for immigrants or belonging to a parish was essential. Jason DeRose, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Leonard Lowder, a philanthropist who grew his family's cosmetics business into a global brand, has died. Louder, the oldest son of Este and Joseph H. Lauder, who founded the cosmetics company in 1946, joined the family business in 1958. Leonard Louder was 92 years old. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Capital One Representative]

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