NPR News: 06-17-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary: June 17, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens Release Date: June 17, 2025

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G7 Leaders Affirm Israel’s Right to Self-Defense and Target Iran’s Regional Instability

At the G7 summit in Calgary, leaders united in a joint statement reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself while identifying Iran as the principal source of regional instability. The declaration emphasized the G7's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Notable Quote:

Ted Cruz [01:00]: "Listen, this is not World War three. And by the way, Iran has been trying to wage World War three for the entire existence ever since the Islamic Revolution."

In an interview with ABC News, Texas Senator Ted Cruz asserted that Iran should anticipate an overwhelming force response should it attack the Israeli military. Cruz further stated that "Israel is doing the United States a favor by attacking Iran," underscoring the tense stance many U.S. lawmakers hold towards Iran's ambitions.

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Controversy at Paris Air Show Over Israeli Defense Exhibits

The French government recently shut down four Israeli defense stands at the Paris Air Show, sparking immediate backlash from Israel. Organizers claimed that Israel violated prior agreements by showcasing offensive weapons, including those deployed in Gaza.

Reporting by Eleanor Beardsley:

"Black partition walls have been put up around the display. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the move outrageous."

The Israeli Ministry of Defense condemned the decision as an act of segregation, with defense contractors likening the partition walls to the discriminatory separation Jews faced in historical Europe. Although Israelis demanded the reversal of the shutdowns, a French court dismissed bids by several NGOs to ban Israel from the event entirely. Nine Israeli companies continued to exhibit amidst the heightened tensions.

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Capitol Hill Tightens Security Following Minnesota Lawmaker Attack

In the wake of a tragic incident where a gunman targeted Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, resulting in one fatality and another injured, Capitol Hill is ramping up security measures.

Report by Deirdre Walsh: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for moral clarity in condemning political violence:

Chuck Schumer [02:23]: "Every single one of us must condemn political violence, no matter where it comes from, and to work together to eradicate its root causes."

Top Democrats in the House are advocating for increased discretionary funds to enhance security for lawmakers. While Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the sentiment that "political violence has no place in the nation," specific policy changes remain undecided.

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Federal Court Orders Restoration of Health Grants and MyPillow CEO Faces Defamation Verdict

Federal Health Grants Restoration: A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's cuts to federal health grants, deeming the termination of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research on diversity and LGBTQ issues as illegal. This decision mandates the reinstatement of hundreds of targeted grants, ensuring continued support for critical research areas.

Defamation Case Against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell: In a significant legal development, a federal jury in Denver found MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell personally liable for defaming a former Dominion Voting Systems employee. Lindell was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages after falsely claiming that the employee rigged the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden.

Reporting by Ben Taub:

Mike Lindell [04:11]: "This was a huge victory for our country. My pillow was sued for no reason and they won 100%."

Despite Lindell's declaration of victory, the jury did assign personal liability to him for the defamatory statements. The former employee, Eric Kumar, who sought over $60 million in damages, reported enduring death threats and ongoing anxiety and panic attacks as a result of the false claims.

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Legal Proceedings Against California Doctor for Supplying Ketamine to Matthew Perry

A California physician, Dr. Salvador Placencia, has agreed to plead guilty to providing the late actor Matthew Perry with access to ketamine. This admission follows investigations that revealed unauthorized distribution of the controlled substance, which contributed to Perry's fatal drug overdose in October 2023 at the age of 54. Dr. Placencia now faces up to 40 years in prison for his role in the tragic incident.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments covered in the June 17, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. From international political dynamics and security concerns in Washington to significant legal judgments and ongoing public health issues, the episode provided listeners with crucial updates across a spectrum of pressing topics.

Transcript

[Jackson]

This message comes from Jackson. Seek clarity in retirement [e-mail] Jackson is short for Jackson Financial, Inc. Jackson National Life Insurance Co. Lansing, Michigan and Jackson National Life Insurance Co. Of New York, Purchase, New York.

[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Leaders of the G7 gathering in Calgary have signed a joint statement declaring Israel's right to defend itself. The statement also identifies Iran as the principal source of regional instability. The G7 leaders also again vowed to never let Iran attain a nuclear weapon. The joint statement was signed before President Trump left the gathering to focus on the situation in the Middle East. Texas Senator Ted Cruz says Iran should expect overwhelming force in response to any attack on the Israeli military. In an interview with ABC News, Cruz said Israel is doing the United States a favor by attacking Iran.

[Ted Cruz]

Listen, this is not World War three. And by the way, Iran has been trying to wage World War three for the entire existence ever since the Islamic Revolution.

[Shea Stevens]

Senator Cruz says there is a high likelihood that Iran would try to kill Americans if that nation ever obtained a nuclear weapon. The French government shut down four Israeli defense stands on Monday at the Paris air show. As NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports, Israelis demanded an immediate reversal of that decision.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Organizers say Israel violated the terms agreed upon by showing offensive weapons, including those used in Gaza. Black partition walls have been put up around the display. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the move outrageous. The Israeli Ministry of Defense denounced the decision as segregation. And the weapon maker called the black partition walls reminiscent of, quote, the the dark days when Jews were segmented from European society. A French court had rejected a bid by several NGOs to ban Israel outright from the air show because of its actions in Gaza. Nine Israeli companies are exhibiting. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Shea Stevens]

The top law enforcement officials on Capitol Hill are set to hold a security briefing with U.S. senators later today. The session coming after a gunman targeted Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, killing one and wounding another and their spouses. More from NPR's Deirdre Walsh.

[Chuck Schumer]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says lawmakers may disagree frequently on issues, but they must have the moral clarity to denounce the political assassinations.

[Jackson]

Every single one of us must condemn political violence, no matter where it comes from, and to work together to eradicate its root causes. We cannot be silent because silence only serves to enable more violence.

[Chuck Schumer]

Top Democrats in the House appeal to the speaker to increase the amount of money lawmakers can spend from their official office accounts to increase security measures. Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that political violence has no place in the nation, but it's unclear what changes might be put in place for members in Washington or their home states. Deirdre Walsh, NPR news, the Capitol.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are lower in after hours trading. This is NPR. A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to restore federal health grants that were cut. Judge William Young says it was illegal for cut the grants for research that was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Hundreds of NIH grants targeted for elimination involve research on diversity and LGBTQ issues. A federal jury in Denver has found MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell liable for defamation of a former Dominion Voting Systems employee. Lindell was also ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages. From Colorado Public Radio, Ben to Burkland has the story.

[Ben Taub]

The jury did reject a number of defamation claims against Lindell's company, MyPillow, and a streaming platform he runs. The former Dominion employee, Eric Kumar, was seeking more than $60 million in damages. Lindell hailed the verdict.

[Mike Lindell]

This was a huge victory for our country. My pillow was sued for no reason and they won 100%.

[Ben Taub]

Lawyers for Coomer said they were thrilled with the verdict and that the jury held Lindell personally liable for false claim that Kumar rigged the 2020 election for Joe Biden. Kumar said he faced death threats and still suffers anxiety and panic attacks. For NPR News, I'm Benta Berkland in Denver.

[Shea Stevens]

A California doctor has agreed to plead guilty to supplying actor Matthew Perry with access to ketamine. Dr. Salvador Placencia faces up to 40 years in prison. Perry died in October 2023 of a drug overdose at the age of 54. This is NPR News.

[Bombas]

This message comes from Bombas. Socks, underwear and T shirts are the top three requested clothing items by people experiencing homelessness. Bombas makes all three and donates one item for every item purchased. Go to bombas. Com npr and use code npr for 20% off.