NPR News: 07-25-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 25, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Nora Ram hosts the latest developments from around the globe, delivering concise and comprehensive news updates.

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Israeli Minister's Controversial Remarks on Gaza

Timestamp: [00:16] – [01:18]

In a provocative statement, Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai El Yaou advocated for extreme measures against Palestinians in Gaza. During a radio interview, El Yaou declared, "No nation feeds its enemies," emphasizing Israel's intent to "wipe out Gaza" ([00:36]).

However, the Israeli Prime Minister's office quickly responded, clarifying that El Yaou's views do not represent the government. They stated, "Eliyahu does not speak for the government and he's not a member of the security cabinet that determines the conduct of the war." Additionally, the Israeli ambassador to Washington labeled the minister's comments as "foolish" and not reflective of official policy.

This rhetoric arises amid dire conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies warn of imminent famine due to restricted food imports. Hadil El Shelchi reports on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Tel Aviv.

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President Trump's Upcoming Visit to Scotland Amidst Controversies

Timestamp: [01:18] – [02:16]

President Donald Trump is set to travel to Scotland, where his agenda includes discussions on trade and global relations. NPR's Franco Ordonez outlines that Trump will engage with key figures such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney to deliberate on a previously announced trade deal with the United Kingdom ([01:27]).

The trip also involves visits to Trump's golf courses in Aberdeen and Turnberry, potentially offering him a respite from ongoing controversies in Washington. These include inquiries into his ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demands from his MAGA base for more information on the Epstein case.

Before departing, Trump was questioned about the possibility of granting clemency to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. He responded, "I have the right to, but it's something I haven't thought about," and redirected focus to the nation's performance, stating, "People should really focus on how well the country is doing." Meanwhile, the Justice Department is advancing legal action against New York City over its sanctuary policies, as reported by Sarah Ventri.

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DOJ Sues New York City Over Sanctuary Laws

Timestamp: [02:16] – [03:13]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against New York City, challenging its sanctuary policies. Sarah Ventri explains that the DOJ alleges, "New York City has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this country's immigration laws," asserting that these policies violate the Constitution's supremacy clause.

The lawsuit targets not only the city itself but also the NYPD, New York City Council, and Mayor Eric Adams, who in 2023 warned that migrant influxes could "destroy the city." This legal move is part of a broader federal effort to contest local policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

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Ongoing Conflict Between Thailand and Cambodia

Timestamp: [03:13] – [04:20]

Host Nora Ram reports on the intensifying border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, now persisting for two consecutive days. According to Michael Sullivan, Thailand reports at least 15 fatalities, primarily civilians, while Cambodia has released limited casualty information, acknowledging just one civilian death ([03:35]).

The clashes, which ignited early Monday morning, have expanded to new regions despite global appeals for a ceasefire. Thailand has taken significant measures, evacuating over 100,000 residents from border areas and accusing Cambodia of targeting civilians. Conversely, Cambodia accuses Thailand of deploying cluster munitions.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister has cautioned that Cambodia's actions could potentially escalate into a full-scale war but has notably refrained from deploying F-16 fighter bombers, possibly aiming to de-escalate tensions.

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Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Show Canceled Over Controversial Artwork

Timestamp: [04:20] – [04:56]

In Chiang Rai, Thailand, artist Amy Sherrill has decided to cancel her upcoming exhibition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery due to a dispute over one of her paintings titled "Transforming Liberty." The artwork depicts a transgender woman in a blue gown holding a torch.

The Smithsonian proposed adding a video component showcasing public reactions to the painting, which Sherrill opposed. She expressed concerns about a "climate of political hostility towards trans lives," highlighting the challenges faced by transgender communities in the current political landscape. Sherrill, renowned for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, believes that the addition undermines the artistic integrity and the message intended by the original piece.

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This summary encapsulates the key points and discussions from the NPR News Now episode released on July 25, 2025. For the full details and additional stories, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR's coverage.

Transcript

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. An Israeli government minister says Israel should starve Palestinians in Gaza and drive them out of the enclave. He made his comments in a radio interview at a time when aid agency says Gaza is at risk of famine. NPR's Hadil El Shelchi reports.

[Hadil El Shelchi]

Far right, Israeli Minister Amichai El Yaou said that, quote, no nation feeds its enemies and that the Israeli government was rushing toward wiping out Gaza. El Yaou is the Israeli heritage minister and oversees archaeological sites in Israel. In a statement, the Israeli prime minister's office said that Eliyahu does not speak for the government and he's not a member of the security cabinet that determines the, quote, conduct of the war. The Israeli ambassador to Washington called the minister's comments, quote, foolish and that they did not reflect the Israeli government's policy. Death from hunger has sharply increased in Gaza as Israel is severely restricting the entry of food into the territory. Hadil Al Shalgi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Nora Ram]

President Trump is on his way to Scotland. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports. The president will be there for several days with trade and gulf on the agenda.

[Franco Ordonez]

President Trump is expected to receive a warm reception from politicians such as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with whom he'll meet to discuss a previously announced trade deal with the United Kingdom. Trump's also expected to meet with Scotland's first minister, John Swinney. But Trump will also be met by protesters who are planning demonstrations in Aberdeen, where he'll meet with the prime minister as well as other major cities. The trip will also be a chance to visit his golf courses in Aberdeen and Turnberry and possibly escape some of the drama that has consumed Washington, notably questions about his own connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demands from his own MAGA base to release more information about the Epstein case. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

Before leaving for Scotland, the president was asked about clemency for Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. He said he has the right to, but it's something he hasn't thought about. He said people should really focus on how well the country is doing. The Justice Department is suing New York City over its sanctuary laws. NPR's Sarah Ventri has more on the story.

[Sarah Ventri]

The DOJ stated in its complaint that, quote, New York city has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this country's immigration laws and that these policies violate the Constitution's supremacy clause. The suit was filed not just against the city of New York, but also the nypd, New York City Council and even Mayor Eric Adams, who said in 2023 that the influx of migrants to New York would, quote, destroy the city. This move by the federal government is the latest in a series of suits over similar policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

[Nora Ram]

You're listening to NPR News. Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued for the second straight day. Thailand says at least 15 people, mostly civilians, have been killed. The Cambodian government hasn't released casualty figures, although a provincial spokesman says that one civilian has died. Michael Sullivan reports.

[Michael Sullivan]

Both sides of the disputed border beginning in the early hours of the morning and appear to spread to new areas after yesterday's fighting. Despite international calls for an immediate ceasefire, Thailand says it's evacuated more than 100,000 residents from their homes near the border and accused Cambodia of targeting civilians, while Cambodia accused Thailand of using cluster munitions. Thailand's acting prime minister warned what he called Cambodia's aggression could escalate into an all out war. But Thailand refrained from using F16 fighter bombers against Cambodian positions, as it did on Thursday, which could suggest it's trying to prevent the situation from escalating. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan.

[Nora Ram]

In Chiang Rai, Thailand, artist Amy Sherrill is canceling a planned show at Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery because of a dispute over one painting. It portrays a trans woman in a blue gown holding a torch. It was titled Transforming Liberty. The Smithsonian says it wanted to add a video of people reacting to the painting. And Sheryl, who is best known for her painting of former first lady Michelle Obama, says there is a climate of political hostility towards trans lives. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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