NPR News: 05-10-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 10, 2025

Hosted by NPR and released on May 10, 2025, "NPR News Now" provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news in just five minutes. This summary captures all the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode, structured into clear sections for easy navigation.

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1. White House Considers Suspension of Habeas Corpus

Timestamp: [00:17]

Host Dale Willman opens the episode with a critical update on the White House's contemplation of suspending habeas corpus, a fundamental constitutional protection against unlawful detention. This move is framed within the administration's broader strategy against illegal immigration.

Reporter Danielle Kurtzleben provides further details, highlighting an exchange between a reporter and White House aide Stephen Miller:

Stephen Miller [00:42]: "Well, the Constitution is clear, and that, of course, is the supreme law of the land, that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So I would say that's an option we're actively looking at."

Kurtzleben contextualizes the administration's stance by noting the characterization of illegal immigration as an "invasion." She also references other extraordinary measures the administration has taken, such as enforcing an 18th-century law to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador and attempts to send individuals to Libya. The feasibility and current momentum of suspending habeas corpus remain uncertain.

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2. Leadership Shake-Up at the U.S. Postal Service

Timestamp: [01:18]

Transitioning to postal news, Dale Willman reports on significant changes within the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) leadership amidst financial uncertainties exacerbated by the Trump administration's policies.

NPR's Hansi Luong elaborates on the appointment of David Steiner, former CEO of Waste Management, as the new head of USPS, effective July. Steiner emphasizes his commitment to preserving USPS as an independent entity within the executive branch:

David Steiner [01:33]: "I believe strongly in maintaining the Postal Service's role as an independent establishment of the executive branch."

The report highlights concerns among USPS supporters and labor unions regarding the administration's intentions to potentially merge USPS with the Commerce Department or privatize it. Such moves could jeopardize mail services in rural areas and undermine union protections. Unions specifically fear that Steiner's background with FedEx may lead to the divestiture of USPS's package division and diminished union influence.

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3. Newly Elected Pope Leo XIV's First Public Mass

Timestamp: [02:17]

Dale Willman introduces a significant religious event: the inaugural public mass of Pope Leo XIV. NPR Station Reporter provides a detailed account of the ceremony, highlighting both traditional elements and subtle shifts that may indicate the Pope's future direction.

The mass, held in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, adhered to formal protocols with cardinals in traditional vestments. Notably, Pope Leo XIV opted for black shoes, aligning with his predecessor Pope Francis, rather than the red slippers worn by Pope Benedict. The service featured multiple Bible readings, including two delivered by women in English and Spanish, and sermons that transitioned from English to Italian, reflecting a blend of tradition and contemporary sensibilities.

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4. Wall Street Sees Mixed Performance Amid Tariff Concerns

Timestamp: [02:56]

Dale Willman provides an economic update, noting a relatively stable week on Wall Street following periods of volatility attributed to President Trump's imposition of tariffs and fears of a slowing economy. The stock market's performance was mixed:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Slight decline for the day.
• S&P 500: Closed down by 7 points.
• NASDAQ: Increased by a fraction of a point.

This segment underscores the ongoing market apprehensions tied to governmental economic policies and global trade tensions.

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5. Pro-European Union March in Romania Ahead of Pivotal Election

Timestamp: [02:56]

In international news, Dale Willman reports on a significant political demonstration in Romania's capital. Thousands rallied in a pro-European Union (EU) march, setting the stage for a closely contested presidential election scheduled for the following week.

The election features a showdown between George Simeon, a hard-right nationalist and the frontrunner, and the city's pro-EU mayor. The march signifies the deep divisions within Romania regarding its relationship with the EU and the country's future direction.

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6. Jury Selection Delays in Sean Combs' High-Profile Trial

Timestamp: [03:49]

Dale Willman shifts focus to the legal arena, discussing delays in jury selection for the high-profile trial of Sean Combs, the hip-hop mogul facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento details the procedural setbacks:

Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [03:49]: "On Monday, the prosecution and defense in the Sean Combs trial will select the 12 jurors who will serve on the trial, plus six alternates. Opening statements are expected to begin that same day."

The selection process has been postponed twice to mitigate the risk of jurors withdrawing before the trial commences. While prosecutors have expressed frustration over the delays, aiming to keep the trial on schedule, Combs' defense attorney, Mark Agnifolo, remains optimistic that the process will proceed without further hindrance.

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7. PGA Golf Tournament Update: Keith Mitchell Leads After Two Rounds

Timestamp: [04:31]

Concluding the episode, Dale Willman provides sports enthusiasts with the latest from the PGA Golf Tournament near Philadelphia. Keith Mitchell currently holds a one-stroke lead after two rounds, having posted a score of 367 that includes two bogeys and five birdies. Trailing closely is Shane Lowry, who scored five under par 65, positioning him in second place. Sepp Straka is three strokes behind at 67, while defending champion Rory McIlroy maintains a position seven under par. The competition remains fierce as the tournament progresses toward its final rounds.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the critical news segments covered in the May 10, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, offering readers a thorough understanding of the day's major events.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The White House says it's considering suspending habeas corpus. That's a constitutional provision that prevents people from being unlawfully detained or imprisoned by the government. The idea comes within the context of the administration administration's fight against illegal immigration. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

A reporter asked White House aide Stephen Miller if President Trump is considering suspending habeas corpus. Miller said, yes.

[Stephen Miller]

Well, the Constitution is clear, and that, of course, is the supreme law of the land, that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. So I would say that's an option we're actively looking at.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

The Trump administration often characterizes the large number of people entering the US Illegally as an invasion. It's not clear how active the proposal is. This would be another extraordinary measure, joining the use of an 18th century law to deport alleged gang members to a prison in El Salvador and attempting to send others to Libya. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Dale Willman]

The U.S. postal Service's board of Governors has picked an official at one of its competitors to lead the independent federal mail agency. As NPR's Hansi Luong reports, the move comes as USPS, which is a financial supporter of NPR features, faces an uncertain future under the Trump administration.

[Hansi Luong]

David Steiner, a former CEO of Waste Management, is set to leave the board of FedEx to start leading the US Postal Service in July. In a statement, Steiner says he believes strongly in maintaining the Postal Service's role as an independent establishment of the executive branch. In recent months, the Trump administration has sparked concerns that it's determined to take over an agency that Congress set up to be independent decades ago. President Trump has suggested a form of a merger between the Commerce Department and the Postal Service, as well as privatizing usps, which would likely reduce mail service in rural communities. The heads of the two letter carrier unions say they're concerned about the incoming postmaster general's background at FedEx, which they fear could lead to USPS selling off the package side of its mail business and sidelining unions. Ahn Zi Lo Wang, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first public mass on Friday. He also gave his first homily, which may signal the direction he wants to take his papacy. NPR station deros has more from Rome on Leo's appearance.

[NPR Station Reporter]

Much of it was formal, of course. It was, after all, in the Vatican Sistine Chapel, and cardinals processed in in their white chasubles and mitres. But Pope Leo didn't wear the red slippers that Benedict wore. Instead, he wore, rather, the black shoes that Francis wore. There were the traditional multiple Bible readings, two by women, one in English and one in Spanish. And the sermons started in English and then switched to Italian for most of it.

[Dale Willman]

It was a relatively quiet week on Wall street after weeks of chaos caused primarily by President Trump's tariffs as well as fears of economic slowing. Stocks finished the week mixed with the Dow down slightly for the day, while The S&P 500 closed down just 7, 100 and the NASDAQ was up a fraction of a point. You're listening to NPR News. Thousands of people gathered in the capital of Romania this weekend for what was labeled a pro European Union march. It came one week before the final vote of a closely watched president election that pits a hard right nationalist against the Capitol's pro EU mayor. Nationalist George Simeon is considered the frontrunner in that race. The final steps of jury selection for the Sean Combs trial have been pushed to Monday. There are fears that selected jurors may back out of serving on the highly publicized case. As NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

On Monday, the prosecution and defense in the Sean Combs trial will select the 12 jurors who will serve on the trial, plus six alternates. Opening statements are expected to begin that same day. A judge finished questioning jurors earlier this week, but further winnowing of the pool was pushed twice to avoid having jurors drop out in the days leading up to the trial. Prosecutors protested the delay, saying they're working against the clock. Combs lead defense attorney Mark Agnifolo told the judge that finalizing jury selection should not take long. On Monday, he said the trial timeline should ultimately stay on track. The hip hop mogul faces charges that include sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Keith Mitchell holds a one stroke lead after two rounds in the PGA Golf Tournament underway this weekend just north of Philadelphia. He shot a 367 that included two bogeys and five birdies. Shane Lowry carded a five under 65 and is in second, while Sepp Straka is two strokes off the lead after shooting a 67. Defending champion Rory McIlroy sits at seven under. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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