NPR News: 05-16-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

New Jersey Transit Engineers Strike Suspends Service

[00:15] Shea Stevens reported that New Jersey transit engineers have initiated a strike after negotiations for a new contract stalled. Harrison Malkin detailed that the nation's third-largest rail system is now completely halted, affecting approximately 350,000 commuters.

Union President Mark Wallace expressed the members' frustrations, stating, “Our members want to be treated with parity. They want to be treated with respect. And the negotiations that they've been having with General Chairman Haas have been neither” [00:43]. NJ Transit has responded by increasing bus services and collaborating with private carriers, though they caution that their contingency plans can only accommodate about 20% of current rail customers [00:55].

Supreme Court Reviews Limits on Lower Courts' Authority Over Executive Orders

In Washington, Shea Stevens highlighted that the U.S. Supreme Court is currently evaluating the extent to which lower courts can limit President Trump's executive orders. The key issue revolves around whether a single judge has the power to issue a universal injunction against the President's attempt to redefine birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.

Kerry Johnson provided insights into the justices' perspectives, noting, “Many of the justices have been on record in speeches and writings saying they do not like this idea that one judge who can be very wrong in one part of the country can make a decision that binds everybody else for a long period of time” [01:34]. However, Justice Elena Kagan acknowledged the uniqueness of this case by emphasizing its foundation in long-standing Supreme Court precedent, stating, “This case is different because it involves this issue of birthright citizenship, which has basically been settled law for over 125 years” [01:34].

Ukraine and Russia Engage in Tense Talks in Turkey

Shea Stevens reported from Ankara that Ukrainian officials are actively seeking to end the war with Russia through meetings in Turkey. Joanna Kakissis detailed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is sending a delegation to Istanbul to converse with Kremlin technocrats. However, the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin has cast doubts on the effectiveness of these negotiations.

Zelensky criticized Putin's lack of participation, stating, “We're sending a group to Istanbul. But Putin is not here or in Istanbul, and we cannot run around looking for this person” [02:26]. Meanwhile, from Qatar, former President Trump asserted that progress on peace negotiations is unlikely without direct communication with Putin: “Nothing can happen on peace negotiations until I speak with Putin myself” [02:26].

Georgia Hospital Faces Legal Battle Over Feeding Tube for Brain-Dead Pregnant Patient

In a controversial case, a hospital in Georgia is refusing to remove a feeding tube from a brain-dead pregnant patient due to the state's stringent abortion laws. The patient's family contends that they should have the autonomy to discontinue life-sustaining measures through the Lifesaver device. This situation ignites a debate on whether states can mandate life-preserving actions to support a fetus, especially when the patient is approximately three weeks away from a due date [03:11].

Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Alleged Immigration Evasion Assistance

Shea Stevens covered the legal turmoil involving Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Joe Rose explained that Dugan is accused of directing a defendant without legal status out of her courtroom to evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The defendant, initially present on domestic abuse charges, was apprehended shortly after [03:53].

This case is emblematic of the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers concerning the administration's rigorous stance on illegal immigration. With Dugan’s trial scheduled for July, the incident underscores the heightened scrutiny and legal battles surrounding immigration enforcement [03:53].

Coinbase Suffers Significant Ransomware Attack Ahead of S&P 500 Inclusion

In financial news, Shea Stevens reported that Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency platform, is grappling with the aftermath of a substantial ransomware attack. The company disclosed that the breach may cost up to $400 million in recovery expenses, having rejected the hackers' $20 million ransom demand [04:25]. This incident occurs just days before Coinbase is slated to join the S&P 500 index, adding pressure on the firm amidst fluctuating market responses.

Following the attack, U.S. stock futures remained flat during after-hours trading on Wall Street, while Asian Pacific markets saw a downturn [04:25]. This event highlights the vulnerabilities and financial risks associated with major cryptocurrency exchanges in the evolving digital economy.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on May 16, 2025. Each section provides a comprehensive overview of the main topics covered, complete with notable quotes and relevant timestamps to contextualize the information.

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. New Jersey transit engineers have gone on strike after failing to reach a new contract agreement. As Harrison Malkin reports, all service on the nation's third largest rail system is suspended.

[Harrison Malkin]

New Jersey's Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and trainmen have worked for the contract since 2019. They're seeking wage increases comparable to Long Island Railroad and Metro North. Here is union President Mark Wallace.

[Mark Wallace]

Our members want to be treated with parity. They want to be treated with respect. And the negotiations that they've been having with General Chairman Haas have been neither.

[Harrison Malkin]

The strike will impact around 350,000 commuters. NJ Transit says it will increase bus service and is working with private bus carriers. NJ Transit estimates its contingency plan can only support about 20% of current rail customers. For NPR News, I'm Harrison Malkin.

[Shea Stevens]

In New Jersey, the U.S. supreme Court is weighing arguments over the authority of lower courts to restrict President Trump's executive orders. The justices are deciding whether a single judge can issue a universal injunction blocking Trump's attempt to reinterpret a clause of the Constitution on birthright citizenship. NPR's Kerry Johnson has more on a hearing filed Thursday.

[Kerry Johnson]

Many of the justices have been on record in speeches and writings saying they do not like this idea that one judge who can be very wrong in one part of the country can make a decision that binds everybody else for a long period of time. Those justices include Elena Kagan. But today she said in her questioning that this case is different because it involves this issue of birthright citizenship, which has basically been settled law for over 125 years. It involves Supreme Court precedent, the 14th Amendment.

[Shea Stevens]

NPR's Kerry Johnson. Ukrainian officials gathered in Turkey Thursday for a meeting with Russian leaders on ending the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's sending a delegation to Istanbul to meet with Kremlin technocrats. But NPR's Joanna Kakissis reports from Kyiv that that it's not clear when the meeting would take place.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Russian President Vladimir Putin decided not to attend the talks, talks that he had proposed earlier this week. Zelensky, who did fly to Turkey, says this shows Putin is not serious about peace in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is trying to serve as a mediator. The Ukrainian president later spoke with reporters. He's saying, so here we are in Ankara. We're sending a group to Istanbul. But Putin is not here or in Istanbul, and we cannot run around looking for this person. Speaking from Qatar, President Trump said that nothing can happen on peace negotiations until he speaks with Putin himself. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Shea Stevens]

This is npr. A Georgia hospital is refusing to remove a feeding tube from a brain dead pregnant patient because of the state's abortion ban. The woman's family argues that they should have the option to take her off Lifesaver. The case is raising questions about the right of states to force measures to preserve the life of a fetus. The patient is said to be three weeks away from a due date. In Wisconsin, a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities has entered a plea in federal court. As NPR's Joe Rose reports, the case is part of an escalating clash between the Trump administration and Democrats over the president's crackdown on illegal immigration.

[Joe Rose]

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty during a brief arraignment in federal court. Dugan is charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. The judge is accused of directing a defendant without legal status out the back door of her courtroom as U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to arrest him. The man, who was in court on domestic abuse charges, was apprehended a short time later. A federal grand jury indicted Dugan earlier this week. She and her attorneys left the hearing without speaking to reporters. The a trial is set for July. Joel Rose, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Cryptocurrency giant Coinbase says it will have to spend as much as $400 million to recover from a recent ransomware attack. The company says it's refused the hackers demand for $20 million. The attack came days before Coinbase is set to join the S&P 500 index on Wall Street. US futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. On Asia Pacific market, shares are lower. This is NPR News.

[Capital One Representative]

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