NPR News: May 17, 2025, 1AM EDT – Detailed Summary

On the May 17, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Dale Willman delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments. The episode covers a range of topics, including significant legal rulings, corporate accountability, healthcare and abortion debates, economic indicators, severe weather impacts, the Vatican's diplomatic stance, and ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Supreme Court Blocks Deportation of Venezuelan Migrants

The episode opens with a critical legal development where the Supreme Court temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts to deport a group of Venezuelan migrants in Texas using the Alien Enemies Act. This 1798 law was repurposed by former President Trump to expedite the removal of individuals deemed threats to national security.

Sergio Martinez Beltran, reporting from Texas, provides deeper insights into the ruling:

"It is a significant loss for President Trump. Remember, he's pledged to remove millions of migrants without legal status from the US and the Alien Enemies Act is one of the tools he's using. He's already removed more than 100 Venezuelans under this law, and they've been sent to El Salvador, not even their home countries." (00:40)

Beltran highlights the ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the act's application, emphasizing that future court decisions, potentially by the Supreme Court, will determine its legality.

Department of Justice Considers Dropping Boeing Criminal Case

The Department of Justice is contemplating discontinuing a criminal case against Boeing related to two fatal 737 Max crashes that resulted in 346 deaths. Jill Rose reports that this potential move would shift the focus from criminal prosecution to a non-criminal settlement.

"Boeing agreed last year to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to defraud regulators about the safety of its planes after the crashes of two 737 Max jets that killed 346 people. But a federal judge rejected that plea deal." (01:27)

Family members of the victims express outrage over what they describe as a "backroom deal," intending to fight the proposed settlement in court. The settlement would include approximately $440 million for crash victims' lawyers, a move seen by some as insufficient accountability for Boeing.

Georgia Hospital Keeps Brain-Dead Pregnant Woman on Life Support Amid Strict Abortion Laws

A poignant and contentious story involves a Georgia hospital maintaining life support for a woman declared brain dead due to the state's stringent abortion ban. Melissa Fado outlines the situation:

"Doctors put 30-year-old Adriana Smith on life support in February in order to allow the fetus to grow enough to be delivered... Emory University Hospital declared her brain dead. She is currently 21 weeks pregnant, meaning removing her breathing tubes would kill the fetus." (02:08)

The family contends that the hospital unilaterally decided to keep Smith on life support without their consent, citing Georgia's abortion restrictions, which prohibit the procedure after six weeks—approximately when embryo cardiac activity begins. Emory Healthcare defends its decision, stating it was based on medical expertise and legal guidance, but the family's distress underscores the deep personal and ethical conflicts arising from the state's abortion policies.

Stock Markets Rise Amid Severe Weather and Infrastructure Impact

Financial markets showed positive movement with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing up by 331 points, the NASDAQ increasing by 98 points, and the S&P 500 rising by 41 points. This uptick occurred despite reports of severe weather affecting Missouri.

At least seven fatalities have been reported due to the extreme weather, including reports of a possible tornado that caused significant property damage:

"The storm tore roofs off some buildings, ripped bricks off the siding of other buildings and knocked down trees and power lines. Three people also had to be rescued after a part of a church collapsed." (03:03)

Pope Leo XIV Addresses Global Diplomats, Emphasizes Compassion and Traditional Values

In a significant diplomatic engagement, Pope Leo XIV delivered his inaugural address to ambassadors at the Vatican, outlining his positions on various global and social issues.

Ruth Sherlock, reporting from Rome, summarizes the pope's key messages:

"The pope spoke in support of migrants, saying their dignity must be respected... He addressed social issues, too, stating the church's more traditional position on marriage, affirming it as a stable union between a man and a woman. He reaffirmed the church's position against abortion. He said there must be, quote, 'respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.'" (03:45)

Pope Leo XIV, a dual citizen of the US and Peru, emphasized his heritage as a descendant of immigrants, advocating for compassion and solidarity towards displaced individuals while maintaining the church's longstanding stances on marriage and abortion.

Renewed Direct Talks Between Russia and Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

The episode concludes with updates on the fragile peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. For the first time since the initial invasion, direct talks resumed, focusing on a substantial prisoner exchange. However, significant disparities remain regarding the conditions necessary to cease hostilities fully.

Dale Willman reports:

"After less than two hours, both sides agreed on the larger prisoner swap, but they remain far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting. Afterward, Ukraine's president posted on social media a request for tough sanctions against Russia if it rejects a full and unconditional ceasefire along with an end to the killings." (04:28)

This development highlights the complex and ongoing nature of the conflict, with diplomatic efforts showing both progress and hurdles as both nations navigate the path towards potential resolution.

This summary encapsulates the key points and discussions from the May 17, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.