NPR News: 05-21-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 21, 2025

Release Date: May 22, 2025

In this episode of NPR News Now, listeners are provided with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments across international politics, aviation safety, high-profile legal cases, economic fluctuations, humanitarian efforts, and scientific achievements. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and insights from the episode.

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1. Tensions Between President Trump and South African Leadership

Timestamp: 00:18 – 01:19

NPR's Jack Spear reports on a significant diplomatic encounter in the Oval Office where President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with accusations of genocide against white farmers—a claim made without substantive evidence. Mara Liasson elaborates on the exchange:

"TRUMP played a video for Ramaphosa that he said proved his point. But Ramaphosa pushed back, saying that the majority of crime victims in South Africa are black, not white, and he brought up some white friends who would vouch for him." [00:33]

Ramaphosa confidently refuted the allegations, emphasizing the lack of credibility in Trump's claims by stating:

"I would say if there was Africana farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here, including my minister of Agriculture. He would not be with me." [00:47]

Furthermore, Ramaphosa highlighted ongoing security challenges within South Africa and proposed a collaborative approach by requesting assistance from the United States, specifically the sale of drones and other security equipment to address crime issues.

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2. Newark Liberty International Airport Faces Flight Limitations Due to Tech Outages

Timestamp: 01:19 – 02:11

Federal regulators have imposed temporary restrictions on the number of flights operating at Newark Liberty International Airport following a series of technological failures. NPR's Joel Rose interviews an anonymous air traffic controller who revealed longstanding concerns about the airport's radar and communication systems:

"There had been warning signs before radar and communication systems went dark at the facility that manages the Newark airspace." [01:33]

The controller expressed frustration over the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) previous inaction despite raising alarms. However, recent developments indicate a shift in the FAA's stance:

"The FAA is now more receptive to their concerns." [01:33]

During a recent outage, the controller recounted the team's reaction as a mix of disbelief, frustration, and anger, underscoring the urgency of addressing these systemic issues to ensure aviation safety.

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3. Harvey Weinstein's Retrial Continues with Intense Cross-Examination

Timestamp: 02:11 – 03:07

The high-profile retrial of former movie producer Harvey Weinstein proceeded in a Manhattan courtroom, featuring a day-long cross-examination of Jessica Mann, an aspiring actress who accused Weinstein of rape. Reporter Ilya Maritz provides an in-depth look at the proceedings:

Mann recounted the alleged assault, stating:

"Weinstein forced me to have sex with him in a hotel room." [02:22]

Defense attorney Arthur Aidala challenged Mann by presenting evidence of a seemingly complex relationship involving professional and personal interactions, including messages where Mann sought assistance for acting opportunities and expressed appreciation for Weinstein’s support.

Prosecutors plan to rest their case next week, paving the way for the defense to present their arguments. This retrial arises after Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned on procedural grounds, maintaining the legal battle's intensity and public interest.

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4. Wall Street Experiences Significant Sell-Off Amid Economic Uncertainty

Timestamp: 03:07 – 04:36

A substantial bond-driven sell-off rattled Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting by 816 points and the Nasdaq dropping 270 points. These movements reflect investor anxiety amidst various economic and geopolitical factors influencing market stability.

Pentagon Secures Boeing 747 for Presidential Use

In a related defense sector update, the Pentagon announced the acquisition of a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by Qatar, intended to be utilized as the next Air Force One. A Pentagon spokesperson assured the public:

"We will work to ensure proper security measures are taken regarding the plane in order to make it safe for the president to use." [03:07]

The administration affirmed that the acquisition complies with all federal rules and regulations, addressing any concerns about the legitimacy and security of the transfer.

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5. Pope Leo XIV Advocates for Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Timestamp: 03:50 – 04:36

Pope Leo XIV made a heartfelt appeal for humanitarian assistance to reach the Gaza Strip, urging an end to the ongoing hostilities that have devastated the region. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports:

"Pope Leo XIV appealed to allow what he called dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for an end to the hostilities whose heartbreaking is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people." [03:50]

Speaking at his inaugural general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Pope emphasized the urgent need for aid amidst over 50,000 Palestinian deaths and a severe food crisis resulting from prolonged blockades and conflict. He drew attention to the critical situation by highlighting the suffering of the most vulnerable populations.

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6. NASA’s Perseverance Rover Highlights Ongoing Mars Exploration

Timestamp: 04:36 – 04:56

In a scientific update, NASA announced that the Perseverance rover continues to yield fascinating discoveries from the Martian surface. Jack Spear reported:

The rover recently captured a stunning selfie featuring a twirling dust storm just miles behind it. Over the past four years, Perseverance has been diligently collecting rock samples, contributing valuable data to our understanding of Mars' geology and potential for past life.

This ongoing mission underscores NASA's commitment to exploring the Red Planet and advancing our knowledge of space.

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This episode of NPR News Now effectively encapsulates a diverse array of pressing issues, providing listeners with insightful analysis and updates from around the globe. From international diplomacy and aviation safety to high-stakes legal battles and humanitarian crises, the episode delivers a well-rounded snapshot of current events shaping our world.

Transcript

[Mint Mobile]

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[Jack Spear]

News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was in the Oval Office today where President Trump accused South Africa without evidence of allowing a genocide of white farm. More from NPR's Mara Liasson.

[Mara Liasson]

TRUMP played a video for Ramaphosa that he said proved his point. But Ramaphosa pushed back, saying that the majority of crime victims in South Africa are black, not white, and he brought up some white friends who would vouch for him.

[Cyril Ramaphosa]

I would say if there was Africana farmer genocide, I can bet you these three gentlemen would not be here, including my minister of Agriculture. He would not be with me.

[Mara Liasson]

In addition, Ramaphoso also brought some friends of South African golfer Ernie Ells and billionaire Johan Rupert. Ramaphosa said his country does have a crime problem and he asked Trump to help solve it by making a deal selling South Africa drones and other security equipment. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Federal regulators are temporarily limiting the number of flights at Newark Liberty International Airport after a series of tech outages. NPR's Joel Rose spoke to one air traffic controller who says they had concerns about those systems long before the recent failures.

[Cyril Ramaphosa]

There had been warning signs before radar and communication systems went dark at the facility that manages the Newark airspace, according to an air traffic controller who works there. The controller asked NPR not to use their name because they're not authorized to speak publicly by their employer, the Federal Aviation Administration. They say the FAA rejected earlier requests from Newark air traffic controllers to reduce the number of planes using that airspace, but they say the FAA is now more receptive to their concerns. The controller was on duty during one of the recent tech and described their initial reaction as disbelief, followed by frustration and anger. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

The retrial of former movie producer Harvey Weinstein continued today in a Manhattan courtroom with the day long cross examination of a woman who says Weinstein raped her. Reporter Ilya Maritz has more.

[Ilya Maritz]

Jessica Mann was an aspiring actress in 2013 when she asserts Weinstein forced her to have sex with him in a hotel room. Defense attorney Arthur Aidala focused his questions for Mann on evidence suggesting a more complicated relationship that mixed sex, friendship and the film business. He prompted Mann to read aloud one message sent less than a month after the alleged rape in which she asked Weinstein's assistant for help getting an audition for a film. In other messages to Weinstein around that time, she wrote, I appreciate all you do for me and hope to see you sooner than later. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case next week. Then it's the defense's turn. Weinstein's team has not ruled out putting him on the standard. Weinstein's 2020 conviction was overturned on procedural grounds last year. For NPR News, I'm Ilia Merritz in New York.

[Jack Spear]

A bond driven sell off on Wall street today. The Dow fell 816 points. The Nasdaq was down 270. This is NPR. The Pentagon is confirming it's taken possession of a Boeing 747 given to the US as a gift by Qatar that President Trump has said he wants to use as Air Force One. A Pentagon spokesperson saying today the department will work to ensure proper security measures are taken regarding the plane in order to make it safe for the president to use. The administration claims the gift is in accordance with all federal rules and regulations. Pope Leo XIV is calling for humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip and for an end to the heartbreaking toll on its people. More from NPR's Ruth Sherlock.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Pope Leo XIV appealed to allow what he called dignified humanitarian aid to Gaza and called for an end to the hostilities whose quote, heartbreaking is being paid by children, the elderly and sick people. He spoke at his first general audience in St. Peter's Square. Pope Leo has addressed the situation in Gaza several times during his new papacy. His predecessor, Pope Francis, in the months before he died, had ramped up criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's war against Hamas, and months of blockade has brought Gaza's population to the brink of famine in January. Pope Francis had described the situation as, quote, shameful. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome.

[Jack Spear]

NASA's Perseverance rover continues to come up with new and interesting science from the surface of Mars. In its latest selfie. Taking one of its robotic cameras, the rover captured a twirling dust storm a few miles behind it. Perseverance has been collecting Mars rock samples over the past four years. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Mint Mobile]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less, and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.