NPR News: 05-23-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 23, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

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1. President Trump's Tariff Policy Toward the European Union

Timestamp: [00:24] – [01:26]

President Donald Trump has intensified his tariff strategy against the European Union, creating uncertainty about future trade relations. In a recent Oval Office briefing, Trump reiterated his stance by confirming a 50% tariff on EU goods. When questioned about negotiating this rate, Trump stated:

“I'm not looking for a deal. I mean, we've set the deal. It's at 50%. But again, there is no tariff if they build their plant here.”
— Donald Trump [00:50]

Currently, the US imposes a 10% tariff on EU imports. Trump's administration had previously imposed a series of tariffs worldwide in early April but paused them for 90 days. This pause is set to end, potentially leading to higher tariffs this summer. When pressed on whether the EU can take steps to prevent the 50% tariff, Trump admitted uncertainty:

“I don't know and would see what happens.”
— Donald Trump [00:58]

NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports that these developments signal a potential escalation in trade tensions, as the administration assesses the situation post-pause.

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2. Legal Battle: Harvard University vs. Department of Homeland Security

Timestamp: [01:26] – [02:23]

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) attempt to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. This legal action stems from DHS's directive, which cited Harvard's failure to provide necessary disciplinary records for foreign applicants. Harvard contends that this move is both unlawful and retaliatory.

Key Points:

• Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): Allows Harvard to continue sponsoring international students.
• Impact: Experts warn that targeting elite institutions like Harvard could have long-lasting detrimental effects on US higher education.

Expert Insight:

“This eviscerates the international aspect of what Harvard does so well, bringing in the best people from the world.”
— Carl Tobias, University of Richmond [02:01]

Despite the injunction, the administration's actions are viewed by many as targeting selective institutions, potentially undermining the global reputation and competitiveness of US universities for decades to come.

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3. Violent Airstrikes in Gaza Result in Significant Casualties

Timestamp: [02:23] – [04:40]

An overnight airstrike in Gaza has resulted in the tragic deaths of 50 individuals who were sheltering in a single residence. The Israeli military asserts that its offensive aims to eliminate Hamas operatives. However, the humanitarian impact is profound, with numerous casualties, including children.

Details from the Scene:

• Location: Jabalia, near an area designated for evacuation by Israel.
• Casualties: Approximately 20 bodies recovered, many of them children, with another 30 individuals still missing.
• Displacement: An estimated 10,000 people have been displaced in the past 24 hours alone.

Personal Accounts:

“I’m leaving the north because there’s no life here anymore. My shirt was stained with the blood of my aunt from an airstrike only hours earlier.”
— Ayman Radwan, Resident of Jabalia [02:58]

As the situation deteriorates, residents like Radwan are fleeing their homes in search of safety, highlighting the severe and escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.

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4. French Court Verdict in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Robbery Case

Timestamp: [03:21] – [04:40]

A French court has delivered its verdict in the case involving the robbery of reality TV star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian that occurred nine years ago. Eight individuals were found guilty, while two were acquitted. Notably, none of the convicted parties will face additional prison time beyond the duration served during pretrial detention.

Case Overview:

• Incident: During Paris Fashion Week in 2016, disguised robbers posing as police officers forcibly entered Kardashian’s hotel room. They restrained her at gunpoint and stole jewelry valued in the millions.
• Outcome: Despite the guilty verdict for eight individuals, the lack of additional sentencing has sparked discussions about justice and accountability in high-profile cases.

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5. Billy Joel Cancels Concerts Due to Medical Diagnosis

Timestamp: [02:35] – [05:03]

Legendary musician Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of all his upcoming concerts following a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by excess fluid accumulation in the brain. This condition affects his hearing, vision, and balance, prompting medical advice to pause performing to focus on recovery.

Impact:

• Canceled Performances: Includes scheduled concerts with renowned artists such as Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, and Sting.
• Health Update: Joel is currently undergoing physical therapy aimed at managing his condition.

Background: Billy Joel, a staple in the music industry since the 1970s, had recently re-emerged with new music, breaking a decades-long hiatus by releasing the single "Turn the Lights Back On," which he performed live at the Grammy Awards last year.

Official Statement:

"He is undergoing physical therapy and his doctor has advised him to stop performing while he recovers."
— NPR's Jennifer Vanasco [03:55]

Fans and fellow artists have expressed their support, hoping for his swift and full recovery.

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6. Fun Segment: The Weenie 500 at the Indy 500

Timestamp: [04:40] – [05:03]

In a lighter segment, NPR reported on the whimsical "Weenie 500," a playful twist on the traditional Indy 500. This event features Oscar Mayer hot dogs on wheels racing around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The highlight of the event was the "Slaw Dog" emerging as the top winner.

Additional Note:

• Market Impact: The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a downturn, closing 256 points lower on the day.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of significant global and national events, ranging from international trade tensions and legal battles in higher education to tragic conflicts in Gaza and notable cultural happenings. The inclusion of personal stories and expert insights provided depth to each topic, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the pressing issues of the day.

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For more in-depth coverage, listeners are encouraged to consult the full podcast episode or visit NPR’s official website.

Transcript

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

This is FRESH AIR contributor Ann Marie Baldonado. I talked with actor Cole Escola about their hit Broadway play O Mary. Cole plays an unhinged alcoholic Mary Todd Lincoln, who's an aspiring cabaret performer. If that makes no sense, that's part of the point. You can find my interview on the FRESH AIR podcast.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. From President Trump is further complicating expectations about what his tariff policy toward the European Union will be. In the Oval Office this afternoon, reporters asked him about his social media post threatening higher levies on the EU and as NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben tells us, Trump repeated 50%.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Trump said he's not inclined to negotiate that 50% tariff downward.

[Donald Trump]

I'm not looking for a deal. I mean, we've set the deal. It's at 50%. But again, there is no tariff if they build their plant here.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

However, when asked if there is anything the EU can do to avoid those 50% tariffs, Trump said that he didn't know and would see what happens. Currently, the US tariff on goods from the EU is 10%. Trump said he would want the 50% tariff to start on June 1. Trump imposed an array of tariffs on countries worldwide in early April, then paused them for 90 days. That means many tariff rates could ratchet upwards this summer. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A federal judge has blocked the administration's attempt to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll international students. From Ever Station GBH in Boston, Kirk Carapeza reports.

[Kirk Carapeza]

Harvard filed the complaint after the Department of Homeland Security told the university it can't enroll foreign students because it failed to provide disciplinary records. Harvard called the move unlawful and retaliatory. The judge's temporary restraining order means the university can keep sponsoring international students for now. Carl Tobias teaches law at the University of Richmond. He says Harvard has a strong case.

[Carl Tobias]

This eviscerates the international aspect of what Harvard does so well, bringing in the best people from the world.

[Kirk Carapeza]

Despite the injunction, experts warn the administration's attacks on selective schools like Harvard could hurt US Higher ed for decades. For NPR News, I'm Kirk Carapeza in Boston.

[Lakshmi Singh]

An airstrike overnight In Gaza killed 50 people sheltering in one home. Israel says its new military offensive is aimed at eradicating Hamas. NPR, Zayabatrawi brings US reporting by NPR's Anis Baba. From the scene of the attack, 50.

[Aya Batarawi]

People from the Al Darduna family were killed when an Israeli fighter jet bombed their five story home as they slept. Around 20 bodies have been pulled out, several of them children. Relatives say another 30 are still missing and can't be reached. But this wasn't the only home bombed in this part of Jabalia, which is just outside an area Israel has ordered evacuated. While NPR's producer Anas Baba was documenting the rescue effort, another Israeli airstrike hit another home. Ayman Radwan, a resident of Jabalia, is among an estimated 10,000 people displaced across Gaza in the past 24 hours. He tells NPR he's leaving the north because there's no life here anymore. His shirt was stained with the blood of his aunt from an airstrike only hours earlier. Aya Batarawi, NPR News, Dubai.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr. A French court's found eight people guilty of robbing reality TV star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian nine years ago. Two people were acquitted today, but no one's facing prison time in light of time served in pretrial detention. Kardashian had testified that during Paris fashion week in 2016, robbers dress as police broke into her Paris hotel room, tied her up at gunpoint and made off with jewelry worth millions. The iconic musician Billy Joel is canceling all his scheduled concerts because of a medical diagnosis. Here's NPR's Jennifer Vanasco.

[Jennifer Vanasco]

A statement on Billy Joel's website says that he has a brain condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus. Excess fluid collects in the brain, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance. Joel is undergoing physical therapy and his doctor has advised him to stop performing while he recovers. The statement said he had been scheduled to perform concerts across the country with other artists, including Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks and Sting. Joel has been performing steadily since the 1970s. However, until recently, he hadn't released new pop music in decades. That drought ended early last year with his new single called Turn the Lights Back on, which he performed live at the Grammy Awards. Jennifer Vanasco, NPR News, New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

If the Indy 500 Sunday today was Weenie sculpture engine first ever Weenie 500, a fleet of Oscar Mayer hot dog on wheels facing or racing on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The top dog was slaw dog. The dow closes down 256 points. It's NPR.

[NPR]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to npr news now +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.