NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 05-23-2025 8PM EDT
Release Date: May 24, 2025
Host: NPR

1. Administration's Trade Policy Threatens EU Imports and U.S. Smartphone Industry

Jack Speier opens the episode by highlighting President Donald Trump's latest threats to escalate trade tensions. The administration has proposed a 50% tax on all imports from the European Union and a 25% tariff on smartphones, contingent on their manufacture within the United States.

Scott Horsley provides further analysis, stating, “Up until now, smartphones have been largely spared from the president's trade war. So a 25% tax would be a big escalation if it actually happened, but probably not big enough to actually move iPhone manufacturing into the U.S.” (00:45). He elaborates that if Apple attempted to manufacture iPhones domestically, the cost per unit could soar to approximately $3,500, making them significantly more expensive than their imported counterparts despite the tariff.

2. White House National Security Council Undergoes Major Restructure

In a significant development within the White House, Jack Speier reports that President Trump is implementing a major restructuring of the National Security Council (NSC). This move involves reducing both the size and scope of the NSC, thereby diminishing its influence during the Biden administration. Previously, the NSC, comprising over 300 staff members, managed critical geopolitical issues ranging from the situation in Ukraine to tensions in Kashmir.

“There are reports today dozens of staffers were sent termination notices,” Speier notes, emphasizing the rapid changes facing the NSC (01:11). The NSC has traditionally been the primary body for coordinating national security efforts among presidents, making this downsizing a pivotal shift in U.S. security policy management.

3. Uncertainty for Harvard's International Students Amid Visa Issues

The episode shifts focus to the academic realm, where Emily Piper Villillo from WBUR discusses the turmoil faced by international students at Harvard University. The Trump administration initially decreed that international students could no longer attend the university. However, a judge intervened with a temporary restraining order, halting this mandate.

“"If you saw that letter issued by the Department of Homeland Security, it said that it's effective immediately so students would have to find other schools or transfer somewhere else or leave the country,"” shares an unnamed DHS official quoted by Villillo (02:19).

Matt, a graduate student at Harvard, expresses his anxieties: “I had just heard about the judge's temporary restraining order when I bumped into him and said the News was reassuring,” Villillo recounts (02:30). Despite the legal reprieve, the atmosphere on campus remains tense, with students uncertain about their futures.

4. Boeing Reaches $1.1 Billion Settlement with Justice Department Over 737 Max

Jack Speier reports that aerospace giant Boeing has agreed to a settlement with the Justice Department to avoid criminal prosecution related to the 737 Max jetliner fiasco. The deal mandates Boeing to invest more than $1.1 billion in proportionate returns. In exchange, the Justice Department will dismiss the criminal case against the company.

However, this settlement faces opposition from the families of the two 737 Max crashes that resulted in 346 fatalities. The market reacted negatively to the news, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 256 points.

5. Trump Administration Approves Nippon Steel's Stake in U.S. Steel

In international business news, the Trump administration has announced that a partnership between U.S. steel and Japan-based Nippon Steel will proceed. This decision marks a reversal from the previous stance under the Biden administration, which had blocked Nippon's $15 billion bid to acquire the iconic U.S. steelmaker.

A statement from President Trump indicated ambiguity regarding his approval of Nippon Steel's acquisition: "The administration says that what's under a partnership between U.S. steel and Japan based Nippon Steel will remain in place but will be allowed to move forward" (03:00). As of now, neither U.S. Steel nor Nippon Steel has provided immediate comments on the development.

6. United Airlines and Flight Attendants Tentatively Agree on New Contract

Andrea Hsu from NPR covers the ongoing negotiations between United Airlines and its flight attendants. After four years of discussions, a tentative agreement has been reached concerning a new contract. The deal encompasses several key areas:

• Financial Gains: Flight attendants are projected to receive a 40% increase in the first year of the new contract.
• Signing Bonuses: The contract includes signing bonuses for cabin crews.
• Work-Life Improvements: Enhanced scheduling and quality of life provisions have been agreed upon.

Union leadership representing approximately 28,000 flight attendants will decide next week whether to present the agreement to their members for a final vote. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby praised the workforce, stating, “[They] have earned an industry leading contract,” emphasizing the company's commitment to its employees (03:50).

7. Billy Joel Cancels Summer Tour Due to Health Concerns

In entertainment news, legendary singer Billy Joel has announced the cancellation of his planned summer tour. Following a decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden concluded last year, Joel faced health challenges that necessitated this decision.

In a social media post, the 76-year-old artist revealed his diagnosis of fluid buildup in the brain, which has adversely affected his hearing, vision, and balance. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this condition can also impair concentration and memory, further impacting his ability to perform and tour.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Horsley (00:45): “Up until now, smartphones have been largely spared from the president's trade war. So a 25% tax would be a big escalation if it actually happened, but probably not big enough to actually move iPhone manufacturing into the U.S.”

• Unnamed DHS Official (02:19): “If you saw that letter issued by the Department of Homeland Security, it said that it's effective immediately so students would have to find other schools or transfer somewhere else or leave the country.”

• United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby (03:50): “[They] have earned an industry leading contract.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode released on May 24, 2025. From trade policies and national security restructuring to significant corporate agreements and health-related cancellations in the entertainment industry, the episode provided a wide-ranging overview of pressing national and international issues.