NPR News: 05-24-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary for Episode Released on May 24, 2025

NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines in a concise format, updated hourly. In the episode released on May 24, 2025, host Dan Ronan covers a range of significant national and international news stories. This summary provides an in-depth overview of the key topics discussed, incorporating notable quotes with timestamps for clarity.

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1. President Trump’s Threat to Increase EU Tariffs

[00:18]
Dan Ronan opens the episode with a report on President Donald Trump’s unwavering stance on imposing higher tariffs on the European Union (EU). Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump reiterated his position, stating, “I am not looking for a deal. I mean, we’ve set the deal. It’s at 50%” (00:18). This announcement signals a significant escalation in trade tensions between the U.S. and EU.

[00:37]
NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben provides additional context, explaining that Trump has previously implemented tariffs via executive actions. In early April, he introduced 20% tariffs on EU goods, which were later reduced to the current rate of 10%. The latest proposal for a straight 50% tariff, effective June 1, 2025, underscores the President’s hardline approach, leaving the EU with limited negotiating leverage.

2. Trump’s Executive Orders on Nuclear Power

[01:09]
Dan Ronan transitions to environmental and energy policy, highlighting Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at revitalizing the nuclear power sector. NPR’s Jeff Renfield reports on the measures, which include initiatives to build new test reactors and expand uranium mining.

[01:19]
Renfield notes that the most contentious aspect of the orders involves restructuring the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The President’s directives call for expedited approval processes and a reevaluation of radiation safety standards.

[01:46]
Allison McFarlane, a former NRC chair, voices strong opposition: “I’m very concerned this will affect nuclear safety in the US... Very concerned” (01:46). She warns that White House interference could undermine the NRC’s role as an independent regulatory body.

[01:50]
Supporters argue that these changes will accelerate the development of new reactors essential for powering emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence data centers.

3. Mourning of a Young Couple at a Jewish Museum

[02:02]
Dan Ronan brings attention to a tragic event where a young couple was fatally shot outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Both victims were employed at the Israeli embassy and were anticipating their engagement.

[02:17]
Allison McFarlane describes the memorial gathering hosted by the American Jewish Committee, which began with traditional Jewish prayers and the recitation of the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew. Sam Drymon reminisces about Sarah Milgram’s dedication, emphasizing her commitment: “When the country is in the middle of a conflict, it’s someone who is... Curious, who’s filled to the brim with optimism” (02:34).

[02:37]
Benji Rogers, present at the event with the victims, recounts their plans to move in together: “They were planning to move in together soon. It’s important for me to let you all know that he was happy and his last moments were filled with joy” (02:37). The gathering also included expressions of gratitude for the community’s support during this difficult time.

4. Cuts to the White House National Security Council

[02:58]
President Trump has initiated significant reductions to the White House’s National Security Council (NSC) team. Dan Ronan reveals that dozens of foreign and national security experts were dismissed on Friday, with one division’s staff shrinking from 10 to five members.

5. International Incidents: Hamburg Stabbing and Paris Court Verdict

[02:58]
Ronan also reports on a violent incident in Hamburg, where multiple individuals were injured in a stabbing attack at a central train station. Several victims are in life-threatening conditions.

[03:48]
In Paris, a court has delivered guilty verdicts to several individuals involved in the 2016 armed robbery of reality TV star Kim Kardashian during Paris Fashion Week. NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley details the case, noting that the perpetrators’ mistakes led to their quick capture. Four defendants received sentences of up to eight years, mostly suspended, while two were acquitted. The ringleader, a 69-year-old mute and deaf individual, had been caught through wiretapped communications. Kardashian has publicly forgiven him following a heartfelt apology letter. The judge acknowledged the defendants' understanding of their wrongdoing as a reason for the lenient sentencing.

6. Stock Market Reaction to Tariff Announcements

[04:30]
The episode concludes with a report on the stock market’s reaction to the anticipated tariffs. President Trump’s announcement has led to a slump on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 261 points (down 6.10%), the NASDAQ declining by 188 points (1.1%), and the S&P 500 falling 39 points (less than 1%) (04:30). Traders are closely monitoring the potential economic impact of the heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and EU.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates pivotal events shaping the political, economic, and social landscape, providing listeners with comprehensive insights into President Trump’s policies, tragic incidents affecting communities, and noteworthy judicial outcomes. The inclusion of direct quotes and precise timestamps ensures an accurate and engaging recount of the day’s top stories.

Transcript

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[Dan Ronan]

News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump is showing no signs of budging on his threat to raise tariffs on the European Union. I'm not looking for a deal. I mean, we've set the deal. It's at 50%. Trump speaking at the White House Friday on his demands to the EU. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has details.

[NPR Reporter]

President Trump wrote that trade discussions with the EU were going nowhere. He added that therefore, quote, I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union starting on June 1, 2025, as the President has previously imposed tariffs via executive actions. It is unclear what he meant when he said he was recommending new tariffs. In early April, Trump announced 20% tariffs on EU goods as part of a wave of higher tariffs on most countries. He later pulled those back, and the EU rate currently stands at 10%.

[Dan Ronan]

President Trump has signed executive orders aimed at giving a boost to nuclear power. As NPR's Jeff Renfield reports, some worry the orders could affect safety at American reactors.

[Jeff Renfield]

Some of the orders encouraged the building of new test reactors and mining uranium. But the most controversial calls for the reorganization of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC was set up as a powerful independent watchdog. Trump's executive order calls on it to speed approvals and reconsider radiation safety standards. Allison McFarlane is a former NRC chair. She says having the White House interfere with nuclear regulations is a bad idea.

[Allison McFarlane]

I'm very concerned this will affect nuclear safety in the US Very concerned.

[Jeff Renfield]

But supporters of the order say it will help speed development of new reactors that could power things like data centers used for artificial intelligence. Jeff Brabant, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

Jewish organizations gathered virtually Friday to mourn the young couple shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington this Week. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports. They both worked at the Israeli embassy and expected to become engaged soon.

[Allison McFarlane]

The American Jewish Committee hosted the gathering, opening with Jewish prayers and the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew. Sam Drymon remembered Sarah Milgram's sense of mission who takes a job at the Israeli embassy. He said when the country's in the middle of a conflict, it's someone who's.

[Jeff Renfield]

Curious, who's filled to the brim with optimism.

[Allison McFarlane]

Benji Rogers was at the museum event with Sarah and Jeroen Leshinsky. He said they were planning to move in together soon. It's important for me to let you all know that he was happy and his last moments were filled with joy. Another speaker expressed gratitude for an outpouring of sorrow and support. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Dan Ronan]

President Trump is ordering deep cuts to the White House's National Security Council team. And NPR has learned that dozens of foreign and national security experts were let go Friday. One official said the headcount in one division went from 10 staffers to five. From Washington, this is NPR. German authorities say multiple people have been injured after a stabbing attack this at a busy central train station in the city of Hamburg. Some of those that are reported to be wounded are in a life threatening condition. A Paris court has handed down guilty verdicts to several of the thieves who robbed reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during Paris fashion week in 2016, making off with millions of dollars in jewelry. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Their bungling led to their capture within months. Four were given sentences of up to eight years, mostly suspended and with time already served, will not return to prison. Two were acquitted. The ringleader is now 69 years old, mute and deaf. Wiretaps had captured him giving orders, recruiting accomplices and arranging to sell the diamonds. But Kardashian said she forgave him after he wrote her a letter of apology. The sentences handed out on Friday were much lower than prosecutors were seeking. The judge told the defendants he had given lenient sentences because, quote, unquote, I understand that you understand that you have caused harm. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Dan Ronan]

Stocks slumped Friday on Wall street. This after traders took stock of President Trump's threatened tariffs against the European Union nations. The Dow Jones lost 261 points. That's a drop of 6, 10 of 1%. The NASDAQ dropped 188 points, a 1 point percent decline. The S&P sustained a dip of 39 points, down less than 1 point. From Washington, this is NPR News.

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