NPR News: 05-24-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of the May 24, 2025 Episode

Release Date: May 25, 2025

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1. Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange and Missile Attacks

Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with significant developments in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. On the second day of a prisoner swap, Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners, marking a pivotal moment in their strained relations.

Shortly after the exchange, Russia intensified its military actions by launching a combined ballistic missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight. This assault resulted in injuries to at least 15 individuals. Hanna Palamorenko provides on-the-ground reporting from Kyiv:

"In Kyiv, emergency services worked to clear rubble and extinguish fires. According to the Kyiv city administration, it was one of the largest attacks on the capital." (00:38)

Yuri Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, commented on the nature of the attacks:

"The Russians have modernized their ballistic missiles, making them harder to intercept." (00:38)

These advancements in missile technology pose significant challenges for Ukraine's defense mechanisms, escalating the conflict’s intensity.

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2. U.S.-Canada Relations Amid Tariff Disputes

Transitioning to international diplomacy, Jeanine Herbst reports on U.S. Senators visiting Ottawa to address strained relations caused by President Trump's tariff policies. Michelle Kellerman elaborates on the diplomatic efforts:

"This was an opportunity to meet very early with the new prime minister. In fact, we're the first Senate delegation to meet with this prime minister, the first delegation to get on the ground after our new Ambassador Hoekstra arrived." (01:34)

Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, emphasizes the significance of the delegation's composition:

"It was helpful to have Pete Hoekstra and Senator Kevin Kramer, a Republican from North Dakota, there. They’re close to Trump and were able to respond to Canada's concerns about the administration's approach to a key trading partner and neighbor." (01:49)

This high-level engagement aims to mitigate trade tensions and restore cooperative relations between the neighboring countries.

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3. Legal Battle Over the U.S. Copyright Office Leadership

In a significant legal development, Jeanine Herbst discusses the lawsuit filed by Sheri Perlmutter, the recently dismissed head of the U.S. Copyright Office. Andrew Limbong provides detailed coverage:

"Neither the president nor his appointee as acting librarian of Congress, Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, have the authority to remove Perlmutter as head of the copyright office." (02:27)

Perlmutter contends that her firing was unlawful, especially following the publication of a critical report on generative AI by the Copyright Office. The report concluded that while some uses of copyrighted material in AI training fall under fair use, others necessitate licensing. Her dismissal came shortly after these findings, raising questions about the administration's motives and compliance with legal protocols.

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4. Billy Joel Cancels Concerts Due to Health Concerns

Shifting to the music industry, Jeanine Herbst shares the news that legendary musician Billy Joel has canceled all his upcoming concerts. Sidney Lupkin explains Joel's medical condition:

"Normal pressure hydrocephalus happens when there's a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid putting pressure on the brain. Symptoms include problems walking, cognitive issues and urinary incontinence." (03:32)

Despite being treatable, this condition is often misdiagnosed, especially in individuals over 60, as its symptoms can mimic normal aging. Early diagnosis is crucial, and treatment typically involves surgical intervention to drain the excess fluid. Joel's decision underscores the importance of prioritizing health over professional commitments.

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5. Commemorating the Uvalde School Shooting Anniversary

Lastly, Jeanine Herbst addresses the solemn observances marking three years since the tragic robbery-induced massacre at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The shooting resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers. Critical reflections include the delayed response by law enforcement:

"It took 77 minutes for police standing outside the room where the gunman killed the children and teachers to enter." (04:14)

The aftermath saw significant administrative changes, including the firing of the police chief three months post-attack due to the criticized slow response. In a move towards healing, the Uvalde City Council recently approved a $2 million settlement with the families of the victims and declared May 24 as an annual day of remembrance. This collective memory aims to honor those lost and foster community resilience.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of pressing global and national issues, ensuring listeners stay informed with comprehensive reporting and insightful analysis.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners today, the second day of the swap this as Russia launched a combined ballistic missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, injuring at least 15 people. NPR's Hanna Palamorenko has more.

[Hanna Palamorenko]

In Kyiv, emergency services worked to clear rubble and extinguish fires. According to the Kyiv city administration, it was one of the largest attacks on the capital. Yuri Hhnat is a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force. The main means of air attack was directed at the capital from different directions, he said. Ihnat added that the Russians have modernized their ballistic missiles, making them harder to intercept. Hanna Polomarenko, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Senators from several states bordering Canada traveled to Ottawa to talk about ways to get relations back on track amid President Trump's tariff war. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.

[Jeanne Shaheen]

The ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, says it was a quick and helpful trip.

[Michelle Kellerman]

This was an opportunity to meet very early with the new prime minister. In fact, we're the first Senate delegation to meet with this prime minister, the first delegation to get on the ground after our new Ambassador Hoekstra arrived.

[Jeanne Shaheen]

And she says it was helpful to have Pete Hoekstra and Senator Kevin Kramer, a Republican from North Dakota, there. She says they're close to Trump and were able to respond to Canada's concerns about the administration's approach to a key trading partner and neighbor. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Sheri Perlmutter, the fired head of the U.S. copyright Office, is suing the Trump administration, saying the ouster was illegal. NPR's Andrew Limbong reports. The firing came shortly after the Copyright Office published its much anticipated report on.

[Andrew Limbong]

Generative and the US Copyright Office exists within the Library of Congress. And shortly after the Trump administration fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Earlier this month, Perlmutter was also fired via email. In the lawsuit filed Thursday, Perlmutter argued that neither the president nor his appointee as acting librarian of Congress, Deputy U.S. attorney General Todd Blanche, have the authority to remove Perlmutter as head of the copyright office. The office advises Congress on matters of copyright. And earlier this month, the office published the third part of its report on Generative A, which stated that while some uses of copyrighted materials to train AI fall under fair use Other uses would require licensing. Andrew Limbong, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Billy Joel has canceled all of his scheduled concerts after he was recently diagnosed with a brain condition. NPR's Sidney Lupkin reports. This condition is treatable, but it often goes undiagnosed.

[Sidney Lupkin]

Normal pressure hydrocephalus happens when there's a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid putting pressure on the brain. Symptoms include problems walking, cognitive issues and urinary incontinence. But because it's often diagnosed in people over 60, those symptoms can be mistaken for normal signs of aging, sometimes for years. So advocating for testing is often key for getting a diagnosis. The condition is treatable, especially if it's caught early. Surgery involves drilling a hole in the skull and inserting a tube that drains the fluid and redesigns directs it to be absorbed elsewhere in the body, usually the abdomen. A less invasive surgery is being studied in clinical trials. Sydney Lupkin, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Memorials and vigils are being held today marking three years since the Rob Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 students and two teachers dead. It took 77 minutes for police standing outside the room where the gunman killed the children and teachers to enter. Then police chief was fired three months after the attack. Because of the slow response to the shooting. Last month, the Uvalde City Council unanimously approved a $2 million settlement with the victims families that calls for the city to establish May 24 as an annual day of remembrance. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Amazon Business]

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