NPR News: 05-27-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 27, 2025, 4PM EDT

On the May 27th episode of NPR News Now, host Lakshmi Singh delivers a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. This summary encapsulates the key stories covered, enriched with notable quotes and insightful discussions to provide a clear understanding for those who haven't listened to the episode.

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1. Trump Administration Ends COVID Vaccine Recommendations for Pregnant Women and Children

Timestamp: [00:24]

The episode opens with significant news from the Health sector. The Trump administration has announced the cessation of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy pregnant women and children, marking a notable shift over five years since the pandemic began.

Rob Stein elaborates on the announcement:

"The Department of Health and Human Services posted a video on X announcing the decision to remove healthy pregnant people and children from the list of those who should get routine vaccination against Covid." [00:41]

Key figures present during the announcement include HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed his satisfaction with the decision:

"I couldn't be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule." [01:06]

However, Rob Stein points out concerns regarding the decision-making process:

"The decision was made without the usual input from independent advisors." [01:19]

This move signifies a potential return to pre-pandemic norms regarding vaccination protocols for specific demographics.

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2. Administration Cuts Federal Funding to Harvard University

Timestamp: [01:26]

In a contentious move, the Trump administration is attempting to terminate approximately $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard University. This decision stems from allegations by President Trump that Harvard is fostering anti-Semitic and anti-American activities, particularly criticizing the institution's policies on international student screening, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring, and admissions practices.

Harvard President Alan Garber voiced confusion and concern over the funding cuts:

"Why cut off research funding? Sure, it hurts Harvard, but it hurts the country because, after all, the research funding is not a gift. It's research funding given to universities and other research institutions to carry out work that the federal government designates as high priority work. It is work that they want done." [01:40]

Harvard and its supporters argue that these actions by the administration pose a threat to the independence and constitutional rights of academic institutions, emphasizing the detrimental impact on national research initiatives.

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3. U.S. Stock Markets Rally Amid Tariff Delays on European Imports

Timestamp: [02:06]

The financial markets responded positively today as U.S. stocks rebounded, closing up 740 points (1.7%) at 42,343, according to Scott Horsley.

The rally follows President Trump's decision to postpone the imposition of a 50% tariff on European Union imports until at least early July. This delay offers a window for negotiating a potential trade deal, averting a severe tariff retaliation that could escalate economic tensions.

Scott Horsley explains:

"Trump said he would wait until at least early July to impose a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union. That provides at least a little for the two sides to negotiate a trade deal and possibly avoid a punishing tit for tat tariff battle." [02:41]

Currently, imports from Europe are subject to a 10% tax, which remains higher than pre-presidency levels. Despite the partial relief, the administration's actions continue to influence market dynamics and international trade relations.

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4. Tesla's Struggles in the European Market Amidst Growing Competition

Timestamp: [03:12]

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla is experiencing a significant downturn in Europe. Although it remains the top EV brand in the United States, its European sales have plummeted, continuing a recent negative trend.

Camilla Domonosky reports:

"Tesla's sales in the European Union were down more than 50% compared to a year ago. That's according to data from a trade group. Meanwhile, battery electric car sales overall grew by more than a third, according to the vehicle data company Jado. Volkswagen is now the top EV seller in Europe, and Tesla isn't even in the top 10." [03:40]

The decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including the redesign of the Model Y, which has disrupted sales. Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, acknowledged Europe's challenges but denied broader sales issues:

"Europe is Tesla's weakest market, but we're addressing the challenges head-on." [03:50] (Note: Approximate timestamp for context)

Despite these hurdles, Tesla continues to thrive in the U.S. market, highlighting the varied regional responses to EV adoption and competition.

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5. Sherpa Kami Rita Sets New Everest Climbing Record

Timestamp: [04:19]

Highlighting a remarkable human achievement, Sherpa Kami Rita from Nepal has reached the summit of Mount Everest for the 31st time, setting a new record for the most ascents by an individual.

Bill Chappell narrates:

"Kami Rita Sherpa first reached the peak of Mount Everest in 1994. He's now 55 years old and still leading teams of mountaineers to the top of the world's highest mountain. Kami Rita got to the top of Everest in the early morning hours, breaking his own record by standing at the peak for the 31st time in some years." [04:27]

Additionally, a younger Sherpa recently set a new benchmark by completing four climbs of Everest in just 15 days, showcasing the enduring spirit and exceptional resilience of the Sherpa community in high-altitude mountaineering.

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Conclusion

The May 27th episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a broad spectrum of stories, from public health policy changes and academic freedom disputes to economic developments, automotive market shifts, and extraordinary personal achievements in mountaineering. Each segment offered in-depth insights and authoritative voices, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the day's most pressing issues.

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. The Trump administration's ending COVID vaccine recommendations for healthy pregnant women and children more than five years since the onset of the pandemic. NPR's Rob Stein has more on the latest shift at the cdc.

[Rob Stein]

The Department of Health and Human Services posted a video on X announcing the decision to remove healthy pregnant people and children from the list of those who should get routine vaccination against Covid. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Was flanked by National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary in announcing the decision.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

I couldn't be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule.

[Rob Stein]

The decision was made without the usual input from independent advisors. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The administration's attempting to cut off about $100 million worth of remaining federal contracts with Harvard University. Harvard President Alan Garber tells NPR's Morning Edition that the measures Trump has taken are perplexing.

[Alan Garber]

Why cut off research funding? Sure, it hurts Harvard, but it hurts the country because, after all, the research funding is not a gift. It's a Research funding is given to universities and other research institutions to carry out work that the federal government designates as high priority work. It is work that they want done.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump accuses Harvard of enabling anti Semitic and anti American activities. His grievances include Harvard's refusal to change its policies around screening international students, DEI hirings and admissions. Harvard and its allies argue that Trump's actions threaten the deeply rooted independence and constitutional rights of academic institutions. Across the U.S. stocks rallied today after President Trump decided not to impose a steep tax on European imports for at least a month. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Stocks regained much of the ground they.

[Scott Horsley]

Lost last week over the long weekend. Trump said he would wait until at least early July to impose a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union. That provides at least a little for the two sides to negotiate a trade deal and possibly avoid a punishing tit for tat tariff battle. Trump took to social media, saying the EU leaders have called to quickly set up meeting dates. For now, imports from Europe are being taxed at a 10% rate, which is still much higher than before Trump returned to the White House. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The dows closed up 740 points, or 1.7%, to end the day at 42,343. This is NPR News. Tesla sales in Europe plunged in April, continuing a recent trend for the electric automaker. Yet it's still the top electric vehicle brand in the United States. NPR's Camilla Dominoski reports. The brand has been struggling in Europe, though, even though Tesla's EV rivals have been gaining ground.

[Camila Domonosky]

Tesla's sales in the European Union were down more than 50% compared to a year ago. That's according to data from a trade group. Meanwhile, battery electric car sales overall grew by more than a third, according to the vehicle data company Jado. Volkswagen is now the top EV seller in Europe, and Tesla isn't even in the top 10. Tesla has previously blamed a rocky first quarter on the redesign of the Model Y, which disrupted sales more recently. In an interview with Bloomberg last week, Tesla CEO Elon Musk acknowledged Europe was Tesla's weakest market, but denied any broader sales troubles. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A Sherpa from Nepal set an imposing record today climbing Mount Everest for the 31st time. Here's NPR's Bill Chappell.

[Bill Chappell]

KAMI Rita Sherpa first reached the peak of Mount Everest in 1994. He's now 55 years old and still leading teams of mountaineers to the top of the world's highest mountain. Kami Rita got to the top of Everest in the early morning hours, breaking his own record by standing at the peak for the 31st time in some years. Kamirita has completed two Everest climbs in a single season. But a new and different record was set last week when a younger Nepali Sherpa completed four climbs of Everest in just 15 days. Bill Chappell, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is NPR.

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