NPR News Now: May 29, 2025, 12 PM EDT Summary

Legal Battle Over International Students at Harvard

NPR News Now opened with a significant legal confrontation involving the Trump administration and Harvard University. Host Lakshmi Singh reported that lawyers from both the Trump administration and Harvard are contesting the president's attempt to halt the enrollment of international students at the prestigious Ivy League institution. A federal judge has extended a temporary order that blocks the administration's efforts, ensuring that Harvard can continue admitting students from abroad.

Miriam Feldblom, CEO of the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, emphasized the critical role of international students. At [00:42], she stated, “International students make up more than a quarter of Harvard University's student body... international students are essential to the global and domestic talent pipeline that colleges and universities, including Harvard, are creating.” Feldblom warned that the pause in student visa interviews could jeopardize the financial stability of not only Harvard but also other institutions like Illinois Tech and Carnegie Mellon, which rely heavily on international tuition fees. Critics argue that such measures could undermine the global competitiveness of these universities.

Trump’s Tariffs Blocked by U.S. Trade Court

In another major development, NPR News Now covered a setback for President Trump's trade policies. At [01:27], Lakshmi Singh introduced the story, highlighting that the U.S. Court of International Trade delivered a decisive blow to the administration's use of sweeping tariffs intended to pressure other countries into renegotiating trade deals.

NPR’s Scott Horsley elaborated at [01:39], “A dozen states and five businesses challenged the president's authority to unilaterally levy those taxes. And last night, a specialized trade court handed those challengers a decisive victory.” The unanimous three-judge panel ruled that only Congress holds the constitutional power to regulate trade and impose tariffs. Despite the administration's intention to appeal the decision, this ruling marks a significant limitation on presidential authority in trade matters.

Russia Proposes New Peace Talks with Ukraine

The international arena is abuzz with new developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. At [01:59], Lakshmi Singh reported that Russia is seeking to initiate another round of peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey. This proposal emerges amidst heightened tensions, as President Trump has intensified his criticism of Russia following recent attacks on Ukraine.

Charles Maynes from NPR provided further details at [02:18], quoting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: “Moscow would present a written memorandum with proposals for a future peace accord and hoped Ukraine would embrace the negotiations.” Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s demands that any peace agreement must address the "root causes of the conflict," a phrase widely interpreted as Moscow seeking significant influence over Ukraine’s future. Concurrently, President Trump has hinted at the possibility of easing sanctions on Russia if it facilitates a peace deal, although skepticism remains regarding Moscow’s true intentions.

Israel Expands West Bank Settlements

In Middle Eastern news, NPR News Now reported Israel's plans to expand settlements in the West Bank, a move that has sparked international controversy. Israel intends to establish 22 new outposts in the occupied Palestinian territory, a decision most countries view as illegal under international law. However, Israel disputes this characterization.

Defense Minister Israel Katz defended the expansion at [02:51], stating, “Our government is making a strategic move to protect Israeli security by preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state.” This expansion is seen as a significant escalation in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with potential implications for regional stability and peace efforts.

U.S. Economic Indicators Show Mixed Signals

Turning to domestic economics, NPR News Now highlighted recent U.S. economic data indicating a rise in unemployment claims. The government reported a 14,000 increase, bringing total claims to 240,000 for the week of May 17. Consequently, the number of individuals on unemployment benefits stands just under 2 million. This uptick in claims exceeds expectations and suggests potential challenges in the labor market, although broader economic impacts remain to be seen.

Elon Musk Steps Back from Advisory Role with President Trump

In corporate news, billionaire Elon Musk publicly announced the conclusion of his advisory role with President Trump. Lakshmi Singh relayed that Musk had previously committed to reducing his government involvement to focus more on his ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s departure marks the end of his leadership in the Department of Government Efficiency, where he aimed to restructure federal operations.

Oklahoma City Thunder Advances to NBA Finals

Sports enthusiasts were treated to exciting news from the NBA. NPR’s Becky Sullivan provided an in-depth report on the Oklahoma City Thunder's advancement to the Finals. In a commanding performance, the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals with a score of 2494 in the first quarter [04:10]. Sullivan noted, “Everything went wrong for the Timberwolves, who managed only nine points,” leading to a halftime lead of 33 points for Oklahoma City.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the Thunder’s star player, was lauded as the Most Valuable Player, scoring 34 points and receiving overwhelming support from the crowd. The Thunder, boasting the NBA's best regular-season record this year, now await the outcome of the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Indiana Pacers hold a three-three lead over the New York Knicks.

Market Update: Dow Falls by 185 Points

Concluding the update, Lakshmi Singh reported a downturn in the stock market. “The Dow is down 185 points,” she stated, reflecting the day's volatility and investor concerns amid the various economic and geopolitical developments.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from NPR News Now's episode on May 29, 2025, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the day's major news stories.