NPR News: 05-29-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 29, 2025

Release Date: May 29, 2025
Host: NPR
Duration: Approximately 5 Minutes

---

Harvard Faces Legal Challenges Amid Trump Administration Policies

Lakshmi Singh reports on Harvard University's ongoing legal battles against the Trump administration's attempts to cut deep funding and restrict the enrollment of international students. President Alan Garber received a standing ovation during graduation, symbolizing the university's resilience.

A federal judge has recently issued a preliminary injunction against the administration's efforts, signaling a significant victory for educational institutions nationwide. This injunction serves as a warning to other institutions contemplating non-compliance with Trump's directives. Additionally, new visa restrictions have impacted hundreds of thousands of Chinese students across the U.S., with Trump supporters citing national security concerns.

"President Garber received a lengthy standing ovation as the face of the university's landmark court battles against government interference."
[00:26]

Secretary Rubio Unveils Ambitious State Department Reorganization Plan

Michelle Kellerman delves into Secretary of State Marco Rubio's proposed reorganization plan aimed at streamlining the State Department. The plan includes significant staff cuts in areas such as human rights and democracy, shifting focus towards regional bureaus to enhance agility.

Rubio emphasizes the necessity for the State Department to "move at the speed of relevance" in today's fast-paced world. However, Democrats on Capitol Hill criticize the plan, arguing that these cuts may undermine U.S. standing and cede ground to adversaries like China. Notably, Rubio plans to take over the remnants of USAID, ensuring that passport and visa services remain unaffected as they are funded by fees.

"Secretary Rubio is making deep cuts, saying they are meant to make the State department more agile."
[01:36]

Federal Courts Block President Trump's Tariff Authority

In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, a specialized trade court has ruled unanimously that only Congress holds the authority to regulate trade and impose tariffs. This decision comes less than a day after the U.S. Court of International Trade dismissed most of Trump's tariff impositions.

A dozen states and five businesses had challenged the president's unilateral actions, leading to a decisive victory for the challengers. The Trump administration has vowed to appeal the decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets responded positively, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 65 points, the S&P by 14 points, and the Nasdaq by 45 points.

"Under the Constitution, it's Congress that has exclusive power to regulate trade and impose tariffs."
[02:34]

Wildfire Smoke Linked to Long-Term Cardiorespiratory Issues

Alejandra Barunda reports on a new study published in the journal Epidemiology that highlights the persistent health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure. The research indicates that individuals exposed to wildfire smoke are more likely to experience hospitalizations for heart and breathing problems up to three months after the initial exposure, with hypertension being particularly affected.

The study underscores the growing body of evidence connecting climate change to more intense and frequent wildfires, thereby exacerbating public health concerns related to air quality.

"Breathing in wildfire smoke contributed to hospitalizations for heart and breathing problems as long as three months after the smoke exposure."
[03:37]

Swiss Village Erased by Sudden Glacier Collapse

In a startling natural disaster, a Swiss village was completely destroyed by a massive glacier detachment. Eleanor Beardsley reports that scientists had predicted the disaster and evacuated all 300 residents of Blatten on May 19. Despite these precautions, a mile-long strip of ice, rock, and dirt several feet deep covered the village, leaving nothing behind.

Christophe Lambiel, a specialist in high mountain geology and glaciers, explained on RTS Swiss television that the glacier's detachment was the result of years of the rock face breaking off and adding weight and pressure until it ultimately collapsed.

"What happened is unthinkable. It's the catastrophic worst case scenario," said Christophe Lambiel.
[04:24]

---

This episode of NPR News Now provided insightful updates on significant national and international events, from educational institutions battling federal policies to natural disasters reshaping communities. For those seeking detailed accounts of economic, political, and environmental developments, this summary encapsulates the essential information delivered in today's broadcast.

Transcript

[Sarah Gonzalez]

Hey, it's Sarah Gonzalez. The economy has been in the news a lot lately. It's kind of always in the news, and Planet Money is always here to explain it. Each episode we tell a sometimes quirky, sometimes surprising, always interesting story that helps you better understand the economy. So when you hear something about cryptocurrency or where exactly your taxes go, Yas Aves. Listen to the Planet Money podcast from npr.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. It is graduation day at Harvard. Welcome President Alan Garber. Receiving a lengthy standing ovation as the face of the university's landmark court battles against government interference. Harvard is fighting against the Trump administration's deep funding cuts and attempts at blocking the school's ability to to enroll international students. Today, a federal judge said in court she would issue a preliminary injunction on the administration's efforts, efforts that are widely viewed as a warning to institutions across the US that do not comply with Trump's directives. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of Chinese students across the US Are affected by new visa restrictions. Trump supporters defend tighter procedures as a matter of national security. The spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry says the Trump White House is engaging in political discrimination. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sent his reorganization plan to Congress. He's making deep cuts, saying they are meant to make the State department more agile. NPR's Michelle Kellerman has details.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Secretary Rubio often complains about the bureaucracy at the State Department. Now he's giving Congress a look at his plan to streamline the org chart and cut staff drastically in some areas, like human rights and democracy. He's putting more of an emphasis on regional bureaus and says in today's world that the State Department must move at the speed of relevance. Democrats on Capitol Hill have argued that his cuts mean that the US Is ceding ground to US Adversaries, including China. The Trump administration has dismantled the lead U.S. aid agency, and Rubio is taking over what remains of usaid. There won't be cuts to passport and visa services, which are funded by fees. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A second federal courts block President Trump's authority to unilaterally impose tariffs. This less than a day after the US Court of International Trade ruled against most Trump tariffs. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The stakes are enormous.

[Sarah Gonzalez]

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 under the Constitution, it's Congress that has exclusive power to regulate trade and impose tariffs.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. The Trump administration says it will appeal the decision all the way to the U.S. supreme Court. U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow Jones industrial average up now 65 points at 42,164. The S&P has climbed 14 points and the Nasdaq is up 45 points. From Washington, this is NPR News. A new study finds that breathing in wildfire smoke raises the chances of cardiorespiratory problems long after the smoke has cleared. Here's NPR's Alejandro Barunda.

[Sarah Gonzalez]

New research published in the journal Epidemiology found that breathing in wildfire smoke contributed to hospitalizations for heart and breathing problems as long as three months after the smoke exposure, especially for hypertension. It's another study in the growing body of research showing that smoke can have long term health impacts. In the study, the researchers point out that climate change is making wildfires and their smoke more intense.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's Alejandra Barunda reporting. A Swiss village was wiped from the map Wednesday after a massive glacier carrying rock and debris detached and roared down the mountainside, destroying everything in its path. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that scientists predicted the coming disaster and had evacu the entire village.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Video footage of the glacier and rock roaring down the mountainside went viral Wednesday afternoon as the natural disaster unfolded. The 300 residents of Blatten were evacuated on May 19. A mile long strip of ice, rock and dirt several feet deep now covers their village. What happened is unthinkable. It's the catastrophic worst case scenario, said Christophe Lambiel, a specialist in high mountain geology and glaciers. Speaking on RTS Swiss television, Lambiel said the glacier detached because the rock face had been breaking off and falling into it for years, adding weight and pressure until it finally collapsed.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's NPR's owner Beardsley.

[Sarah Gonzalez]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or.