NPR News: 05-29-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: May 29, 2025, 5 PM EDT – Comprehensive Summary

NPR News Now delivers the latest global headlines in an engaging and detailed format. On May 29, 2025, the episode covered significant developments ranging from U.S. trade policies and international ceasefire proposals to educational policies, market updates, tributes to influential figures, and environmental concerns. Below is a structured summary of the key topics discussed.

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1. Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Restores President Trump's Tariffs

The episode opened with a critical update on U.S. trade policies involving President Donald Trump.

Key Developments:

• A federal appeals court has reinstated President Trump's authority to impose extensive new tariffs, overriding a recent ruling by the Court of International Trade that deemed some of Trump's tariffs as overreaching his executive power.
• This decision has injected further uncertainty into Trump's trade agenda, as legal battles continue to unfold.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary [01:11]:
  "Ultimately, the Supreme Court must put an end to this for the sake of our Constitution and our country."

• Franco Ordonez, NPR Reporter [01:17]:
  "The US cannot function if the president is hindered by, in her words, activist judges."

Analysis: The White House maintains that judicial interference threatens the functionality of the executive branch, emphasizing the necessity for the Supreme Court to resolve these disputes to uphold constitutional integrity.

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2. U.S. Proposes Temporary Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

The podcast detailed diplomatic efforts to mediate a temporary ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Key Developments:

• The White House announced that Israel has accepted a U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, although official confirmation from Israel remains pending.
• The proposal, crafted by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump, seeks to de-escalate tensions and foster a path toward lasting peace.

Responses:

• Hamas has expressed a desire to study the proposal further, indicating a cautious openness to dialogue.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas.
• Hamas counters with demands for additional prisoner releases, a durable ceasefire, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Court Rulings on Harvard's International Student Enrollment:

• In a separate yet related development, federal courts delivered dual victories for Harvard University by blocking President Trump's attempts to restrict the enrollment of international students.
• Windsor Johnston, NPR Reporter [02:23]:
  "International students make up a significant portion of programs in computer science and engineering at U.S. Universities."

Expert Insights:

• Miriam Feldblom, Global Education and Immigration Specialist [02:49]:
  "And given that most American students don't go on study abroad, welcoming international students on campus enables more American students to better prepare for the global world."

Impact: The decisions uphold Harvard's ability to continue enrolling international students, which is vital for sustaining innovation and economic growth within U.S. educational institutions.

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3. Market Update: U.S. Stock Indexes Close Higher Amid Tariff Uncertainty

The financial markets showed resilience despite ongoing uncertainties related to trade tariffs.

Key Highlights:

• Major U.S. stock indexes closed higher on the day, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 117 points.
• The rally, which began overseas, experienced some setbacks in the U.S. due to confusion over the Trump administration's tariff policies.

Commodity Prices:

• Crude Oil Futures: Dropped by 90 cents to $60.94 per barrel in New York as investors navigate the complexities of a shifting global economic landscape.

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4. Tribute to Kenyan Author Gugiwathi Ngo

In a heartfelt remembrance, NPR honored the life and legacy of Gugiwathi Ngo, a prominent Kenyan author and advocate.

Life and Achievements:

• Gugiwathi Ngo, who passed away at 87, was a vocal critic of British colonialism and a passionate proponent of African languages.
• His literary repertoire includes novels, poetry, memoirs, and critical essays, making him a staple figure in African literature.

Notable Events:

• In 1977, Ngo co-wrote a play in his native language that critiqued the Kenyan government, resulting in a one-year imprisonment—a testament to his unwavering commitment to free expression.

Notable Quotes:

• Gugiwathi Ngo [03:58]:
  "And that contradiction was so strong and the questions that it raised became very, very important to me."

• Gugiwathi Ngo during NPR Interview, 2019 [04:07]:
  "And I realized the oppressor always the first thing they do is take away the language of the oppressed."

Legacy: Recognized globally and a perennial Nobel Prize contender, Ngo's contributions continue to inspire discussions on language, oppression, and cultural identity.

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5. Swiss Alpine Village Devastated by Glacier-Induced Landslide

Environmental concerns took center stage with reports of a catastrophic landslide in Switzerland, attributed to accelerating glacial retreat.

Incident Details:

• A massive landslide comprising rock and ice obliterated most of a Swiss Alpine village, covering approximately 90% of its area with debris.
• The disaster prompted the evacuation of residents, though one individual remains unaccounted for.

Environmental Impact:

• Scientists link the increased frequency and severity of such landslides to global warming, which hastens glacier retreat.
• The landslide also obstructed a nearby river, raising alarms about potential downstream flooding.

Economic Implications: The environmental instability has broader economic repercussions, notably affecting commodity markets:

• Crude Oil Prices: Continued volatility as investors reassess strategies in response to environmental and economic shifts.

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a diverse array of critical issues, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of current events shaping the global landscape.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

A lot of short daily news podcasts focus on just one story, but right now you probably need more on up first from NPR. We bring you three of the world's top headlines every day in under 15 minutes because no one story can capture all that's happening in this big crazy world of ours on any given morning. Listen now to the upverse podcast from.

[Jack Spear]

Npr, live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. A federal appeals court has temporarily restored President Trump's ability to impose Sweeping new tariffs. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports. It puts on hold next week's last night's ruling that Trump was exceeding his authority.

[Franco Ordonez]

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal District has granted the Trump administration's request to temporarily pause the New York based Court of International Trade ruling that struck down many of Trump's terrorists. The court offered no reasoning for the decision, but paused the original ruling while the legal proceedings play out. This latest development is likely only to increase uncertainty about Trump's trade agenda. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt defended the administration.

[Caroline Levitt]

Ultimately, the Supreme Court must put an end to this for the sake of our Constitution and our country, she said.

[Franco Ordonez]

The US Cannot function if the president is hindered by, in her words, activist judges. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

[Jack Spear]

The White House is saying today Israel has accepted a new US Proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, though at this point nothing has come officially from Israel and the militant group appears to be reacting coolly to the reported deal. White House press secretary Caroline Levitz said special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump submitted a proposal Israel has backed and supported. Hamas has indicated it wants to further study the proposal, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the release of all hostages, while Hamas says it wants more prisoner releases, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Two victories in federal court today for Harvard, one a temporary a block on President Trump's effort to prevent Harvard from enrolling any international students and the other, a different federal judge in Boston has also blocked an attempt to cap international student enrollment at the school. Beer's Windsor Johnson reports on concerns raised about what's at stake for the economy and innovation sectors.

[Windsor Johnston]

International students make up a significant portion of programs in computer science and engineering at US Universities. Take, for example, a South African named Elon Musk who came to the US to study at UPENN and Stanford. Indeed, many go on to launch startups, conduct groundbreaking research or work in biotech. Miriam Feldblom studies global education and immigration. She says these students generate significant revenue for schools.

[Miriam Feldblom]

And given that most American students don't go on study abroad, welcoming international students on campus enables more American students to better prepare for the global world.

[Windsor Johnston]

Feldblom says without international students, both enrollment and research output could suffer. Windsor Johnston, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

A rally that got underway this morning overseas lost some steam later in the US as confusion continues over the Trump administration's tariffs. Still, all the major U.S. indexes closed higher today. The Dow is up 117 points. You're listening to NPR. Kenyan author Gugiwathi Ngo was a critic of British colonial rule. He was also a staunch advocate for local African languages and became a major figure in African literature. He died yesterday at the age of 87. And Pierre's Andrew Limbong has this remembrance.

[Andrew Limbong]

Gugi Watiango has dozens of books under his belt, novels, criticism, poetry, memoir and more. And while he was critical of British colonial rule, it was a play he co wrote in his mother tongue that was critical of the independent Kenyan government that landed him a year long, long stay in prison in 1977.

[Gugiwathi Ngo]

And that contradiction was so strong and the questions that it raised became very, very important to me.

[Andrew Limbong]

This is him talking to NPR in 2019.

[Gugiwathi Ngo]

And I realized the oppressor always the first thing they do is take away the language of the oppressed.

[Andrew Limbong]

Gugi wa Tiongo was recognized all across the world and was a perennial contender for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Andrew Limbong, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Most of a Swiss Alpine village has been destroyed after a large mass of rock and ice from a huge glacier thundered down a mountainside there. Authorities say the dirt, mud and debris covered up to 90% of the village, which has been mostly evacuated due to warnings. Still, police say one person is missing following the incident. Scientists say global warming has accelerated the retreat of glaciers in Switzerland. The landslide from the glacier also blocked a river there, raising fears of flooding. Crude oil futures prices lost ground today as investors continue to try to figure out the dynamics of the shifting global economic environment. Oil down 90 cents a barrel to 6094 barrel in New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or.