NPR News: 05-29-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 29, 2025

Podcast Title: NPR News Now
Host/Author: NPR
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Episode: NPR News: 05-29-2025 6PM EDT
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Trump’s Tariffs Temporarily Restored

Key Points:

• A federal appeals court has temporarily reinstated President Donald Trump's tariffs after initially blocking them.
• The court's latest action is an administrative stay, not a final ruling, allowing the tariffs to remain in place while companies challenging them prepare their cases.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Horsley ([00:57]): "The stakes here are enormous. The president has imposed the highest tariffs this country has seen since the Great Depression."
• Scott Horsley ([00:57]): "The White House maintains he could reimpose them anytime with just a social media post."

Discussion: President Trump's imposition of tariffs has caused significant volatility in financial markets. Despite the turmoil, today's markets remained relatively stable, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 117 points, the NASDAQ rising 74 points, and the S&P 500 gaining 23 points. The White House asserts that the president retains full discretion over tariff policies.

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2. US Proposal for Temporary Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

Key Points:

• The White House has submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas, which has been reportedly backed by Israel, though no official confirmation has been received from the Israeli government.
• Hamas is currently evaluating the deal and considering submitting its own proposals.

Notable Quotes:

• Unnamed Special Envoy ([01:34]): "I can confirm that special envoy Witkoff and the president submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel backed and supported."

Discussion: The ceasefire proposal aims to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously emphasized the release of all hostages, while Hamas demands the release of additional Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiations are ongoing, with both parties expressing cautious responses to the proposed deal.

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3. State Department Targets Chinese Students in Critical Fields

Key Points:

• The U.S. State Department is intensifying efforts to review and potentially revoke visas of Chinese students studying in critical national security areas.
• Focus is on students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party to prevent exploitation of U.S. educational institutions and theft of intellectual property.

Notable Quotes:

• Marco Rubio ([02:23]): "The US will start, in his words, aggressively revoking visas of students who have ties to the Chinese Communist Party and who are studying in critical fields."
• Tammy Bruce ([02:41]): "The United States... will not tolerate the CCP's exploitation of US universities or theft of US research, intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power."

Discussion: This move has sparked tension between the U.S. and China, with China denouncing the actions as restrictive and discriminatory. The State Department has not provided specific numbers regarding how many students or faculty members might be affected. The focus remains on safeguarding national security while maintaining educational ties.

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4. Pride Month Concerns: Safety Guidelines for Drag Artists

Key Points:

• As Pride Month approaches, drag artists are increasingly concerned about their safety amid a volatile political climate.
• A new resource, the Drag Defence Handbook, has been released to provide guidance on handling threats such as online doxing, bomb threats, and physical attacks.

Notable Quotes:

• Tammy Bruce ([03:36]): "The Drag Defence Handbook brings together... advice from drag artists around the country about how to handle everything from online doxing to bomb threats and attacks."
• Jack Spear ([03:53]): "There are steps to be had making sure that you screen, capture everything, make sure everything is documented, making sure you have security around you, knowing your First Amendment protections."

Discussion: The handbook, developed with input from lawyers and security experts, aims to empower drag performers with practical strategies to enhance their personal security. According to GLAAD, incidents targeting drag artists have decreased by over half this year, attributing the decline to improved safety measures and increased awareness within the community.

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5. Corporate Acquisition: Elf Beauty Products Buys Rhode Beauty

Key Points:

• Elf Beauty Products has announced a $1 billion acquisition of Rhode Beauty, the skincare and makeup line founded by Hailey Bieber.
• Hailey Bieber will take on roles as Rhode's Chief Creative Officer, Head of Innovation, and will serve as a strategic advisor to Elf Beauty Products.

Discussion: Rhode Beauty, established in 2022, has quickly gained popularity among young consumers for its innovative products. The acquisition aims to leverage Rhode Beauty's brand strength and Hailey Bieber's influence to expand Elf Beauty Products' market presence. This strategic move underscores the growing trend of major beauty brands acquiring niche, influencer-backed lines to capture diverse consumer segments.

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6. Crude Oil Futures Prices Decline

Key Points:

• Crude oil futures saw a decrease of 90 cents per barrel, settling at $60.94.
• The decline reflects investor uncertainty amid a shifting global economic environment.

Discussion: Market analysts are closely monitoring global economic indicators and geopolitical events that influence oil prices. Factors such as production levels, international conflicts, and renewable energy trends continue to play significant roles in shaping the dynamics of the oil market.

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7. Market Performance Summary

Key Points:

• Major U.S. stock indices saw gains: Dow Jones up by 117 points, NASDAQ rose 74 points, and S&P 500 increased by 23 points.
• Market stability today suggests resilience despite ongoing policy changes and geopolitical tensions.

Discussion: The consistent performance of the stock market reflects investor confidence amidst political uncertainties. Analysts will continue to watch for further policy decisions, particularly regarding tariffs and international relations, which could impact future market movements.

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Conclusion: This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical national and international issues, including economic policies, geopolitical tensions, educational security measures, community safety concerns, corporate acquisitions, and market performance. The inclusion of direct quotes and attributions offers listeners a clear and detailed understanding of each topic, ensuring that even those who haven't tuned in can stay informed about the latest developments shaping our world.

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. President Donald Trump's on again, off again. Tariffs are, for the moment anyway, back on again. That's after a federal appeals court temporarily put on hold a ruling made Yesterday by the U.S. court of International Trade to block nearly all of Trump's tariffs. Latest action was not a ruling on the merits of the case, but an administrative stay, asking companies that challenge the tariffs to present their arguments next week. NPR's Scott Horsley says the White House continues to say it's the president's call to make.

[Scott Horsley]

The stakes here are enormous. The president has imposed the highest tariffs this country has seen since the Great Depression. And while he has backed off on some of those import taxes, the White House maintains he could reimpose them anytime with just a social media post.

[Jack Spear]

NPR's Scott Horsley. Financial markets have been whipsawed by the constant changes in administration policy, though today markets showed little reaction. The White House says Israel has accepted a new US Proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, though at this point nothing has come officially from Israel. Meanwhile, the militant group appears to be reacting coolly to the reported deal confirmed today by White House press secretary Caroline Levitt.

[Unnamed Special Envoy]

I can confirm that special envoy Witkoff and the president submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel backed and supported. Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas. I can also confirm that those discussions are continuing.

[Jack Spear]

Hamas has said it is studying the deal with the idea of submitting its own proposals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously has called for the release of all hostages, while Hamas has said it wants releases of additional Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The State Department is putting students from China on notice their visas could be reviewed and revoked. There are hundreds of thousands of Chinese students in the U.S. nPR's Michelle Kellman reports. The State Department is focusing on those who are studying in critical national security fields.

[Marco Rubio]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US Will start, in his words, aggressively revoking visas of students who have ties to the Chinese Communist Party and who are studying in critical fields. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce would not give further details on how the US will vet these students.

[Tammy Bruce]

The United States, I further can say here, will not tolerate the CCP's exploitation of US universities or theft of US research, intellectual property or technologies to grow its military power.

[Marco Rubio]

She wouldn't predict how many students or faculty might be affected by these moves, which China has denounced. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Jack Spear]

A rally that got underway this morning overseas lost some steam later in the US as confusion continues over the Trump administration tariffs. Still, the dow is up 117 points today. The NASDAQ rose 74 points. The S&P 500 gained 23 points. You're listening to NPR. As Pride Month approaches, many drag artists are concerned about their personal security in the current political climate. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. One group has released guidelines to help people stay safe.

[Tammy Bruce]

The Drag Defence Handbook brings together, with the help of lawyers and other experts, advice from drag artists around the country about how to handle everything from online doxing to bomb threats and attacks. Cleveland based drag performer Veranda Lanai helped put together the handbook.

[Jack Spear]

There are steps to be had making sure that you screen, capture everything, make sure everything is documented, making sure you have security around you, knowing your First Amendment protections.

[Tammy Bruce]

According to the LGBTQ advocacy nonprofit glaad, the number of online and physical attacks specifically targeting drag performers in the US has fallen by more than half this year. In a statement, GLAAD attributes the decline in part to the drag community getting smarter about safety and security. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Elf Beauty Products now says it's moving to acquire the skin care and makeup line founded by Hailey Bieber, the wife of singer Justin bieber, in a $1 billion deal. Hailey Bieber founded her Rhode Beauty brand in 2022 and has rapidly expanded the company, which is popular with young consumers. Under terms of the deal, Bieber will be Rhodes chief creative officer and head of innovation and also a strategic advisor to the comb. Crude oil futures prices lost ground as investors continue to work to figure out the dynamics of a shifting global economic environment. Oiled down 90 cents a barrel today to settle at 6094 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speier, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or.