NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-11-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: May 11, 2025

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These days, there's a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, your family, and your community. Consider This from NPR is a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory, and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider This podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Leaders of four European countries were in Ukraine on Saturday where they said they would increase sanctions on Russia if it does not agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire

in its war with Ukraine. The ceasefire would begin on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly said yes. We accept the American proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. In fact, we ourselves are proposing it. Russia, as of now, is rejecting even that, even a ceasefire. And if they refuse, something is basic at that. It means they don't want to end the war at all.

Zelensky says Russia is not serious about peace in that region and instead is continuing its aerial assault on his country. After six weeks in the Louisiana immigration jail, Rumeysa Ozturk is free and back in Boston. The Tufts University PhD student Saturday addressed the public for the first time in person since plainclothes ICE agents arrested her in Somerville and quietly moved her across state lines in March. Jesus Moreiro Suarez of NPR member station WBUR has more on our story. Ostirk, dressed in green, approached the podium flanked by her lawyers and members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation. She seemed hopeful and relieved as she spoke about the future of her case.

America is the greatest democracy in the world and I believe in those values that we share. I have faith in the American system of justice. A federal judge in Vermont ordered her released on bail yesterday, saying there was no evidence she'd broken any rules or laws. She's due to appear in federal court again in two weeks to argue that case. The federal government still aims to deport her. For NPR News, I'm Jesus Marrero Suarez in Boston. The Trump administration says it wants to move ahead with a controversial plan to deport migrants to Libya, but Libyan officials say they reject the idea and view the plan as a violation of their sovereignty. As NPR's Windsor Johnston reports, if Trump's plan goes ahead, some immigration experts are warning of potential human rights violations and logistical challenges.

The Trump administration's plan could strain immigration courts, detention facilities, and enforcement resources. Kathleen Bush Joseph is with the Migration Policy Center. She says the approach may also send migrants into dangerous and unfamiliar territory. They might be trying to project this image that even if you come from the Philippines or Laos or Mexico, that you could be sent to a country that is completely foreign to you and where you might face real violence. The White House says it's operating within its authority, arguing that the policy is

a necessary tool to deter unlawful immigration. Windsor-Johnston, NPR News, Washington. And you're listening to NPR News. Pope Leo XIV held his first formal audience on Saturday. He made clear that he'll follow in the modernizing reforms of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and he said he hopes to make the church more inclusive and attentive to the faithful, as well as a church that looks out for the least and the rejected.

The Department of Agriculture has laid out a timeline to send aid to farmers who suffered losses from Hurricane Helene But as Bradley George of member station W and C reports some state governments have already stepped in to help Thousands of farmers from Florida to the Carolinas suffered catastrophic damage from Helene last September But Congress didn't pass a relief bill until three months later USDA says it's finally ready to start doling out that funding. Affected states will have to negotiate with the agency, which will distribute aid in block grants. In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp signed a law this week that exempts crop insurance

and disaster payments from state taxes. North Carolina lawmakers have approved payments to cover farm losses, but Governor Josh Stein and legislative leaders say money will have to be set aside later this year. For NPR News, I'm Bradley George in Chapel Hill. Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry fought the blustery weather conditions on Saturday to shoot their way into a two-way tie at the PGA tournament that's underway this weekend

out at a course outside Philadelphia. Straka began the day two strokes off the lead but had just one bogey and five birdies on the day to finish at 14-under. Keith Mitchell, meanwhile, lost the lead after shooting one over on Saturday. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. On this week's Wild Card Podcast, Wanda Sykes says she can have a hard time understanding I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.