NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-24-2025 6AM EDT

Episode Date: May 24, 2025

NPR News: 05-24-2025 6AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

You're listening to the NPR Network. Live from NPR News, I'm Lachie. A living, breathing record of your neighborhood, the country, the world. Told by thousands of local journalists who live in the places where stories unfold. Backed by a national newsroom that puts it all in perspective. Hear the whole country's story. Hear ways of thinking that challenge your own. Hear the bigger picture with NPR.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration decision to revoke Harvard University's ability to enroll international students. The judge put the move on hold pending Harvard's lawsuit, as NPR's Tanaki Mehta reports. Carly Slaughter On Thursday, the Trump administration told Harvard it would put an end to its ability to admit international students. Less than 24 hours later, Harvard filed suit, calling the administration's actions unlawful. Now, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration, blocking its ability to revoke the certification

that allows Harvard to sponsor international students. This is part of a weeks-long battle that began when Harvard refused to follow a slew of demands from the Trump administration to overhaul its campus policies, including diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Janaki Mehta and PR News. Elon Musk's Doge team is using artificial intelligence to analyze data, and one of the AI tools it's using is Musk's own service and Pierce Bobby Allen reports.

Musk's Doge staffers are tapping generative AI systems to crunch massive amounts of taxpayer data. Musk's teams have been utilizing AI platforms developed by Meta, Palantir, and even Musk's own AI system, known as GROK. Doge's use of GROK, which was first reported by Reuters, has raised alarms among ethics experts, whose aid appears to be the latest example of Musk's self-dealing in the federal government. And it could violate conflict of interest laws and put at risk the sensitive personal data of millions of Americans. The White House didn't return a request for comment, but the Trump administration has

previously said that Doge has not given preferential treatment to any AI tool or product. Bobby Allen in PR News. The European Union's top trade chief says the EU stands ready to defend its interests, saying in a social media post that the EU is committed to securing a deal with the US based on mutual respect, not threats. President Trump is threatening a 50% tariff on all EU imports. Justice Department says it's reached an agreement in principle that would allow Boeing to avoid prosecution over two deadly 737 Max crashes. The plane maker has been facing a criminal fraud case in

connection with the two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports. The Justice Department says in a court filing that under the agreement Boeing will pay and invest more than $1.1 billion. That includes a fine of some $240 million, as well as nearly $450 million for a crash victims fund. Boeing also will admit to conspiring to obstruct regulators. Boeing had agreed last year to plead guilty to defrauding regulators after two 737 MAX jet crashes, but a federal judge rejected the proposed plea deal. Last week, lawyers for some of the victims' families sharply criticized

the new proposed non-prosecution agreement after meetings with the government. In a statement, a Justice Department spokesman acknowledged the pushback but said this resolution holds Boeing accountable and provides finality and compensation for victims' families. This is NPR. Russia and Ukraine expected to exchange more prisoners today under a deal reached last week in Istanbul, where the two sides failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. Overnight, Ukraine's capital came under a Russian missile and drone attack following yesterday's swap that saw both sides release 390 prisoners.

A court in Paris has handed down guilty verdicts to several of the thieves who robbed reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint during Paris Fashion Week in 2016, making off with millions of dollars in jewels. And Paris Eleanor Beardsley reports. Their bungling led to their capture within months. Four were given sentences of up to eight years, mostly suspended, and with time already served will not return to prison. Two were acquitted. The ringleader is now 69 years old, mute and deaf.

Wiretaps had captured him giving orders, recruiting accomplices, and arranging to sell the diamonds. But Kardashian said she forgave him after he wrote her a letter of apology. The sentences handed out on Friday were much lower than prosecutors were seeking. The judge told the defendants he had given lenient sentences because, quote, I understand that you understand that you have caused harm. Eleanor Beersley in Pierre News, Paris. Triple A says travel this Memorial Day weekend could break records. The Auto Club expects more than 45 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home

through Monday. Breaking a domestic travel record set in 2005, most are expected to drive or fly. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.