NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-14-2025 7PM EDT

Episode Date: May 14, 2025

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Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Donald Trump received a special escort to Qatar when several fighter jets appeared to the side of Air Force One as the

president flew toward Doha today. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports on the second leg of Trump's trip to the Middle East. For a second day in a row, President Trump received a lavish welcome, this time from the Qatari Emir, including Arabian horses, camels, and a red-carpet arrival ceremony.

Trump touted their friendship and thanked the Emir for helping the U.S. as it works to resolve the conflict in Gaza, as well as the war in Ukraine, and teased some upcoming news about the U.S. as it works to resolve the conflict in Gaza, as well as the war in Ukraine, and tease some upcoming news about the conflict. I think we're having some pretty good news coming out of there today and maybe tomorrow and maybe Friday, frankly. But we'll see about that. Like in Saudi Arabia, the Qatar stop is expected to be defined by business deals, but it also

comes with some scrutiny over his idea to accept a luxury jet from Qatar that could serve as a temporary Air Force One. Franco Ordonez, NPR News. The U.S. Supreme Court is due to hear arguments tomorrow on whether to end birthright citizenship based on a new NPR episode's poll that is opposed by a majority of Americans. Those who hear from NPR's Joel Rose, there is wider support for the administration's stance on immigration. Trump's crackdown has gone in some ways well beyond what any previous administration has tried. For example, his push to quickly deport alleged gang

members without giving them a chance to contest those allegations in court under a seldom used wartime law from the 18th century called the Alien Enemies Act. Almost half of respondents in our poll say they are in favor of that. But some of Trump's other proposals have less support. For example, birthright citizenship, the longstanding practice of granting citizenship to any child born on US soil, regardless of their parents' legal status.

Most legal scholars say that is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Trump, though, is pushing to end it, and our polling shows that 53% of respondents oppose that. NPR's Joel Rose. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was in the hot seat on Capitol Hill as lawmakers raised concerns of a failing infrastructure at one of the nation's busiest air travel hubs. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports. Lawmakers say outdated radar systems delays and safety concerns reflect a

broader break in the country's aviation infrastructure. Testifying before a House committee, Secretary Sean Duffy said the administration is working urgently to address delays at Newark. We're working at lightning speed in pace to get this resolved in Newark. Again, today we're having, the FAA is having a conversation about how all the airlines can come together to reduce the flights that Newark so if you book your flight you know what's going to fly. The hearing comes amid a series of near misses and

growing public frustration over the safety and reliability of the nation's air travel system. Windsor-Johnston NPR News, Washington. This is NPR. It may be a bit early to declare a sustainable trend, but the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. is coming down. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there were 30,000 fewer overdose deaths in the U.S. last year compared to the previous year. CDC officials say 80,000 people died from overdoses in 2024, compared to 110,000 in 2023.

The year-over-year decline the largest ever recorded. Experts credit factors including the availability of the overdose reversing drug narco-on and a decline in fentanyl seizures, possibly due to less of the drug coming into the U.S. The Max streaming service will get a new name this summer, HBO Max. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says the change resurrects the original name the streaming service had when it debuted in 2020. Two years ago, when Warner Brothers' discovery dropped the HBO from the name of its streaming service, some questioned the wisdom of discarding a brand name associated with groundbreaking TV hits like The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and Game of Thrones. The restoration of the HBO Max title, announced at an event for advertisers in New York,

seems to acknowledge that idea, as executives said it signaled a focus on specifically unique, quality content. The name change could also signal a move towards separating some assets owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, like its cable channels, into an independent company. Warner Bros. Discovery did not provide a specific date for the name change. Eric Deggans, NPR News. Crypto futures prices eased a bit today, oiled down 52 cents a barrel to 63.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.