NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-16-2025 7PM EDT

Episode Date: May 16, 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 Podcast. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. NPR has learned the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOJ,

has attempted to assign a team to the Congressional watchdog, the Government Accountability Office. As NPR's Chris Alder reports, the GAO has refused. Since its inception, DOJ has been strong-arming its way into government agencies, gaining access to sensitive data, and, directly or indirectly, firing workers. NPR has learned, and a GAO spokesman confirms, that DOJ is trying to assign a team to the watchdog agency, citing an executive order from President Trump. But the GAO is an independent agency that's part of the legislative branch, in other words

Congress, not the White House. So GAO says it is not subject to executive orders and has therefore declined Doge's request. Meanwhile, the Watchdog Agency has dozens of investigations underway into whether the White House violated the law by freezing funding that had already been allocated by Congress. Chris Arnold, NPR News. President Trump has wrapped up his nearly week-long trip to the Middle East, a visit that included plenty of pomp and pageantry, what stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

NPR's Domenico Montanaro says perhaps one of the biggest headlines, though, is from a 747 jumbo jet Qatar wants to give to the U.S. Members of his own party have raised concerns concerns too, especially related to security and saying that they don't trust the Qataris. One Republican senator even likened it to the Greek Trojan horse. For others, it rubs them the wrong way because it's coming at a time when the president's approval ratings have hit a low and Trump's asking Americans for austerity when it comes to how many dolls or pencils to buy kids

because of his trade wars and yet he says he'd be stupid not to accept a 400 million dollar plane for free. Some have criticized Trump's assessment of Mideast wealth, noting the president's version ignores human rights abuses, the lack of free and fair elections, and the economic, political, and social oppression of women. Representatives from Ukraine and Russia held talks in Istanbul today for the first time since the early days of Russia's 2022 invasion. MP Ostrana Kikissas reports from Kyiv the two sides agreed to a mass prisoner exchange, but not on a ceasefire. Russia's delegation, made up of mid-level technocrats, said they were satisfied with the talks.

Ukraine's delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustamusta Mumerov was less effusive. He said a ceasefire was discussed, but only the exchange of a thousand prisoners of war was agreed upon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke from Albania. He said if the talks did not result in an immediate ceasefire... There needs to be a strong reaction including sanctions against Russia's energy sector and banks. Ukraine says peace negotiations cannot begin unless a ceasefire is in place. Joanna Kekisis, NPR News. Stocks gained ground on Wall Street. The Dow is up 331 points today. You're

listening to NPR. The man convicted of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on stage in an event three years ago was sentenced today. Hadi Marder received the maximum 25 year sentence for the attempted murder of Rushdie and seven years for wounding a man who was on stage with him. Buffalo Toronto Public Media's Holly Kirkpatrick has more. Rushdie was about to speak at the Chautauqua Institution when Hadi Mattar ran on stage and stabbed him more than a dozen times, leaving the author blind in one eye. Mattar also faces a federal trial on terrorism-related charges. Authorities believe he was attempting to carry out a decades-old fatwa calling for Rushdie's death. Chautauqua County DA Jason Schmidt spoke on Rushdie's death. Chautauqua County DA Jason Schmidt spoke on Rushdie's behalf. This is a major setback for an individual that was starting to emerge in his very later

years of life into society after going into hiding after the fatwa had occurred. Rushdie was the key witness in the state trial, describing in graphic detail his life-threatening injuries. For NPR News, I'm Holly Kirkpatrick in Buffalo, New York. 27 Nation Blocks Digital Services Act. Commission says ad databases are vital for researchers to detect scams as well as different kinds of threat campaigns. It used DSA rulebook as a wide-ranging set of regulations aimed at cleaning up social media. Crude oil futures prices edged higher at week's end. Oil up 87 cents a barrel to $62.49 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.