NPR News Now: May 16, 2025 | 6AM EDT

Hosted by Korva Coleman

1. Stalled Russia-Ukraine Negotiations in Istanbul

Key Points: Representatives from Ukraine and Russia gathered in Istanbul, Turkey, for direct talks aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the prospects for a successful negotiation appear bleak. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the talks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present but not directly engaged in the discussions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively involved in the negotiations.

Notable Quotes:

• Marco Rubio [00:45]: "President Trump is impatient and wants the war to end, but the Kremlin balked at the idea of high level talks with Ukraine. So now Rubio is talking about a one on one between Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin."

• Unnamed Analyst [00:59]: "I think he's ready to have that engagement and determine once and for all if there's a path forward and what that path is. And it's my assessment that I don't think we're going to have a breakthrough here until the president and President Putin interact directly on this topic."

Insights: Rubio expressed disappointment regarding the low-level Russian delegation, signaling low expectations for meaningful outcomes from the Istanbul talks. The absence of high-level engagement from both Putin and Zelenskyy underscores the challenges in reaching a resolution.

2. U.S. Supreme Court Reviews Birthright Citizenship Executive Order

Key Points: The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments concerning President Trump's executive order aimed at overturning birthright citizenship for certain Americans—a right enshrined in the Constitution. The Court examined how lower court district judges have previously blocked this and other executive orders through injunctions.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Frost, University of Virginia Law Professor [01:55]: "The nationwide injunction question is vital not just to the birthright citizenship litigation, but to a large number of this president and previous president's executive branch policies. There's now 40 nationwide injunctions in place against President Trump's executive branch policies. And of course, he's issued 150 executive orders."

Insights: Amanda Frost highlighted the broader implications of the Supreme Court's decision, noting that the outcome could affect numerous executive actions beyond just the birthright citizenship issue. The significant number of injunctions against Trump's policies indicates substantial judicial resistance to executive overreach.

3. New Jersey Train Engineers Strike Amid Contract Stalemate

Key Points: New Jersey is currently experiencing a halt in public transit train services due to a failed contract agreement between the rail agency and a key labor union. Over 450 train engineers have initiated a strike, demanding higher pay increases.

Notable Quotes:

• Bruce Konviser, NPR Reporter [02:29]: "More than 450 train engineers walked off the job demanding a larger pay increase... union leaders say that engineers at other regional rail services get at least $10 more per hour."

Insights: The strike exclusively affects train services, with bus services and other rail companies remaining operational. Despite a handshake deal reached in March, the union membership overwhelmingly rejected the proposal in April, leading to the current impasse. New Jersey Transit is advising customers to work from home when possible to mitigate the impact.

4. WNBA Season Kicks Off with Exciting Developments

Key Points: The WNBA is set to begin its new season tonight, building on the previous year's record-breaking attendance and ratings. The season features the debut of standout rookie Paige Beckers and several marquee matchups aimed at drawing significant viewership.

Notable Quotes:

• Becky Sullivan, NPR Reporter [03:45]: "The first game will include the debut of the hyped rookie Paige Beckers, who just last month won the NCAA title with her UConn Huskies..."

• Becky Sullivan [03:45]: "The WNBA has extended the regular season from 40 to 44 games, and the league has added a 13th team, the Golden State Valkyries, whose first game is Friday night."

Insights: Paige Beckers' entry into the WNBA is highly anticipated, especially after her recent NCAA championship win. The season also introduces the Golden State Valkyries as the league's newest team and extends the regular season to 44 games, indicating growth and increased investment in the league.

5. Epic Games Threatens to Remove Fortnite from Apple Devices

Key Points: Epic Games, the developer behind Fortnite, has announced that the game will be unavailable on Apple devices until Apple lifts its blockade from the App Store. This move is a continuation of their longstanding antitrust legal battle against Apple, which controls access to its App Store.

Insights: Despite Epic Games achieving several victories in the five-year lawsuit, Apple's stringent control over the App Store remains a significant hurdle. The removal of Fortnite from Apple devices is a strategic escalation aimed at pressuring Apple to alter its app distribution policies.

Conclusion: This episode of NPR News Now covered a diverse range of topics, from international diplomacy and Supreme Court deliberations to labor strikes, sports, and tech industry conflicts. Each segment provided insightful updates and expert commentary, ensuring listeners stayed informed on crucial current events.

For listeners who want to delve deeper into these stories, accessing the full NPR News Now episode from May 16, 2025, is recommended.