NPR News: 05-28-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 28, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh

The latest news in five minutes.

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1. Trump Administration Suspends Visa Interviews for International Students

Lakshmi Singh reported that the Trump administration has suspended visa interviews for international students aiming to study in the United States. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the State Department plans to expand its review of applicants' social media activity (00:17). These measures are part of a series of widely controversial actions targeting student protests against the Gaza war and illegal immigration. As a result, many international students currently holding visas are reconsidering whether it's safe to travel out of the U.S. or even within the country (00:17).

2. President Trump Pardons Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley

In a significant move, President Trump has announced full pardons for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who have been serving prison sentences for tax evasion and bank fraud (01:00). Rachel Treisman detailed that the Chrisleys gained fame through the show "Chrisley Knows Best," which showcased the family's lavish Southern lifestyle. The couple was convicted of defrauding the community to secure over $36 million in personal loans, which they spent on luxury goods and to avoid taxes for several years. Since their conviction in 2023, the Chrisleys have been in prison. Their daughter, Savannah, who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, claims they were unfairly targeted due to their conservative beliefs (01:07). Trump personally called Savannah to notify her of their pardon (01:50).

3. Ukraine Seeks Increased Support in Berlin Talks to End Russian War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is currently in Berlin for discussions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to explore ways to end the Russian war (01:50). Esme Nicholson reports that Ukraine is seeking increased support as Russia's bombing campaign intensifies. Following a one-on-one meeting, Merz announced that Germany and Ukraine have agreed to start the joint production of long-range missiles (02:05). He emphasized that this industrial cooperation will take place both in Ukraine and Germany. Although Merz hinted at the possibility of delivering Taurus missiles to Ukraine, he stressed that such decisions won't be discussed publicly. Nevertheless, he assured the continuation and expansion of Germany's military support for Ukraine (02:05).

4. Violence Erupts at Humanitarian Aid Distribution in Gaza

A troubling incident unfolded in Gaza as a crowd was fired upon while rushing to a humanitarian aid distribution point operated by a U.S.-backed group (02:42). The Associated Press, citing Gaza's health ministry, reported that at least one Palestinian was killed and 48 others wounded (02:42). This event highlights the fragility of efforts to provide aid amidst a severe hunger crisis exacerbated by Israel's ongoing military operations targeting Hamas in Gaza (02:42).

5. Retail Sector Earnings: Macy's Outperforms Expectations

Investors received some encouraging news from major retailers today. Scott Horsley reports that Macy's, the department store giant, delivered better-than-expected results for the most recent quarter (03:26). While sales and profits were down compared to the previous year, the decline was less severe than forecasted. Macy's attributed this to cautious shopper behavior but reaffirmed its sales forecast for the year. However, the company is projecting lower profits, partly due to the president's trade war (03:26). Additionally, investors are anticipating Nvidia's latest earnings report later today. As a barometer of demand for artificial intelligence, Nvidia's performance is closely watched as a darling of the tech sector (03:26).

6. Potential Cuts to After School Programs in Low-Income Areas

After school programs, which provide free child care and help students achieve both academic and non-academic goals, are facing potential cuts under the Trump administration (03:57). NPR's Janaki Mehta reports that advocates are concerned these programs could be defunded following President Trump's initial budget proposal released earlier this month (04:11). In a rural school district in central Maine, students participate in activities like cooking clubs, where they learn about multicultural cuisine and apply math and science through measuring and mixing ingredients (04:11). These after school programs, funded by federal grants, are crucial in low-income areas, helping children stay engaged and supported during the school day. The potential cuts threaten to dismantle these beneficial initiatives (04:29).

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For more updates, stay tuned to NPR News.

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Timestamps

• 00:17 – Suspension of Visa Interviews
• 01:00 – Pardoning of Todd and Julie Chrisley
• 01:07 – Savannah Chrisley's Statement
• 01:50 – Notification of Pardon
• 02:05 – Berlin Talks on Missile Production
• 02:42 – Violence at Gaza Aid Distribution
• 03:26 – Macy's Earnings and Nvidia Report
• 03:57 – Threat to After School Programs
• 04:11 – Details on After School Programs
• 04:29 – Funding Concerns for Programs

(Timestamps correspond to moments within the podcast episode.)

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Trump administration suspending visa interviews for international students attempting to study in the United States. VISA A US Official who spoke on condition of anonymity says the State Department plans to expand its review of applicant social media activity. So far this year, the administration's undertaken widely controversial actions targeting student protests against the Gaza war and illegal immigration. They've prompted a number of international students who currently hold visas to reconsider whether it's safe to travel out of the US or even out of state. President Trump has announced full pardons for reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.

[Rachel Treisman]

He's the patriarch of perfection.

[Lakshmi Singh]

We're not perfect, but perfect should be.

[Rachel Treisman]

Something you should strive to be.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Rachel Treisman reports. The couple had been serving prison sentences for tax evasion and bank fraud.

[Rachel Treisman]

Todd and Julie Chrisley rose to fame with the show Chrisley Knows Best, which documented the family's lavish Southern lifestyle. It was canceled after they were convicted of defrauding community to get more than $36 million in personal loans, spending it on luxury goods and avoiding taxes for several years. The Chrisleys have been in prison since 2023. Their daughter, Savannah, who spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention, says they were unfairly targeted because of their conservative beliefs. Trump called her this week to notify her of their pardon. Rachel Treisman, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Berlin for talks with the Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss eff bring an end to the Russian war. Esme Nicholson reports Ukraine is looking for increased support as Russia's bombing campaign intensifies.

[Esme Nicholson]

Speaking to journalists after a one on one meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Friedish Merz said Germany and Ukraine have agreed to start the joint production of long range missiles. Merz said cooperation on an industrial level will take place both in Ukraine and in Germany. The German leader raised hopes earlier this week that he would greenlight the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine, but stressed in the press conference conference with Zelenskyy that such decisions will not be discussed in public. Merz did promise to continue and expand Germany's military support for Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Esme Nicholson in Berlin.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In Gaza, a crowd was fired upon as they rushed to a humanitarian aid distribution point run by a U S backed group. The Associated Press quotes Gaza's health ministry in reporting at least one Palestinian died and 48 other people were wounded. This development underscores the fragility of the of trying to feed people confronting a hunger crisis in the wake of Israel's ongoing military operations targeting Hamas in Gaza. From Washington, this is NPR News. Investors got some encouraging news today from big retailers. NPR Scott Horsley reports that bellwether from the tech sector will offer an update later today.

[Scott Horsley]

Department store giant Macy's delivered better than expected results for the most recent quarter. Sales and profits were down from a year ago, but not as much as forecasters had predicted. Macy's says shoppers are cautious, but the chain reaffirmed its sales forecast for the year. Macy's is projecting lower profits, however, partly as a result of the president's trade war. Later today, investors will be listening for computer chip maker Nvidia's latest earnings report. The company's a darling of the tech sector and a barometer of demand for artificial intelligence. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

After school programs are widely encouraged in low income areas for free child care and they also help students meet academic and non academic goals. But NPR Tanaki Method reports some advocates worry such programs could be cut by the Trump administration.

[Janaki Mehta]

In one rural school district in central Maine, students participate in cooking club after school as a way to learn all kinds of new skills. You are going to be making parfait cups.

[Scott Horsley]

We're making it like the French flag, red for strawberries, white for yogurt and blue for blueberries.

[Janaki Mehta]

They're learning about multicultural cuisine and learning math and science as they measure and mix ingredients. Plus, after school programs are known to help kids attend school during the day. This program is funded by a federal grant for after school programs in low income areas. After President Trump released his initial budget proposal earlier this month, advocates for these programs began to worry that grant might go away. Janaki Mehta and Pyrenees.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr.

[Hometap Representative]

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