NPR News: 05-28-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 28, 2025, 6 PM EDT Episode

Release Date: May 28, 2025
Host: NPR
Duration: Approximately 4 minutes and 18 seconds
Description: This episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and updates across various sectors, including politics, international affairs, economy, entertainment, science, and energy.

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1. President Trump's Nomination of Emil Bovet to Federal Appeals Court

Time Stamp: [00:25] - [00:43]

NPR's Jack Spear reported that President Donald Trump has nominated his former personal attorney, Emil Bovet, for a lifetime appointment to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals based in Philadelphia. Emil Bovet, who currently holds a significant position within the Justice Department, is lauded by Trump for being "smart and tough" and is expected to "end the purported weaponization of justice, restore the rule of law, and do anything else that is necessary to make America great again" ([00:43] Ryan Lucas).

Background on Emil Bovet:

• Former Roles: Federal prosecutor and one of Trump's personal attorneys during criminal prosecutions post his first term.
• Current Role: Top official in the Justice Department since Trump's return to office.
• Reputation: Seen as an enforcer and a hardline figure within the department's leadership.

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2. Elon Musk Criticizes President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill"

Time Stamp: [01:24] - [02:11]

In economic news, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has publicly expressed disappointment regarding President Trump's proposed fiscal package, dubbed the "big beautiful bill." Musk's primary contention is that the measure is projected to increase the federal deficit by $2.7 trillion through 2034, contrary to Trump's emphasis on tax cuts intended to stimulate growth ([01:24] Jack Spear).

Key Points:

• Trump's Focus: Highlighted tax reductions within the bill.
• Musk's Criticism: Concern over the escalating deficit.
• Legislative Progress: The bill successfully cleared the House and is now pending in the Senate.
• Supporters' Argument: Proponents maintain that the deficit increase will be offset through new revenue streams, despite cuts in spending on Medicaid, food aid, and higher education.

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3. Israel Accuses the UN of Undermining Gaza Aid Programs

Time Stamp: [02:11] - [02:53]

Tensions have escalated as Israel accuses the United Nations of pressuring aid organizations to refrain from participating in a U.S. and Israeli-backed humanitarian initiative in Gaza.

Key Statements:

• Danny Danon, Israeli Ambassador: Described the UN's actions as "acting like the Mafia," accusing them of a "shakedown by UN mobsters" and questioning how such coercion is possible ([02:21] Jack Spear).
• UN Envoy Sigrid Kog: Expressed concerns over the "privatization and weaponization of aid in Gaza," emphasizing the urgent need for more assistance as Palestinians face the brink of famine ([02:25] Danny Danon).

Additional Context:

• Palestinian Response: Shifted from traditional farewells to darker sentiments, now saying, "see you in heaven" instead of "see you tomorrow" ([02:37] NPR Announcer).
• US Position: The United States maintains that the conflict could be resolved if Hamas agrees to a ceasefire and releases all hostages ([02:45] Danny Danon).

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4. Macy’s Reports Slipping Sales and Earnings Amid Economic Concerns

Time Stamp: [02:53] - [03:35]

Macy’s, the renowned department store chain, has announced a decline in both sales and earnings for the first quarter of the year.

Details:

• Reasons for Decline:
  • Increased consumer caution.
  • Impact of the Trump administration's ongoing tariff policies.
• Company’s Outlook: Despite the setbacks, Macy’s has adjusted its overall profit forecast for the year but remains optimistic, expecting most sales to stay on track ([02:53] Jack Spear).
• Market Reaction: The stock market saw significant downturns with the Dow Jones falling by 244 points and the Nasdaq dropping by 98 points on the day of the report.

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5. Morgan Wallen Sets New Billboard Chart Records

Time Stamp: [03:35] - [04:03]

In entertainment news, Morgan Wallen continues his dominance on the Billboard charts with his latest album and singles.

Highlights:

• Album Success: Wallen's album, "I'm the Problem," debuted at number one on this week's Billboard albums chart thanks to its extensive tracklist of 37 songs, which has generated substantial streaming numbers ([03:35] Stephen Thompson).
• Top Single: The song "What I Want," a duet with Canadian pop artist Tate McRae, holds the top position in the country category ([03:35] Stephen Thompson).
• Record-Breaking Achievement: Wallen surpassed the previous record of 36 songs on the Hot 100 by adding his 37th entry this week, solidifying his unprecedented chart presence ([04:03] Stephen Thompson).

Notable Quote:

Jack Spear recites a line from Wallen’s hit: "Baby, you should know that's what I want. That's what I want." ([03:58])

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6. Astronomers Discover Mysterious X-Ray and Radio Wave Emitting Object in the Milky Way

Time Stamp: [04:18]

In scientific developments, astronomers are intrigued by a newly discovered celestial object within our Milky Way galaxy, situated approximately 15,000 light-years away.

Discovery Details:

• Emissions: The object is emitting both X-rays and radio waves simultaneously, a phenomenon that is not commonly observed.
• Potential Nature: Scientists are debating whether the object is a singular star, a binary star system, or an entirely different celestial entity.
• Observation Source: The emissions were detected accidentally by NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory last year while the telescope was observing the remnants of a supernova explosion.
• Publication: Findings have been documented in the prestigious journal Nature.

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7. Crude Oil Prices Rise Following OPEC's Decision to Maintain Output Levels

Time Stamp: [04:18]

On the energy front, crude oil futures have seen an uptick after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies chose to keep their output policies unchanged.

Market Impact:

• Price Movement: Oil prices increased by 95 cents per barrel.
• Reasoning: The decision by OPEC and allied nations indicates a steady supply, which, coupled with current demand trends, has influenced market prices upward.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant developments across various sectors. From political appointments and international conflicts to economic indicators and breakthroughs in entertainment and science, listeners were offered insightful updates to stay informed about the rapidly evolving global landscape.

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Note: This summary excludes non-content segments such as advertisements, intros, and outros to focus solely on the substantive news covered in the episode.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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, incompetent criminals and 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.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump is nominating his former personal attorney, Emil Beauvais for a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge. Bovais currently serves as a top Justice Department official. More from NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

In a post on social media, Trump describes Emil Bovet as smart and tough and says that he is nominating him to serve as a judge on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in Philadelphia. Trump says Bovet will end the purported weaponization of justice, restore the rule of law, and quote, unquote, do anything else that is necessary to make America great again. Bovet is a former federal prosecutor who later served as one of Trump's personal attorneys during his criminal prosecutions after Trump's first term. Since Trump's return to office, Bove has served in a top Justice Department post, emerging as an enforcer and hardline figure in the new department leadership. Brian Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Elon Musk is publicly criticizing some of the key elements of President Donald Trump's so called big beautiful bill, the Tesla and Space SpaceX CEO, saying he is disappointed the measure would actually add to the deficit. Trump has largely emphasized the tax cutting aspects of the package, but has less to say about the fact it's expected to increase the deficit by another $2.7 trillion through 2034. Backers of the bill, however, continue to argue that will be offset through new revenue. The bill, which cuts spending on Medicaid, food aid and higher education, cleared the House last week and has now gone to the Senate. Israel is accusing the UN of pressing aid groups not to take part in a U.S. and Israeli backed program in Gaza. NPR's Michelle Callan reports. The U.N. says the aid plan does not meet basic humanitarian principles.

[Danny Danon]

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danone says the UN Is acting like the Mafia, telling non governmental groups not to take part in the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

[Jack Spear]

It is a shakedown by UN mobsters. How can they do that?

[Danny Danon]

UN Envoy Sigrid Cog says she's worried about the privatization and weaponization of aid in Gaza, and she said much more is needed as Palestinians are on the brink of famine.

[NPR Announcer]

Instead of saying goodbye, see you tomorrow, Palestinians now say, see you in heaven.

[Danny Danon]

The US Argues the war would end if Hamas would agree to a ceasefire and release all hostages. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

The State Department department store chain Macy says both sales and earnings slipped during first quarter. The company blames more cautious consumers and the effects of the Trump administration's ongoing tariff fight. New York retailer also trimmed its overall profit forecast this year for Macy says it still beat many analysts estimates, and it expects sales will mostly remain on track. Stocks lost ground on Wall street today. The Dow fell 244 points. The Nasdaq dropped 98 points today. You're listening to NPR. Country star Morgan Wallen is all over this week's Billboard charts and even set a new all time record in the process. NPR's Stephen Thompson has this report.

[Stephen Thompson]

Morgan Wallen's new super sized album, I'm the Problem, enters this week's Billboard albums chart at number one. Wallen has a long track record of chart dominance, and with 37 songs, the album was bound to put up monster streaming numbers. Wallen also has the number one song in the country with what I Want. It's a duet with the Canadian pop star Tate McRae.

[Jack Spear]

I said, Baby, you should know that's what I want. That's what I want.

[Stephen Thompson]

Wallen set a new all time record this week. He's got 37 songs on this week's Hot 100 that surpasses the record of 36 set roughly two and a half years ago by none other than Morgan Wallen. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Astronomers are still puzzling over the discovery of a new object in our Milky Way they say is emitting X rays around the same time, it's also shooting out radio waves located some 15,000 light years away. Scientists say they're not sure if the object is a star, a pair of stars or something else entirely. NASA's Chandra X Ray Observatory spotted the emission by chance last year while focusing on the remains of an exploded star. They say the hyperactive phase of the object lasted. The findings are published in the journal Nature. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today after OPEC and its allies opted, at least for now, to leave output policy unchanged. Oil rose 95 cents a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speier, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or.