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NPR News Now

NPR News: 05-22-2026 5PM EDT

22 May 2026

Transcription

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

Chapter 1: What were the implications of the federal judge dismissing human smuggling charges?

0.031 - 16.355 Ryland Barton

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. A federal judge dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilimar Abrego Garcia today. His wrongful deportation to El Salvador last year became an embarrassment for the Trump administration when it was ordered to return him to the U.S.

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16.776 - 33.74 Ryland Barton

Abrego Garcia claimed the timing of the criminal charges and inflammatory statements about him by top Trump officials were demonstrated the prosecution was vindictive, he's still fighting efforts to deport him from the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there's still more work to do to reach a deal with Iran.

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33.821 - 38.273 Ryland Barton

President Trump has been threatening more military action, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.

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After meeting NATO counterparts in Sweden, Secretary Rubio was asked about the prospects of a deal with Iran. He says the goal is an agreement that covers Iran's nuclear program and reopens the Strait of Hormuz. But we also have to have a plan B. And plan B is what if Iran refuses to open the straits?

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What if Iran decides we refuse to open the straits, we're going to own the straits, and we're going to charge tolls for it? At that point, something has to be done about it. And he says this affects Europe more than the U.S. Rubio repeated his frustration that a few NATO allies did not let the U.S. use bases to launch the war against Iran.

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The Strait of Hormuz was operating normally before the war. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

80.221 - 90.13 Ryland Barton

Two Democratic senators are demanding answers from the Treasury Department about the decision to settle a case over the leak of President Trump's tax returns. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports.

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Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon are writing officials at the Treasury Department to get more detail about what they call an outrageously corrupt deal that creates a nearly $2 billion taxpayer fund that could compensate January 6th rioters and other Trump allies. The senators want the Inspector General for Tax Administration

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to probe whether any laws have been broken that bar political interference in the audit work of the IRS. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is defending the settlement, asserting Trump and his family will not receive any direct financial benefit. But the deal also seems to shield Trump from any legal problems over his past tax returns. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

Chapter 2: What is the current status of the U.S.-Iran deal negotiations?

161.677 - 165.666 Dr. Satish Pillai

and Uganda to support our country's needs.

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165.686 - 190.88 Ryland Barton

Efforts to contain the virus face challenges, including misinformation and clashes with local customs. The United Nations has released $60 million to aid the response. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he's determined to build a better country after Alberta's premier announced a public vote on whether to move toward independence.

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190.9 - 204.44 Ryland Barton

Many Albertans have long complained that Ottawa hasn't done enough to get Alberta's vast oil reserves to market. Carney emphasized Alberta's contributions to Canada and noted efforts to build a new oil pipeline to the Pacific coast.

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Germany's federal prosecutor has charged two men with plotting to kill leaders of the country's Jewish and Israeli communities on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports.

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215.455 - 231.718 Rob Schmitz

The primary suspect, identified only as Ali S., is a Danish citizen. He was charged with espionage, attempted conspiracy to commit murder, and aggravated arson. German investigators say he worked for Iran's Revolutionary Guard and has close ties to the Quds Force, an elite guards unit specializing in foreign operations.

232.258 - 245.482 Rob Schmitz

Prosecutors say another man, Afghan citizen Tawab M., played a supporting role and was charged with attempted conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors say the two plan to kill several Jews in Berlin, including Volker Beck, the head of the German-Israeli society.

245.983 - 256.787 Rob Schmitz

The indictment comes as European authorities grow increasingly concerned about an uptick of Iranian intelligence activity in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin.

256.767 - 279.282 Ryland Barton

Advocates celebrated the 230th anniversary of Ona Judge's escape from enslavement by George Washington yesterday. Judge escaped from Washington's Philadelphia residence on May 21, 1796, and lived the rest of her life in New Hampshire. A mural depicting Judge is being unveiled tomorrow in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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New shows, new music, new movies. Keeping up with pop culture sometimes feels like a full-time job. Thankfully, over at Pop Culture Happy Hour, it's literally our job. We break down what's actually worth watching, listening to, and pretending you already knew about. So the next time someone says, did you see that? You can say, yeah, obviously.

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