NPR News: 04-23-2026 9PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says he expects the leaders of Lebanon and Israel to come to Washington soon. NPR's Michelle Kellman-Reporn's Trump also announced that a ceasefire between the two sides will be extended for three weeks. This was the second meeting between the ambassadors from Israel and Lebanon, but this time it was in the White House, where President Trump raised the prospect of a summit within three weeks. Think of that. They're next to each other, they're great people, and they've never met. This should be an easy one. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says both countries are victimized by Hezbollah. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, described Hezbollah as a rough little kid, disturbing neighbors who want to get along. Israel currently occupies parts of southern Lebanon, and the UN says the humanitarian needs remain severe. Michelle Kellman and PR News, the State Department.

1:02Republican congressional leaders have released a new plan to extend a key U.S. spy power for three years. NPR's Eric McDaniel reports the proposal is very similar to a plan that failed in a vote last week. Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act allows intelligence agencies to collect the electronic communications of foreign nationals outside of the United States without a warrant. These though, some of those targeted individuals communicate with an American citizen, and their private communications get sucked up too. Privacy-minded lawmakers of both parties want the FBI to get a warrant before they review those calls text and emails. Those lawmakers rejected an extension of the spy power last week over those concerns, and now GOP leaders in the House are trying to move forward with a slightly modified version of the same plan, which one prominent Democrat pushing for reform Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon called the quote, rubber stamp for Trump to spy on Americans. Eric McDaniel in P.R. News, Washington. The tech company Metta is laying off about 10 percent of its staff. The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has been pumping billions of dollars into

2:06artificial intelligence. NPR's John Ruich reports an internal memo says it's reorganizing to offset investments. A metta spokesperson confirmed the internal memo. In it, Metta's chief people officer Janelle Gayle says the layoffs are part of a continued effort to run the company more efficiently. The cuts will also allow it to offset other investments the company's making. Gayle says while it's unwelcome news that puts employees in an uneasy state, the company feels it's the best path forward given the circumstances. The layoffs will take place on May 20th. Metta also will not hire for 6,000 open roles that it had intended to fill. In January, Metta forecast record capital expenditures this year of up to $135 billion, almost double what it spent last year. John Ruich and P.R. News. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The White House has announced a deal aimed at lowering drug prices. The agreement with biotech company Regeneron would reduce costs for certain Medicaid drugs.

3:10It would also offer a cholesterol medication for about $225 through the discount site Trump R.X. The White House says it wants to bring U.S. drug prices more in line with other developed countries. The nation's second largest school district voted to limit screen time for all grade levels. NPR Sequoia Carrillo reports officials are also pushing to eliminate it for the district's youngest students. The Los Angeles unified school district to switch course on its technology policy this week with a unanimous vote to curb screen time for all of its students. Last year, the school district instituted a cell phone ban following suit with many states around the country. But L.A. U.S.C. remained committed to using technology for instruction and until 2024 was developing an AI chatbot for students and parents. The move comes after significant parent pressure. The board hopes to implement the new rules in the next school year. Sequoia Carrillo and P.R. News. Wildfires in South Georgia have destroyed nearly 90 homes and are threatening hundreds

4:15more. Places are also burning in parts of northern Florida. Officials say dry conditions are fueling the fires. Drought in the United States has reached record levels for this time of the year. More than 61 percent of the lower 48 states are in moderate to extreme drought. At the close on Wall Street today, the Dow was down 179 points. This is NPR. Wanna hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon Prime members can listen to NPR news now, sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get NPR Plus at plus dot NPR dot org. That's plus dot NPR dot org.