NPR News: 05-17-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 17, 2025, 9 PM EDT

Released on May 18, 2025

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1. Vehicle Explosion Near Palm Springs Fertility Clinic

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [00:20]

Authorities in California are investigating a deliberate vehicle explosion near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs. Tragically, one person has lost their life, and efforts are underway to identify the victim. FBI spokesperson Akil Davis confirmed to the Associated Press that the clinic was intentionally targeted. Despite the explosion, the head of the clinic assured the public that the IVF laboratory and stored embryos remained unharmed. Additionally, the building sustained damage following a warning from Walmart about potential price hikes due to President Trump's imposed tariffs.

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2. President Trump Criticizes Walmart Over Tariffs

Reporter: Michael Levitt
Timestamp: [00:58]

In a fiery exchange on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Donald Trump took aim at Walmart, stating, “Walmart made billions of dollars last year and that the retailer should, quote, not charge valued customers anything” (00:58). This criticism follows Walmart executives' warnings that President Trump's trade policies could lead to increasing prices on store shelves in the coming months. Despite Trump's assertion that his tariffs will ultimately bolster the American economy and rejuvenate the manufacturing sector, stock markets remain volatile. Economic experts continue to express concerns about a potential recession, casting doubt on the administration's optimistic outlook.

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3. Severe Storms Devastate the Midwest

Reporter: George Hale
Timestamp: [01:38]

The Midwest has been battered by severe storms, resulting in the deaths of over two dozen individuals. Central Indiana, particularly near Bloomington, experienced a devastating tornado that leveled a post office and caused significant damage to dozens of homes. Local authorities reported several injuries, including an elderly man hospitalized with a head injury. National Weather Service investigators, including meteorologist Matthew Eckhoff, are conducting field visits to assess the tornadoes' size and power (02:11). Campers at a nearby state park were also injured, and many remain stranded as roadways are being cleared. The community faces the daunting task of recovery in the aftermath of these destructive storms.

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4. Drone Attack in Ukraine Claims Nine Lives

Reporter: Polina Litvinova
Timestamp: [02:28]

In a tragic incident near Bilopillya, close to the Russian border, a Russian drone struck a shuttle bus, resulting in at least nine fatalities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his anguish on social media, noting that an entire family of three was among the victims. He emphasized the necessity of “stronger sanctions” and “stronger pressure on Russia” to compel a cessation of hostilities and to pave the way for genuine diplomacy (02:35). This attack occurred just a day after Russia and Ukraine engaged in their first direct talks in three years. While the discussions did not lead to a ceasefire, both nations agreed to a significant prisoner exchange, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing conflict dynamics.

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5. New Jersey's Historic Transit Strike

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [03:14]

Negotiations are underway to resolve an unprecedented strike involving train engineers and transit officials in New Jersey. The strike, the first in over four decades, began yesterday and has disrupted the commuter rail system used by approximately 350,000 passengers traveling to New York City. New Jersey Transit head, Chris Coloury, expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, stating, “We're hopeful the two sides can reach an agreement” (03:14). In preparation for a prolonged strike, transit authorities are deploying buses to accommodate riders and have urged employees to work from home where possible. The primary contention in the negotiations centers around pay disputes, highlighting longstanding tensions within the state's transit infrastructure.

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6. Austria Triumphs at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest

Reporter: Chloe Veltman
Timestamp: [04:11]

Austria has emerged victorious at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with JJ's "Wasted Love," outshining 25 competing entries in the finals held in Switzerland today. The winning song bears a resemblance to last year's victor, "Nemo's the Code," particularly in its “soaring operatic vocals” (04:11). However, "Wasted Love" distinguishes itself by incorporating minimal banging beats solely in its concluding segments, contrasting with the more club-oriented anthem of the previous year. This marks Austria's third triumph in Eurovision history, following Udo Jurgens in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014. Israel secured second place, while Estonia followed in third. As tradition dictates, the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted next year in Austria, celebrating their latest win.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant events ranging from local incidents and international conflicts to economic tensions and cultural achievements. By delivering timely updates and in-depth reporting, NPR continues to inform listeners about critical developments shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In California, authorities are investigating a vehicle explosion near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs. One person died and authorities are working to identify them. The FBI's Akil Davis tells the AP the clinic was deliberately targeted. The head of the clinic says the IVF lab and stored embryos are okay. The building was damaged after Walmart warned it would have to raise prices because of President Trump's tariffs. Trump lit into the retail giant today, saying on social media it should eat the tariffs instead of passing the duties on to customers. NPR's Michael Levitt has more in a.

[Michael Levitt]

Post to his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump said Walmart made billions of dollars last year and that the retailer should, quote, not charge valued customers anything. The post comes after Walmart execs said the retailer could see increasingly high prices on their shelves in the coming months, the result, they say, of the president's trade policies. The president's rebuke of Walmart comes as he continues to make the case that his tariffs will yield long term benefits for the economy, including a revitalized American manufacturing sector. However, stock markets have stayed volatile despite the president's assurances, and economic experts remain worried of the possibility of a recession. Michael Levitt, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

More than two dozen people are dead after severe storms devastated parts of the Midwest. George Hale from member station WFIU reports. Parts of Indiana suffered major damage.

[George Hale]

A tornado touched down Friday evening near Bloomington in central Indiana, where it leveled a post office and damaged dozens of homes. Local officials say several were injured, including an elderly man who was hospitalized with a head injury. National Weather Service investigators were in the area Saturday conducting field visits to determine the size and power of the tornadoes, says meteorologist Matthew Eckhoff.

[Michael Levitt]

They're still out there touring the damage area and seeing what kind of damage occurred.

[George Hale]

Officials say campers at a nearby state park also sustained injuries. More were stranded until roadways could be cleared. For NPR News, I'm George Hale in Bloomington, Indiana.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Russia hit a shuttle bus with a drone in Ukraine, killing at least nine people. NPR's Polina Litvinova has more.

[Polina Litvinova]

The attack happened near the town of Bilopillya, close to the Russian border. It's an area of active hostilities. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media that an entire family of three are among those dead. He added that, quote, without stronger sanctions, without stronger pressure on Russia, it will not cease, seek real diplomacy. The attack came a day after the first direct talks in three years between Russia and Ukraine. While the two sides didn't agree to a ceasefire, they did agree to a massive prisoner exchange. Polina Litvinova, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Talks are taking place this weekend to end a strike between train engineers and transit officials on New Jersey's big commuter. New Jersey transit head Chris Coloury says he's hopeful the two sides can reach an agreement. The strike started yesterday, affecting the rail system's 350,000 riders who travel to New York City. Khloe says they're preparing buses in case the strike continues into next week, but he urged people to work from home if they could. The biggest sticking point, pay. It's the first transit strike in more than 40 years in New Jersey. Austria has won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, and Pier's Chloe Veltman reports. Wasted Love by JJ beat out 25 other songs for the top prize at the finals held in Switzerland today.

[Chloe Veltman]

Wasted Love is in some ways similar to last year's winner, Nemo's the Code in that it includes soaring operatic vocals. But while the 2024 Victor was more club anthem than aria, wasted Love is the opposite. Banging beats only appear in the final part of the song. This is the third time Austria Austria has won the international singing competition. Udo Jurgens claimed the top Prize in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014. Israel took second place and Estonia came in third this year. As is customary, the 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held next year in this year's winning country. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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