NPR News: 05-18-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – May 18, 2025, 6PM EDT

In today’s episode of NPR News Now, a wide array of significant national and international events were covered, ranging from high-profile health diagnoses to international diplomacy efforts, acts of terrorism, geopolitical conflicts, landmark religious events, and unexpected accidents. Here is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed:

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1. Former President Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Jeanine Herbst initiated the news update with a major personal health development concerning a central figure in American politics.

• Diagnosis Details:

  • Jeanine Herbst [00:25]: "Former President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer."
  • Tamara Keith [00:39]: The diagnosis, disclosed by Biden’s personal office, revealed that the cancer has metastasized to the bone and is an aggressive form of prostate cancer. However, it remains hormone-sensitive, offering "options for effective management" (00:39).

• Context and Implications:

  • At 82, Biden is the oldest president to serve the United States.
  • The diagnosis emerged following Biden’s experience with urinary symptoms.
  • The statement mentioned that Biden and his family are evaluating treatment options with his medical team.
  • This news arrives amidst growing media scrutiny of Biden’s health during his presidency, as highlighted in a forthcoming book.

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2. President Trump’s Efforts to End the War in Ukraine

Jeanine Herbst and Charles Manes provided updates on President Trump’s diplomatic maneuvers aimed at resolving the protracted conflict in Ukraine.

• Diplomatic Initiatives:

  • Jeanine Herbst [01:17]: "President Trump will be working the phones tomorrow as he tries to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine."
  • Charles Manes [01:27]: Trump plans to engage in conversations with leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and NATO (01:27).

• Current Conflict Status:

  • Peace talks in Istanbul marked the first direct negotiations since the early days of the war.
  • An agreement for a mass prisoner swap was achieved but did not meet Western demands.
  • Despite an initial ceasefire agreement, Russia has continued military operations, including mass drone attacks over the weekend.

• Russian Stance:

  • Trump [02:10]: Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking on state television, affirmed Russia's commitment to "maintain the means to meet its military objectives and see the war through to what he called its logical conclusion" (01:31, 02:25).

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3. Bombing at California Fertility Clinic

A tragic act of violence shook Palm Springs, California, as reported by Jeanine Herbst and Charles Manes.

• Incident Overview:

  • Jeanine Herbst [02:10]: "Authorities in Palm Springs say they’ve identified a suspect in the bombing outside a fertility clinic yesterday."
  • The explosion resulted in one fatality and injured four others (02:13–02:15).

• Suspect Details:

  • The FBI has named a 25-year-old man, Barkus, as the primary suspect (02:20–02:25).
  • Akhil Davis [02:41]: "The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack against the IVF facility. Make no mistake, we are treating this... as an intentional act of terrorism."

• Aftermath:

  • The clinic confirmed that staff, IV, and stored embryos remained unharmed.
  • Evidence suggests Barkus attempted to live-stream the bombing (02:36–02:56).

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4. Israel Launches New Offensive in Gaza

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East saw a significant escalation as detailed by Jeanine Herbst and Charles Manes.

• Military Actions:

  • Jeanine Herbst [03:03]: "Israel says it's launched extensive new ground operations in Gaza."
  • Airstrikes have resulted in the death of at least 103 individuals, including numerous children (03:08).

• Humanitarian Concerns:

  • Hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza are grappling with the aftermath of the intensified air campaigns.

• Ceasefire and Aid:

  • Despite ongoing violence, ceasefire talks are in progress.
  • Jeanine Herbst [03:16]: Israel's prime minister announced the “now allow[ance] of food aid into Gaza after blocking all of it for 11 weeks” (03:18).

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5. Pope Leo’s Inaugural Mass as the First American Pope

A historic event unfolded in Vatican City as Jeanine Herbst and Ruth Sherlock covered the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

• Inauguration Highlights:

  • Jeanine Herbst [03:24]: "Pope Leo, the first American pope, celebrated his inaugural Mass in front of tens of thousands of people and foreign delegations."
  • Ruth Sherlock [03:54]: Described the Mass with "soaring choir music rang across St. Peter's Square" as Pope Leo was vested with traditional symbols of his office (03:54).

• Papal Vision:

  • In his homily, Pope Leo emphasized a commitment to a "united church," critiqued the "global economic system that exploits the earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest," and called for a “changed, better, peaceful world” (03:54–04:30).

• Global Presence:

  • The inauguration was attended by notable figures, including Vice President Vance, signaling the significance of this event on the world stage.

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6. Mexican Navy Tall Ship Strikes Brooklyn Bridge

An unexpected maritime accident impacted New York City’s infrastructure, as reported by Jeanine Herbst and Charles Manes.

• Accident Details:

  • Jeanine Herbst [04:30]: "An investigation is underway after a Mexican Navy tall ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge."
  • The collision resulted in at least two fatalities and caused significant structural concerns (04:35–04:37).

• Immediate Consequences:

  • The ship, having lost power, struck the 142-year-old suspension bridge, leading to the snapping of its three masts.
  • Traffic in the vicinity was briefly suspended, and debris was scattered across several blocks (04:44–04:51).

• Official Statements:

  • New York Mayor Eric Adams [04:56]: Assured the public that "the bridge wasn't damaged," and the ship has been towed away safely (04:56).

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This episode provided listeners with comprehensive coverage of pressing issues affecting both the United States and the global community, highlighting the interconnectedness of political, social, and humanitarian concerns.

Transcript

[Host of 1A Podcast]

With a major shift in our politics underway in this country, 1A is drilling down on what's at stake for you and our democracy. In our weekly series, if youf Can Keep it, we put these changes into focus and answer your questions about the impact of the Trump administration on the U.S. join us every Monday for if youf Can Keep it on the One, A podcast from NPR and wamu.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Former President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports. At 82, Biden was America's oldest president to serve.

[Tamara Keith]

According to a statement from Biden's personal office, the cancer has metastasized to bone and is a more aggressive form of prostate cancer, but it appears to be hormone sensitive, which means there are options for effective management. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men. For Biden, the diagnosis came after experiencing urinary symptoms. The statement goes on to say that the former president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians. This comes as media attention has been focused on Biden's decline while in office, as documented in a forthcoming book. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump will be working the phones tomorrow as he tries to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. As NPR's Charles mainnes reports, the Trump.

[Charles Manes]

Plans to speak with leaders from Russia, Ukraine and NATO.

The phone calls come in the wake of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, their first direct negotiations since the early days of the war that led to an agreement for a mass prisoner swap but fell short of Western demands. Russia join Ukraine in signing on to an immediate 30 day ceasefire. Instead, Russia has kept up the military pressure, launching mass drone attacks over the weekend. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also signaling that may not change. An interview on state television. He insisted Russia maintain the means to meet its military objectives and see the war through to what he called its logical conclusion. Charles Manes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In California, authorities in Palm Springs say.

[Charles Manes]

They'Ve identified a suspect in the bombing.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Outside of a fertility clinic yesterday. One person died. Four others were injured.

[Charles Manes]

The FBI says 25 year old guy Barkus is the primary person of interest.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Behind the bombing outside the American Fertility center clinic.

[Charles Manes]

The clinic says staff the IV and the stored embryos are okay. The FBI also says they think Barkis.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Was the sole fatality. Akhil Davis is assistant FBI director of the Los Angeles office.

[Akhil Davis]

The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack against the IVF facility make no mistake, we are treating this, as I said yesterday, as an intentional act of terrorism.

[Charles Manes]

He also says they think Barkus was.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Trying to live stream the bombing.

[Charles Manes]

The blast damaged several buildings and left.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Debris strewn several blocks away.

[Charles Manes]

Israel says it's launched extensive new ground operations in Gaza. And hospitals and medics say airstrikes in.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Israel's new offensive killed at least 103 people this weekend, including dozens of children. This has ceasefire talks continue.

[Charles Manes]

Israel's prime minister office says it will.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Now allow food aid into Gaza after blocking all of it for 11 weeks. You're listening to NPR News.

[Charles Manes]

Pope Leo, the first American pope, celebrated his inaugural Mass in front of tens.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Of thousands of people and foreign delegations.

[Charles Manes]

From around the world, including Vice President Vance. Leo promised to try to address the.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Challenges of the modern age while safeguarding traditional teachings of the Catholic Church. From Vatican City, NPR's Ruth Sherlock has more.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Soaring choir music rang across St. Peter's Square as Pope Leo XIV processed up the aisle of the basilica. He was given the gold fisherman's signet ring and the white woollen pallium liturgical dress. In his homily, Pope Leo said he desires a united church. He criticized the global economic system that he said exploits the earth's resources and marginalizes the poorest. And he called for a changed, better, peaceful world. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Vatican City.

[Jeanine Herbst]

An investigation is underway after a Mexican Navy tall ship struck the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Charles Manes]

Last night, leaving at least two people dead.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Nearly two dozen officials say the ship lost power before striking the 142-year-old suspension bridge.

[Charles Manes]

As traffic flowed nearby, the ship's three masts snapped off. The Coast Guard says commercial water traffic.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In the area was briefly suspended, and the ship has been towed away.

[Charles Manes]

New York Mayor Eric Adams, though, says.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The bridge wasn't damaged. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[NPR Sponsorship Voice]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.