NPR News: 05-18-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 18, 2025

Host: Giles Snyder
Release Date: May 18, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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Local News

Palm Springs Explosion Reclassified as Terrorism

In a startling development from Palm Springs, a tragic explosion at a local fertility clinic has prompted authorities to classify the incident under terrorism. Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills addressed the community, aiming to alleviate fears following the blast.

"Make sure that our community understands this is an isolated incident. I am confident that the community is not at risk any longer."
— Andrew Mills, Palm Springs Police Chief [00:32]

The explosion, identified as a car bombing, resulted in one fatality and extensive damage throughout the city. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the suspect, stating that there is no longer an active search.

Additionally, a maritime accident occurred last night when a tall-masted Mexican Navy vessel collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in two deaths and nineteen injuries.

"The boat hit the bridge shortly before 8:30 PM to police, all lanes on the bridge were briefly closed to traffic."
— Bridget Bergen, Member Station WNINYC [03:33]

Preliminary reports suggest that the ship's pilot lost power due to a mechanical issue, though the exact cause remains under investigation. All crew members were accounted for following the incident.

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State News

Kentucky Suffers Severe Storm Damage

Kentucky has been battered by severe storms that swept through the state on Friday night, leading to significant loss of life and property. Governor Andy Beshear conducted aerial and ground surveys of the affected areas, confirming at least eighteen fatalities and numerous critical injuries.

"I worry there might be a block, a whole block out there. Everybody's dead, and I hope that's not the case. But you see five houses in a row. They're just gone."
— Governor Andy Beshear [01:20]

In response to the devastation, Governor Beshear has requested a federal disaster declaration. Concurrently, members of the Kentucky General Assembly have pledged state funding to support recovery efforts.

Maryland Governor Vetoes Reparations Commission

In Maryland, Governor West Moore has vetoed a bill proposing the creation of a commission to study reparations for descendants of enslaved individuals. The veto has sparked disappointment among the state's Black Caucus, who highlighted the bill's passage by a veto-proof majority.

"Now is not the time for another study. Instead, it's time for action, including policies he will introduce to address barriers to black families, access to work and wealth."
— Governor West Moore [01:56]

Amy Held from NPR reports that while a Pew study from 2022 indicates strong support for reparations within the Black American community, a majority of all U.S. adults oppose such measures. Despite the veto in Maryland, states like California are progressing with their reparations initiatives.

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International News

Escalation in Gaza and Israel Conflict

The Gaza Strip continues to grapple with intense conflict, with health officials reporting that at least 300 Palestinians have lost their lives in recent days. Israel has intensified its military operations in the region. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled despite fresh indirect negotiations in Doha.

"Hamas is offering to release nine hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire deal, the release of Palestinians held by Israel, and humanitarian aid."
— Unnamed Reporter, BBC [03:06]

As of now, no significant breakthroughs have been achieved, and the situation remains volatile.

Papal Transition at the Vatican

A momentous event unfolded at the Vatican as tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to witness the formal installation of Pope Leo XIV. The inauguration marked the beginning of his papacy with a solemn mass and the acceptance of traditional symbols of his authority, including the Apollium vestment and the fisherman's ring.

"Dicente autorita membre del corpo diplomatico."
— Pope Leo XIV [04:28]

Vice President J.D. Vance led the U.S. delegation and was among the last foreign officials to see the late Pope Francis before his passing, symbolizing continuity and the global significance of the Vatican's leadership transition.

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Conclusion

Today’s episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of significant events ranging from local tragedies and state-level policy decisions to international conflicts and pivotal moments within the Catholic Church. Hosts and reporters provided timely updates, insightful quotes, and authoritative perspectives, ensuring listeners remained informed on critical developments shaping the world.

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This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and quotes from the NPR News Now episode aired on May 18, 2025. For the complete details and ongoing coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR's broadcasts.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills says terrorism came knocking at the door of his city. But after yesterday's explosion at a fertility clinic, he sought to reassure the community.

[Andrew Mills]

Make sure that our community understands this is an isolated incident. I am confident that the community is not at risk any longer.

[Giles Snyder]

Police say one person was killed in a blast that's been reported as a.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Car explosion and it was heard across.

[Giles Snyder]

The city and caused widespread damage. Officials are not revealing the name of the suspect, but they say they are.

[Unnamed Reporter]

No longer searching for one.

[Giles Snyder]

The governor of Kentucky is confirming at.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Least 18 fatalities and dozens of injuries, some critical, following severe storms that cut through the state Friday night.

[Giles Snyder]

Karen Zarr, Forth member station wuky, reports.

[Unnamed Reporter]

From London, one of the hardest hit Kentucky cities.

[Andy Beshear]

Governor Andy Beshear surveyed damage from the air, then on the ground. Beshear said right now all efforts are on search and rescue, and he has one fear in mind.

[Unnamed Governor]

I worry there might be a block, a whole block out there. Everybody's dead, and I hope that's not the case. But you see five houses in a row. They're just gone.

[Andy Beshear]

Beshear has put in a request for an official federal disaster declaration, and several members of the Kentucky General assembly have promised state funding would be made available for recovery. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in London.

[Unnamed Reporter]

To Maryland now, where the nation's only sitting black governor has vetoed a bill to create a commission to study reparations.

[Giles Snyder]

In Maryland, NPR's Amy Held reports a.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Panel would have defined economic harms to.

[Giles Snyder]

Descendants of enslaved people and of impossible remedies.

[Amy Held]

In his veto letter, Governor West Moore writes, now is not the time for another study. Instead, he writes, it's time for action, including policies he will introduce to address barriers to black families, access to work and wealth. Maryland's Black Caucus issued their own statement expressing disappointment, noting the measure passed with a veto proof majority and, quote, the legislature will have the final say. A Pew study from 2022 finds 3/4 of black Americans think descendants of people enslaved in the should be repaid in some way. A majority of all US Adults oppose reparations. California is among several states and cities moving forward on reparations plans. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Health officials in Gaza say at least.

[Unnamed Reporter]

300 Palestinians have been killed over the past few days.

[Giles Snyder]

Israel pressing a new military offensive in Gaza as negotiators for Israel and Hamas.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Held a fresh round of indirect talks in Doha yesterday.

[Giles Snyder]

No breakthrough has been reported, but the.

[Unnamed Reporter]

BBC is reporting that Hamas is offering.

[Giles Snyder]

To release nine hostages in exchange for.

[Unnamed Reporter]

A 60 day ceasefire deal, the release of Palestinians held by Israel and humanitarian aid. This is npr.

[Giles Snyder]

National Transportation Safety Board expected to launch an investigation after a tall masted ship.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Struck the Brooklyn Bridge last night.

[Giles Snyder]

Two people were killed.

[Unnamed Reporter]

At least 19 others were injured. Bridget Bergin at member station WNINYC reports on what happened.

[Bridget Bergen]

The boat hit the bridge shortly before 8:30pm to police, all lanes on the bridge were briefly closed to traffic. And the Coast Guard says commercial activity in the area has been suspended. Videos posted on social media show the boats masts striking the bridge and toppling over. The ship then nearly careens into the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Officials say the ship, which had 277 crew members, is a Mexican Navy vessel that arrived in New York last week. His pilot part of a training cruise. The Coast Guard said all personnel had been accounted for. For NPR News, I'm Bridget Bergen in New York.

[Giles Snyder]

Preliminary reports say the pilot of the ship had lost power due to a.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Mechanical issue, but the exact cause remains unclear.

[Giles Snyder]

At the Vatican, tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to see Pope Leo XIV formally installed as the leader of the Catholic Church.

[Pope Leo XIV]

Dicente autorita membre del corpo diplomatico.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Pope Leo celebrating his inaugural mass marking the official start of his papacy. He received two signs of his pontificate, a vestment known as Apollium and the fisherman's ring.

[Giles Snyder]

Vice President J.D.

[Unnamed Reporter]

Vance led the U.S. delegation.

[Giles Snyder]

He was one of the last foreign officials to see Pope Francis before he died. This is NPR News.

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