NPR News: 05-19-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 19, 2025

U.S. House Budget Committee Advances President Trump's Budget Bill

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [00:19]

The House Budget Committee has moved forward President Donald Trump's proposed budget bill to the full House floor. Initially, GOP Congressman Lloyd Schmucker of Pennsylvania voted against the bill on Friday. However, he expressed renewed confidence in its prospects, stating:

“People are confident that these things will be resolved and we'll get this bill, this big beautiful bill to the president and we'll make it a reality in the lives of the American people.”
— Lloyd Schmucker [00:33]

Despite Schmucker's optimism, the bill faces significant challenges. House Democrats remain united in their opposition, and some conservative Republicans are demanding additional measures, such as further spending cuts and the introduction of work requirements for Medicaid, before extending their support. The legislative landscape remains uncertain as negotiations continue.

President Trump's Efforts to Negotiate an End to the Ukraine War

Host: Dale Willman
Reporter: Charles Maines
Timestamp: [00:45 - 01:48]

President Trump is actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to conclude the protracted war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year. Scheduled to hold discussions with leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and NATO on Monday, Trump aims to broker peace and reduce ongoing tensions.

In recent developments, peace talks were held in Istanbul, Turkey, between Russian and Ukrainian delegates. While these negotiations resulted in an agreement for a mass prisoner swap, they fell short of meeting Western demands. Notably, Russia agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire; however, military operations have persisted. Over the weekend, Russia launched extensive drone attacks, continuing its military campaign despite the temporary truce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains steadfast in his commitment to the war's objectives. In a state television interview, Putin asserted:

“Russia will maintain the necessary means to achieve our military objectives and see this conflict through to its logical conclusion.”
— Vladimir Putin [01:48]

These statements indicate that despite diplomatic overtures, the conflict shows little sign of abating in the immediate future.

Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Advanced Prostate Cancer

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [01:48]

In a significant health update, the office of former President Joe Biden announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis revealed that the cancer has metastasized to his bones, indicating an aggressive form of the disease. However, doctors have noted that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, which allows for more effective management and treatment options. The condition was discovered on Friday after Biden reported experiencing urinary issues. This development raises concerns about Biden’s health and its potential implications for his public and political engagements.

FBI Identifies Suspect in Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing

Host: Dale Willman
Reporter: Jason DeRose
Timestamp: [02:17 - 02:41]

Law enforcement officials have identified Edward Bartkus, a 25-year-old male, as the prime suspect behind the recent bombing at the American Reproductive Center's clinic in Palm Springs, California. Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI's Los Angeles office, stated:

The FBI is “fairly confident” in Bartkus's involvement in the explosion that caused extensive damage to the clinic and surrounding areas.
— Akil Davis [02:17]

The attack, characterized as an act of terrorism, resulted in shattered windows in neighboring buildings and debris scattered across a five-lane street for several blocks. Investigators are meticulously combing through nearby streets, yards, and parking lots in search of additional evidence. This targeted assault signifies a disturbing escalation in attacks against reproductive health facilities.

Train Accident in Fremont, Ohio Claims Two Lives

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [03:02]

A tragic train accident in Fremont, Ohio, has resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The incident occurred around 7 PM on Sunday when a train struck multiple pedestrians, leaving one person missing. Emergency crews are currently searching the Sandusky River near the crash site in an effort to locate the missing individual. The community is grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event as officials investigate the circumstances leading to the accident.

Poland's Presidential Election Heads to Runoff

Host: Dale Willman
Reporter: Terry Schultz
Timestamp: [03:02 - 03:30]

In Poland, the first round of the presidential election concluded with a narrow victory for Rafał Jagielski, a liberal former member of the European Parliament. Despite underperforming relative to expectations, Jagielski edged out his nationalist rival, Karl Novroski, setting the stage for a runoff election on June 1.

“Jagielski did worse than Poles predicted, but managed to squeeze out a victory over his nationalist rival Karl Novroski to head into the second round of presidential voting.”
— Terry Schultz [03:30]

The election dynamics are further complicated by the presence of two other far-right candidates who collectively garnered over 20% of the vote. Potential endorsements from these candidates could bolster Novroski's chances in the runoff, presenting formidable challenges for Jagielski. Jagielski, the mayor of Warsaw and a member of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party, has pledged to reverse the conservative legislative actions of the previous administration. Achieving this legislative rollback is contingent upon the cooperation between the incoming president and Prime Minister Tusk, given the Polish president's authority to veto laws.

Suicide Bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia Leaves Multiple Casualties

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [04:10]

A devastating suicide bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, resulted in the deaths of at least ten individuals and injured 21 others. The attack targeted a group of young recruits awaiting registration at a military camp. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, Al Shabaab, an extremist organization affiliated with al Qaeda, is suspected given the area's history of similar attacks. This assault underscores the ongoing security challenges in Somalia and the persistent threat posed by extremist factions within the region.

Hollywood Box Office Highlights

Host: Dale Willman
Timestamp: [04:10]

In entertainment news, the Warner Brothers film "Final Destination: Bloodlines" secured the top spot in North American theaters this weekend, grossing an impressive $51 million in ticket sales. Following closely was Disney's "Thunderbolts," which amassed $16.5 million. Looking ahead, Hollywood enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the release of major blockbusters next week, including "Mission Impossible 8" and "Lilo & Stitch," both expected to generate significant box office revenues.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, ranging from U.S. legislative developments and political health updates to global conflicts and tragic incidents. The detailed reporting and inclusion of notable quotes offer listeners a thorough understanding of the day's most pressing issues.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

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[Dale Willman]

LIVE from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The House Budget Committee advanced President Trump's budget bill to the full House Sunday night. GOP Congressman Lloyd Schmucker of Pennsylvania had voted no to the bill on Friday, but now says he confident the measure will become law.

[Lloyd Schmucker]

People are confident that these things will be resolved and we'll get this bill, this big beautiful bill to the president and we'll make it a reality in the lives of the American people.

[Dale Willman]

The bill, however, may face some stiff hurdles. House Democrats are united against the measure and some conservative Republicans say they want more spending cuts along with a work requirement for Medicaid before offering their support. President Trump will be working the phones Monday as he hopes to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, which is now in its fourth year. Trump is scheduled to speak with leaders from Russia, Ukraine and NATO. NPR's Charles Maines reports.

[Charles Maines]

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. In 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.

[Dale Willman]

Former President Joe Biden's office says he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer and the cancer has spread into his bones. While the cancer is a more aggressive form of the disease diagnosis, doctors say the cancer is hormone sensitive, which allows for more effective management. Doctors discovered the cancer on Friday after the 82 year old had reported urinary issues. Law enforcement officials have named a suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm springs, California, Saturday. NPR's Jason DeRose has the latest.

[Jason DeRose]

The FBI says it's fairly confident 25 year old guy Edward Bartkus is behind the explosion that badly damaged American Reproductive Center's clinic. Akil Davis is assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles office.

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The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack against the IDF facility. Make no mistake, we are treating this.

[Lloyd Schmucker]

As I said yesterday, as an intentional.

[Jason DeRose]

Act of terrorism, the blast was powerful. It blew out windows in neighboring buildings. Debris is strewn across the five lane street where the IVF clinic is located, as well as for blocks around. Investigators are combing streets, yards and parking lots nearby looking for additional evidence. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Palm Springs.

[Dale Willman]

Officials in Fremont, Ohio, say two people have been killed after a number of pedestrians were hit by a train there. One other person is missing. Emergency crews are now searching the Sandusky river near the site of the crash. The accident happened around 7pm on Sunday. This is NPR News. A liberal former member of the European Parliament has narrowly won the first round in Poland's presidential election. As Terry Schultz reports, there will now be a runoff election on June 1.

[Terry Schultz]

Rafajaskowski did worse than Poles predicted, but managed to squeeze out a victory over his nationalist rival Karl Nobroski to head into the second round of presidential voting. Two other far right candidates garnered more than 20% of the vote combined. So if they throw their weight behind Novsky, it makes the next round even more daunting for Tuskovsky. He's the mayor of Warsaw and a member of Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform party who promises to roll back the conservative laws of the previous government. That hasn't been possible for Prime Minister Tusk without going President Andre Duda in office because the Polish president can block laws. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.

[Dale Willman]

A suicide bomber in Somalia's capital of Mogadishu killed at least 10 people and wounded 21 others. Officials say the bomber was targeting a group of young recruits waiting to register at a military camp. No group has claimed responsibility, but the area has been frequently targeted by the al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab extremist group. The Warner Brothers flick Final Destination, Bloodlines grabbed first place this weekend in North American theaters with 51 million in ticket sales. Disney's Thunderbolts, meanwhile, took the second spot with 16 and a half million dollars in sales. The big weekend for Hollywood, though, is next week, which will see the release of potential blockbusters Mission Impossible 8 and Lilo and Stitch. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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