NPR News: 05-25-2025 11PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 26, 2025

Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: NPR

---

1. Administration Targets Harvard Over International Student Enrollment

Timestamp: [00:18]

President Donald Trump has intensified his administration's efforts to restrict Harvard University's enrollment of international students. As reported by Dan Ronan, the administration is scrutinizing Harvard's admission practices, particularly concerning the financial contributions of students from certain countries.

Joe Hernandez detailed the President's stance during a return trip to Washington from New Jersey:

"We want a list of those foreign students and we'll find out whether or not they're okay. Many will be okay. I assume, and I assume with Harvard, many will be."
— President Donald Trump [00:49]

The contention arises from claims that some international students are not contributing financially to the institution, coupled with broader geopolitical tensions. Harvard President Alan Garber responded to a temporary federal injunction blocking the administration's move:

"This ruling is a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars."
— Alan Garber, Harvard President [01:00]

Harvard has yet to provide a formal comment on the matter, leaving the dispute unresolved as legal and administrative actions continue.

---

2. Commemorating Five Years Since George Floyd's Death

Timestamp: [01:22]

The nation marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis, a pivotal event that galvanized the racial justice movement across the United States. Dan Ronan reports on the year's commemorative activities led by Matt Sipic of Minnesota Public Radio.

Matt Sipic highlights the significance of the location now known as George Floyd Square:

"The intersection where George Floyd was killed in 2020 soon became a gathering place for racial justice demonstrations and remains the site of a memorial."
— Matt Sipic [01:37]

Events held include a religious service, a gospel concert, and a candlelight vigil, all serving to honor Floyd's memory and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. The anniversary also revisits the legal aftermath, noting a court-ordered oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department initiated by a state judge. Recent actions by the Trump administration aim to undermine federal oversight through a consent decree, stirring further debate within the community.

---

3. Largest Russian Aerial Attack on Ukraine Since 2022

Timestamp: [02:14]

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched over 350 missiles and drones at Ukraine, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and numerous injuries. Dan Ronan introduces the segment, with Charles Mintz providing in-depth coverage.

Charles Mintz describes the scale and impact of the assault:

"The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble."
— Charles Mintz [02:29]

Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure, a charge Russia denies, asserting that the strikes were precise attacks on military objectives. Concurrently, Russia's Defense Ministry has blamed Ukraine for persistent drone incursions into Russian airspace over three consecutive days.

Amidst these hostilities, both nations have engaged in a prisoner exchange, releasing 1,000 detainees as the sole tangible outcome of recent peace negotiations. However, the talks have stalled over disagreements on ceasefire terms, with Russia declining to endorse a U.S.-backed truce.

---

4. Pope Leo Formalizes Role as Bishop of Rome

Timestamp: [03:08]

In a historic religious development, Pope Leo has formalized his position as the new Bishop of Rome. Dan Ronan reports from the Vatican, outlining the Pope's proclamation and background.

Pope Leo delivered a homily emphasizing his commitment to the Roman Catholic Church's spiritual leadership. Although he holds the title of Bishop of Rome, Dan Ronan notes that administrative responsibilities typically fall to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, known as a vicar.

Born and raised in Chicago, Pope Leo has spent a significant portion of his adult life in Peru, bringing a diverse cultural perspective to his papacy. During his visit to Rome, he met with the city's mayor at City Hall, signaling his intention to engage with local governance and community leaders.

---

5. Alex Palou Makes History at the Indy 500

Timestamp: [03:57]

Driver Alex Palou achieved a historic victory by becoming the first Spaniard to win the iconic Indy 500 race. Dan Ronan covers the event, with firsthand insights from Quinn Kleinfelter of WDET.

Quinn Kleinfelter describes the challenging conditions of the race:

"It was a race marked by unusually cold weather and numerous crashes."
— Quinn Kleinfelter [03:57]

Palou, representing Team Penske, overcame adverse weather and high fuel consumption to secure his win. Despite dominating the initial stages of the IndyCar season with four wins out of five races, this marked his first oval speedway triumph.

Alex Palou reflected on his hard-fought victory:

"It was tough, tough conditions out there... The fuel consumption was super high, so made it happen. I already lost my voice and haven't even started celebrating."
— Alex Palou [04:10]

Team Penske faced additional challenges, with two cars starting from the back due to penalties and another crashing during warm-up, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the event.

---

6. Memorial Day and Retail Promotions

Timestamp: [04:39]

As Memorial Day approaches, millions of Americans prepare to honor fallen military members. Concurrently, retail businesses see this day as a pivotal moment for spring and summer sales promotions. Dan Ronan highlights the economic and cultural significance of Memorial Day from Washington.

The day not only serves as a time for remembrance but also marks an essential period for retailers to boost sales through various promotions. With many stores remaining open, consumers are encouraged to take advantage of special deals, making Memorial Day a dual-purpose holiday blending tribute with commerce.

---

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the May 26, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the full broadcast.

Transcript

[Mint Mobile Ad]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch live from NPR.

[Dan Ronan]

News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump is again targeting Harvard University as the administration attempts to block the school from enrolling international students. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports. Trump commented about the dispute dispute as he was returning to Washington from New Jersey.

[Joe Hernandez]

Trump said that the home countries of some of Harvard's international students don't pay for their education and are, quote, not at all friendly to the United States. He added that the administration wants to know the identities of those students, but that Harvard hasn't been forthcoming.

[Donald Trump]

We want a list of those foreign students and we'll find out whether or not they're okay. Many will be okay. I assume, and I assume with Harvard, many will be.

[Joe Hernandez]

Harvard did not immediately reply to NPR's request for comment. On Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Harvard President Alan Garber said the ruling was, quote, a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

Sunday marks five years since the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As Matt Sipic of Minnesota Public Radio, the community is marking the anniversary with events honoring both Floyd and the racial justice movement.

[Matt Sepik]

The intersection where George Floyd was killed in 2020 soon became a gathering place for racial justice demonstrations and remains the site of a memorial. Commemorative events at what is now called George Floyd Square include a religious service, gospel concert and a candlelight vigil. The 46 year old black man died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck and back for more than nine minutes. Floyd's killing led to court ordered oversight of the Minneapolis department by a state judge. Last week, the Trump administration moved to scuttle plans for a federal court to provide additional oversight through a consent decree. For NPR News, I'm Matt Sepik in Minneapolis.

[Dan Ronan]

Russia launched more than 350 missiles and drones on Ukraine, killing at least 12 people and injuring scores more. Ukrainian officials say it's the largest aerial attack in since 2022. NPR's Charles mainnes reports.

[Charles Mintz]

The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians. Yet in a statement, Russia's Defense Ministry said it had carried out precision strikes against a range of military targets. The ministry also accused Ukraine of sending waves of drones into Russian airspace for the third day in a row. All of this has unfolded as Moscow and Kyiv made good on a pledge to free 1,000 prisoners from both sides, the lone substantive result from recent peace talks that saw Russia refuse to join Ukraine in agreeing to a U S backed ceasefire. Charles Mintz, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

Moscow and the two nations exchanged prisoners over the weekend from Washington, you're listening to NPR News. At the Vatican Sunday, formalizing himself as the new pope, Pope Leo declared himself a Roman. It was in a homily he was becoming the new bishop of Rome. While the pope has the title of bishop of Rome, most of the administrative duties are usually designated to an auxiliary bishop or an assistant bishop, known as a vicar. Pope Leo was born and raised in Chicago. He spent much of his adult life in Peru. The pope also met with the mayor of Rome at City Hall. Driver Alex Palou on Sunday became the first Spaniard to win the historic Indy 500. As WDET's Quinn Klinfelter reports, it was a race marked by unusually cold weather and numerous crashes.

[Quinn Kleinfelter]

Pillot had dominated the start of the IndyCar season, winning four out of five races, but he'd never tasted victory on an oval speedway until now at Indy. And Pillow says he nearly ran out of fuel before crossing the finish line.

[Alex Palou]

It was tough, tough conditions out there, especially when you're like third or fourth in the pack. The fuel consumption was super high, so made it happen. I already lost my voice and haven't even started celebrating.

[Quinn Kleinfelter]

It was a forgettable 500 for renowned Detroit based Team Penske. Two of its cars started from the back of the 33 car field because of penalties and its third car crashed during the warm up lapse before the race began. For NPR News, I'm Quinn Kleinfelter in Detroit.

[Dan Ronan]

While millions of Americans will be remembering our fallen military members on Memorial Day, a large number of the country's retail businesses will be open. Monday is becoming an important day for promotions and spring and summer sales. From Washington, this is NPR News. I'm Dan Ronan.

[Wise Ad]

This message comes from Wise, the app for doing things and other currencies. With Wise, you can send, spend or receive money across borders, all at a fair exchange rate, no markups or hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit wise. Com Ts and Cs apply.