NPR News: 05-26-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 26, 2025, 7 PM EDT

Hosted by Jeanine Hurst

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International Affairs: Tensions Escalate Between the U.S. and Russia Over Ukraine

Jeanine Hurst opens the evening news by addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for what he describes as an unwarranted increase in missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Charles Maynes reports on the exchange, highlighting Trump's assertion that Putin has "gone absolutely crazy" for his actions ("[00:34]"). In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Trump's efforts to end the war but labeled his criticism as "emotional overload at a tense moment in wider peace negotiations" ("[00:34]"). This back-and-forth follows a recent phone call between Trump and Putin, where Trump declared both Moscow and Kyiv ready to negotiate a ceasefire—a deal that remains elusive. Critics remain skeptical, suggesting that the Kremlin may be prolonging talks to strengthen its military position.

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Domestic News: Tragic Incident in Liverpool During Soccer Celebration

In a somber update, Jeanine Hurst reports on a disturbing incident in Liverpool where a 53-year-old British man drove his minivan into a crowd celebrating the city’s soccer club victory, resulting in multiple injuries.

Nick Searle, the chief fire officer, provides a detailed account: “On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured people and four persons trapped under a vehicle. Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues” ("[01:30]"). In total, 27 individuals were hospitalized, and at least 20 received on-site treatment, including four children. Police are investigating the motive but currently believe the attack was an isolated incident rather than an act of terrorism.

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U.S. Politics: Senate to Debate Multi-Trillion Dollar Spending Bill Amid Medicaid Concerns

As the Senate prepares to resume sessions post-Memorial Day recess, attention turns to the proposed multi-trillion dollar government spending bill. Jeanine Hurst highlights concerns from disability advocates and rights groups regarding potential cuts to Medicaid and increased state involvement in the program.

Katie Neese, CEO of The Arc, emphasizes the dire consequences of the proposed cuts: “Millions of children and adults with disabilities rely on Medicaid for doctor's visits, specialized care and medications, also long term care” ("[02:20]"). She warns that “billions in cuts would mean people would lose cover” ("[02:20]").

Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, counters these claims by asserting that the new work requirements aim to reduce “waste, fraud, and abuse” within the system ("[02:44]"). However, Neese responds, arguing that these requirements could disenfranchise many who should be exempt: “It should be going to people who physically cannot work” ("[02:54]"). The Congressional Budget Office estimates that approximately 8.7 million individuals could lose Medicaid coverage if the bill passes ("[02:58]").

Kristen Wright of NPR underscores the gravity of the situation, noting the significant impact this legislation could have on vulnerable populations ("[02:58]").

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Economy: U.S. Futures Show Positive Momentum

In brief economic news, Jeanine Hurst reports that U.S. futures contracts are trading higher, with the S&P 500 futures up by more than 1% at the time of broadcast ("[03:07]"). Investors are responding positively to recent developments in both domestic and international markets.

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Royal News: King Charles’s Visit to Canada Highlights Sovereignty Amid U.S. Tensions

King Charles is currently in Ottawa, Canada, for a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing Canada's sovereignty. Jeanine Hurst relays Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's statement that the visit underscores Canada's independence, especially in light of President Trump's recent remarks about the potential annexation of Canada ("[03:07]"). During his stay, King Charles is scheduled to open Parliament and deliver a speech from the throne, outlining the government's agenda. As the head of state in Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth of Former Colonies, King Charles's actions are closely watched for their diplomatic implications.

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Entertainment: Phil Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" Passes Away at 79

In entertainment news, Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the reality TV show "Duck Dynasty," has died at the age of 79. Jeanine Hurst notes that Robertson battled Alzheimer's disease from 2012 until his passing in 2017, and his family's life continued to be featured on one of television's most popular reality shows.

Mandalit Del Barco provides a heartfelt tribute: “In 1972, Louisiana hunter Phil Robertson whittled a duck calling whistle he dubbed the duck commander. That led him to found a family-run duck hunting gear company that was documented on the reality show Duck Dynasty” ("[04:06]"). Reflecting on Robertson's legacy, he is remembered for saying, “I'm a low tech man in a high tech world. When mallard ducks see these decals, they will be mesmerized, hypnotized and paralyzed” ("[04:19]"). Despite controversies, including Robertson’s anti-gay remarks, his influence extended beyond television to merchandise, an album, and an upcoming podcast revival set to launch in the summer ("[04:28]").

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Market Update: U.S. Futures Climb as Investors Remain Optimistic

Wrapping up the news, Jeanine Hurst reiterates that U.S. futures are experiencing gains, with the S&P 500 futures increasing by over 1%, signaling a positive outlook among investors ("[03:07]").

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the latest events shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Hurst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. The Kremlin is playing down President Trump's criticism of a weakened barrage of Russian attacks across Ukraine that killed at least 12 people and injured scores of others. NPR's Charles Mains has more.

[Charles Maynes]

In comments posted to social media, Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had, quote, gone absolutely crazy and was shooting missiles and drones into Ukraine for no reason whatsoever. Trump also said he was considering additional new sanctions on Russia as a result. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov thanked Trump for his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, but suggested Trump's latest criticism was, quote, emotional overload at a tense moment in wider peace negotiations. Following a lengthy phone call with Putin last week, Trump declared Moscow and Kyiv were ready to immediately start negotiating a ceasefire. They have not. And critics accused the Kremlin of dragging out talks as it improves its battlefield position. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Jeanine Hurst]

British police have arrested a 53 year old British man after his minivan plowed into a crowd of people celebrating Liverpool's soccer club win today. Dozens were injured. Nick Searle is the chief fire officer.

[Nick Searle]

On arrival, the crews were met with numerous injured people and four persons trapped under a vehicle. Our crews rapidly lifted the vehicle, removed three adults and one child from beneath and passed them to our ambulance service colleagues.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In all, 27 people were sent to hospitals and at least 20 others were treated at the scene. Four children are among the injured. Police are still working to determine what happened, but they say they don't believe this is terrorism and they think this was an isolated incident. The Senate is expected to take up the multi trillion dollar government spending bill after it returns from the Memorial Day recess. People with disabilities and rights groups though, fear proposed cuts to Medicaid and a larger state role in the program could have devastating consequences. NPR's Kristen Wright has more.

[Katie Neese]

Millions of children and adults with disabilities rely on Medicaid for doctor's visits, specialized care and medications, also long term care. Katie Neese, CEO of the arc, says billions in cuts would mean people would lose cover.

[Caroline Levitt]

To assume that states can stand up these new administrative procedures swiftly and efficiently just isn't pragmatic.

[Katie Neese]

Advocates say new work requirements would also kick off many who should be exempt. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt insists those requirements target waste fraud and abuse.

[Unnamed Advocate]

It should be going to people who physically cannot work.

[Katie Neese]

The nonpartisan Congressional budget office estimates 8.7 million people could lose Medicaid coverage under the bill. Kristen wright, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. S and P500 futures up more than 1%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. King Charles is in Ottawa, Canada, today for his two day visit that Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney says underscores his nation's sovereignty. This amid President Trump's talk of annexing its northern neighbor. Tomorrow, Charles will open Parliament and give a speech from the throne outlining his government's agenda. The new Parliament, Charles is the head of state in Canada, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of Former Colonies. Phil Robertson, the patriarch of reality TV's Duck Dynasty, has died at the age of 79. He had Alzheimer's disease from 2012 until 2017. His family's life was fodder for one of the most popular shows on AE Imperial's Mandalit. Del Bargo has more.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

In 1972, Louisiana hunter Phil Robertson whittled a duck calling whistle he dubbed the duck commander. That led him to found a family run duck hunting gear company that was documented on the reality show Duck Dynasty.

[Phil Robertson]

I'm a low tech man in a high tech world. When mallard ducks see these decals, they will be mesmerized, hypnotized and paralyzed.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

The irreverent series followed Robertson and his large family as they hunted the Robertson once sparked controversy for anti gay comments he made in a magazine. But his popularity resulted not only in spin offs, but also Duck Dynasty merchandise, an album and a podcast with the series revival set to begin this summer. Mandalit del Barco, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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