NPR News: 05-26-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 26, 2025, 8 PM EDT – Detailed Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the day’s most pressing events, covering incidents ranging from local tragedies to significant policy changes and international affairs. Below is a detailed summary of the key stories discussed in the episode released on May 27, 2025.

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1. Tragic Incident at Liverpool Soccer Celebration

Timestamp: [00:21] – [01:12]

The episode opened with a distressing report from Liverpool, where a British man driving a minivan deliberately plowed into a crowd of approximately 50 people celebrating the local soccer club's victory. The incident resulted in significant injuries, including four children among the wounded.

Key Details:

• Casualties: 27 individuals were transported to hospitals, while over 20 others received immediate treatment at the scene.
• Perpetrator: A 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area was apprehended at the scene and is currently in custody.

Quotes:

• Police Spokesperson: “[00:40]** “We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle. Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.”
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “[00:58]** “My thoughts are with those injured or affected by this tragic event. We commend the police for their swift response.”

Authorities have stated that there is no evidence to suggest the incident was an act of terrorism, and investigations continue to determine the motive behind the attack.

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2. President Trump's Executive Order on Homeless Veterans in Los Angeles

Timestamp: [01:12] – [02:19]

A significant development in veteran affairs was highlighted with President Trump signing an executive order aimed at addressing homelessness among veterans in Los Angeles. The order mandates the transformation of the nearly 400-acre Veterans Affairs (VA) campus in West LA into housing and care facilities for 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028.

Key Details:

• Background: A 2011 lawsuit compelled the VA to commence housing projects on the campus, but progress had been sluggish until the recent executive order.
• Local Response: Veterans’ advocates in Los Angeles have long campaigned for the use of the VA campus to support homeless veterans, viewing the executive order as a significant victory.

Quotes:

• Rob Reynolds, Iraq Veteran: “[01:58]** “I'm very thankful that President Trump took this, that with this executive order that this is a soldier's home and it was donated for that reason and that we need to get our veterans off the street.”

Despite previous opposition from some VA officials regarding the concentration of troubled veterans in one area, the collaborative efforts between advocates and the executive order are expected to bring substantial support to those in need.

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3. Royal Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla in Canada

Timestamp: [02:19] – [03:09]

King Charles and Queen Camilla made a notable two-day visit to Canada, marking King Charles's first trip to the country since his coronation in 2023. The visit underscores Canada's sovereignty and reinforces the symbolic ties between the monarchy and the nation.

Key Details:

• Activities: The royal couple arrived in Ottawa and engaged in a series of public events, including presiding over the opening of Canada’s latest session of Parliament.
• Significance: The visit is viewed as a gesture of support for Canada’s political stability amidst rumors of potential annexation attempts by foreign powers, including implications involving President Trump.

Quotes:

• Emma Jacobs, Reporter: “[02:29]** “The royal couple participated in a series of public events around Ottawa. On Tuesday, the king will preside over the opening of Canada's latest session of Parliament, a symbolic gesture that is seen as lending support to and its current political order.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney extended a warm invitation, highlighting the importance of the monarchy’s presence in maintaining Canada’s ceremonial traditions and national unity.

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4. France Faces Nationwide Protests from Farmers and Taxi Drivers

Timestamp: [03:17] – [03:56]

In France, growing unrest among farmers and taxi drivers has culminated in widespread protests, disrupting daily life across the nation. These groups have united under shared grievances, leading to significant disruptions.

Key Details:

• Farmers' Protest: Opposition to a new agricultural bill that introduces stricter regulations on water usage and pesticide application has fueled discontent among the farming community.
• Taxi Drivers' Strike: Changes to the fare structure for medical transport services have sparked outrage among taxi drivers, leading to strikes that have obstructed major roads.

Quotes:

• NPR News Reporter: “[03:36]** “A taxi strike last week blocked hundreds of miles of roads around Paris.”

The combined actions of these groups signify deep-seated frustrations with governmental policies and economic pressures, posing challenges for authorities to address the underlying issues effectively.

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5. Hells Canyon Age Revealed by Scientists

Timestamp: [03:41] – [04:46]

A groundbreaking discovery has shed light on the geological history of Hells Canyon, the deepest river canyon in the United States, located on the border between Oregon and Idaho. Scientists have determined the canyon's age, revealing it to be significantly younger than previously thought.

Key Details:

• Research Findings: Analysis of ancient river sediments found within canyon cave systems indicates that Hells Canyon was carved approximately 2.1 million years ago.
• Comparison: This makes Hells Canyon millions of years younger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona, which has long been celebrated for its extensive geological formations.

Quotes:

• Matthew Morris, Utah Geological Survey: “[04:15]** “At its deepest point, Hell's Canyon goes down almost eight feet. I wanted to know the age of this canyon, and to find out, I needed to analyze sand and gravel deposited by the river long ago as it was cutting through the rock.”
• Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR: “[04:18]** “You're looking for pieces of evidence of where the river used to be.”

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides new insights into the dynamic processes that shape our natural landscapes.

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6. Wall Street Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

Timestamp: [04:46] – [04:56]

Concluding the episode, it was noted that Wall Street remained closed on the day of the report in observance of Memorial Day. Despite the closure, U.S. futures contracts were trading higher, indicating positive sentiment in the financial markets.

Key Details:

• Market Activity: Even with the official closure, futures markets showed an upward trend, reflecting investor optimism.

Quotes:

• Jeanine Herbst, NPR: “[04:46]** “Wall street was closed today in observance of Memorial Day. News futures contracts are trading higher.”

This closure allowed the nation to honor and remember those who have fallen while maintaining a focus on economic resilience.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of events shaping our world, ensuring listeners are well-informed on critical issues both domestically and internationally.

Transcript

[Amazon Business]

This message comes from Amazon Business. Free your team from time consuming office tasks with smart business Buying tools enable buyers to find and purchase items fast. Learn more about the technology, insights and Support [e-mail] Live from NPR News in.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst.

[NPR News Reporter]

Around 50 people were injured when a.

[Jeanine Herbst]

British man's minivan plowed into a crowd.

[NPR News Reporter]

Of people celebrating Liverpool's soccer club win today. Police say 27 were taken to the hospital and more more than 20 others.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Were treated on the spot. Four children are among the injured.

[NPR News Reporter]

Jenny Sims, assistant chief constable, says one.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Person is in custody.

[Police Spokesperson]

The car stopped at the scene and a 53 year old white British man from the Liverpool area was arrested. We believe him to be the driver of the vehicle. Extensive inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision.

[NPR News Reporter]

There's no word on a motive, but police say they don't believe this is terrorism. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer thanked police for their quick response and said that his thoughts are with those injured or affected. Tens of thousands of Liverpool fans had.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Come out amid wet weather to celebrate the team.

[NPR News Reporter]

Los Angeles has the highest number of.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Homeless vets in the country.

[NPR News Reporter]

It's also got a massive, nearly 400 acre Veterans Affair campus in the middle of West LA.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Advocates have fought in the courts and.

[NPR News Reporter]

In the streets for decades to use.

[Jeanine Herbst]

That campus for housing for needy veterans.

[NPR News Reporter]

President Trump signed an executive order that could change everything, as NPR's Quill Lawrence reports.

[Quill Lawrence]

A lawsuit back in 2011 forced the VA to start building housing on the campus, but it's been slow. On May 9, President Trump released an executive order that the West LA VA campus will be transformed to house and care for 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028. Iraq vet Rob Reynolds works with homeless vets in and outside the gates.

[Rob Reynolds]

I'm very thankful that President Trump took this, that with this executive order that this is a soldier's home and it was donated for that reason and that we need to get our veterans off the street.

[Quill Lawrence]

In the past, VA officials opposed putting so many troubled veterans in one place, but advocates in LA are taking Trump's executive order as a win. Quill Lawrence, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[NPR News Reporter]

King Charles and Queen Camilla are in Canada for a two day royal visit. Emma Jacobs reports.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The visit is seen as a show of support for Canada's sovereignty.

[Emma Jacobs]

King Charles is Canada's ceremonial head of state and this is his first visit to Canada since his coronation in 2023. The King and Queen Camilla arrived in the capital city of Ottawa and were greeted on the tarmac by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who extended the invitation for this visit. The royal couple participated in a series of public events around Ottawa. On Tuesday, the king will preside over the opening of Canada's latest session of Parliament, a symbolic gesture that is seen as lending support to and its current political order, amid talk of possible annexation by President Trump. For NPR News, I'm Emma Jacobs in Montreal.

[NPR News Reporter]

U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[NPR News Reporter]

In France, angry farmers have joined disgruntled striking taxi drivers united over two separate issues. The farmers are protesting an agricultural bill that deals with regulations around water and pesticide use. And taxi drivers are changes to the.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Fare structure for medical transport.

[NPR News Reporter]

A taxi strike last week blocked hundreds.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Of miles of roads around Paris.

[NPR News Reporter]

Hells Canyon, which is on the border between Oregon and Idaho, is the deepest.

[Jeanine Herbst]

River canyon in the United states.

[NPR News Reporter]

And as NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Scientists say they now know how old this canyon is.

[Matthew Morris]

At its deepest point, Hell's Canyon goes down almost eight feet. Matthew Morris is with the Utah Geological Survey. He wanted to know the age of this canyon, and to find out, he needed to analyze sand and gravel deposited by the river long ago as it was cutting through the rock.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

You're looking for pieces of evidence of where the river used to be.

[Matthew Morris]

He and some colleagues went searching inside caves, lots of caves in the canyon walls, and in a few of them, the they found ancient river sediments. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they say it looks like this Canyon got carved 2.1 million years ago. That makes Hells Canyon surprisingly young, millions of years younger than Arizona's Grand Canyon. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[NPR News Reporter]

Wall street was closed today in observance of Memorial Day. News futures contracts are trading higher.

[Jeanine Herbst]

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

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