NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-18-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: May 18, 2025

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You've probably seen clips from the Jennifer Hudson show Spirit Tunnel on TikTok or Instagram, the ones where celebrities dance down the hallway to a clever song. These videos can reveal a lot. Do they have rhythm? And how famous are they, really? We're breaking down the inescapable internet trend. Listen to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Duah Lisa Icautau. Emergency crews continue

to work to restore electricity to households that were hard hit by deadly tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky on Friday night. The small town of London, Kentucky suffered the most deaths, 18 so far. Reporter Karen Czar with member station WKY has been in London since yesterday morning. You can hear chainsaws and heavy equipment everywhere, but the amount of debris here is so massive. It could take weeks to clean up and then the recovery process could take years. We are still rebuilding from deadly tornadoes that hit Western Kentucky that was in 2021 and deadly flooding in Eastern Kentucky that was

in 2022. Karen Czar with member station WUKY. Officials in Palm Springs, California say they believe an explosion near a fertility clinic was a deliberate act. More from Steve Futterman. As law enforcement officials gather, evidence they've come to one key conclusion. This explosion was no accident. Akil Davis is in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office. Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism. The explosion occurred just before noon near the clinic, which su damage. A nearby car was

buildings nearby also suf Police Chief Andy Mills. of debris and it will tak we understand very thourl believe this was an isol NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles. New ceasefire talks are now underway between Israel and Hamas. Israel says it is preparing to resume food supplies to

Gaza amid a dire shortage. As NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv, the new negotiations come as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. is involved in the talks, seeking a ceasefire and the release of more Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli military strikes in Gaza have intensified, with more than 500 dead in the past five days, according to Gaza health officials. They say one strike on a home killed 20 people, including five women and five children.

At a Gaza City morgue, a relative of the family cries out. Israel estimates civilians in Gaza only have about a week's supply of food left and is planning to end its 11-week aid blockade this week, says a person briefed on the matter who did not have authorization to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv, with NPR's Anas Baba in Gaza City. New York City's annual Israel Day on Fifth Avenue is taking place today. You're listening to NPR News from New York.

The horse, Journalism, has won the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. Wamboy Kamau from WYPR reports. Nine horses burst from the gate at Pimlico Racecourse. After a bump in battle in the final stretch, journalism surged ahead, galloping to victory. Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli is a first-time Preakness winner. I can tell you I couldn't sleep for four nights after the Kentucky Derby,

but I know if I could ride a perfect race, but this takes some of the pain off, and I'm glad that I have this opportunity. I have to wait 20 years, but it was worth it to wait. The first place comes with a $1.2 million payout of the race's $2 million purse. The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is in three weeks. For NPR News, I'm one boy Kamau in Baltimore. Transit officials and locomotive engineers in New Jersey are back at the bargaining table

as their strike continues for a second day. Transit CEO Chris Colery says they are close to an agreement on many points but he said the issue of wages is complex. We understand their side. I now need them to understand our position that we will not break the bank in getting this deal done. They have buses in place to help, he adds. Should this go on till Monday and if you can continue to work from home, it would be a hugely helpful moment for us to manage the border.

Other transit agencies are also adding service to help mitigate the impact of the strike. I'm Dwahili Saikowtel, NPR News in New York. World news is important, butPR News in New York.