NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-25-2025 11PM EDT

Episode Date: May 26, 2025

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Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force, showing up in your everyday life, powering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave Podcast from NPR. Live from NPR 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 as he was returning to Washington

from New Jersey. 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. We want a list of those foreign students, and we'll find out whether or not they're OK.

Many will be OK, I assume. And I assume with Harvard, many will be bad. 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. Sunday marks five years since the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As Matt Sipick of Minnesota Public Radio reports, the community

is marking the anniversary with events honoring both Floyd and the racial justice movement. 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 Police Department by a

state judge. Last week, the Trump administration moved to scuttle plants for a federal court to provide additional oversight through a consent decree. For NPR News, I'm Matt Sepick in Minneapolis. 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 Maines reports. 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 Kiev 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 Manz MPR News, 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 Paloo 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. Paloo 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 Palau says he nearly ran out of fuel before crossing the finish line. 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. 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 laps before the race began. For NPR News, I'm Quen Klelinefelter in Detroit. 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.

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