NPR News: 04-07-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 7, 2025, 5 PM EDT

U.S. and Israel Push for Direct Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

At 00:26, Jack Spear reports from Washington, highlighting President Donald Trump's announcement of direct nuclear talks with Iran scheduled for the following weekend. Speaking from the Oval Office during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump emphasized a shift towards diplomacy.

"We're dealing with them directly and maybe a deal is going to be made. That would be great. It would be really great for Iran, I can tell you that," Trump stated at 00:58. However, he remained vague about the specifics, noting that the meeting would be held at an "almost the highest level." This marks a significant change from Trump's previous administration stance, which saw the U.S. withdraw from the nuclear deal with Iran. Michelle Kellerman from NPR News adds that Netanyahu shared Trump's commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, reinforcing the united front between the two leaders.

Symbolic Trade Discussions Between the U.S. and Israel

Continuing at 01:24, Jack Spear discusses Netanyahu's visit to Washington, the first by a foreign leader since Trump's imposition of tariffs. Netanyahu declared Israel's intent to eliminate the trade deficit with the United States swiftly, "We intend to do it very quickly. We think it's the right thing to do," he announced at 01:36. However, Spear notes that given the relatively small U.S.-Israel trade volume compared to the substantial military aid provided by the U.S., the announcement holds more symbolic weight than immediate economic impact.

Trump's Stance on Tariffs and Trade with China

At 02:03, Trump addressed the ongoing trade tensions with China, asserting that "They can both be true. There can be permanent tariffs and there can also be negotiations because there are things that we need beyond tariffs. We need open borders." This statement underscores Trump's dual approach of maintaining certain tariffs while remaining open to broader trade negotiations to address more complex issues beyond mere tariff rates.

Supreme Court Delays Deportation Order Amidst Retaliatory Tariffs

In response to China's retaliatory tariffs, the Supreme Court has intervened by staying a U.S. district court judge's order to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man inadvertently deported to El Salvador. Chief Justice John Roberts announced that the stay is effective until the Supreme Court can review the case, ensuring Garcia remains in U.S. custody during this period. This development signifies the judiciary's role in balancing executive actions and individual rights amidst escalating trade tensions.

Kentucky Faces Deadly Flooding and Hypothermia Threats

Karen Zarr from WKY reports at 02:45 on severe flooding in Kentucky, where the river in Frankfort reached levels just shy of the 1978 record. Governor Andy Beshear warned of additional dangers, specifically hypothermia, as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing during the night (03:02). Emergency management efforts have successfully rescued over 425 people and animals since Friday, demonstrating the state's proactive response to the natural disaster.

Tribute to Mia Love, the First Black Republican Woman in Congress

Jack Spear covers the heartfelt tribute to former Representative Mia Love in Salt Lake City at 03:21. Love, who passed away after battling brain cancer, was celebrated as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress. Her legacy is remembered by hundreds who attended the service, reflecting on her trailblazing career and contributions to politics.

Exercise Proven to Extend Survival for Colon Cancer Survivors

In health news, Maria Godoy reports at 03:57 on new research indicating that regular physical activity can significantly improve survival rates for colon cancer survivors. Dr. Jeff Meyerhart of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute explains that patients who engaged in activities equivalent to a brisk hour-long walk most days saw better overall survival, even comparable to the general population (04:19). This finding offers hope and actionable advice for those battling colon cancer, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle during and after treatment.

Landmark NCAA Settlement Hearing Commences

At 04:41, Jack Spear discusses a federal judge's decision to open a hearing on a monumental $2.8 billion settlement involving the NCAA and five major conferences. This settlement addresses claims from athletes who allege they were prevented from monetizing their celebrity status. Judge comments suggest the settlement's implications will be far-reaching for college athletics, although formal approval of the settlement will not be granted at this hearing. This case represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over athletes' rights and compensation in collegiate sports.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of significant national and international developments, from high-stakes diplomatic negotiations and trade disputes to impactful health research and landmark legal settlements. With direct quotes from key figures and detailed reporting, listeners are given valuable insights into the pressing issues shaping today's world.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump says his admin administration will begin direct nuclear talks with Iran next weekend. He made the announcement in the Oval Office as he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. More from NPR's Michelle Kellerman.

[Michelle Kellerman]

Prime Minister Netanyahu says he and President Trump are united in the goal that Iran will never get nuclear weapons. President Trump says he would prefer a diplomatic deal and says his administration is having, in his words, a very big meeting on Saturday.

[Donald Trump]

We're dealing with them directly and maybe a deal is going to be made. That would be great. It would be really great for Iran, I can tell you that.

[Michelle Kellerman]

He would not say where or with whom, though. Trump says the meeting will be at, quote, almost the highest level. The last time he was president, he pulled the US out of a nuclear deal with Iran. This time, he says he wants to negotiate something different. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Jack Spear]

Netanyahu's trip to Washington is the first visit by a foreign leader to the US since the imposition of President Donald Trump's tariffs. Netanyahu announcing even before discussions began, Israel will do away with levies against the.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

US we will eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. We intend to do it very quickly. We think it's the right thing to do. And we're going to also eliminate trade barriers.

[Jack Spear]

Given the small amount of trade the US does with Israel and the billions in military aid the US Provides, the announcement is largely symbolic. As to whether his global tariffs are permanent or subject to negotiation. Trump said two things can happen simultaneously.

[Donald Trump]

They can both be true. There can be permanent tariffs and there can also be negotiations because there are things that we need beyond tariffs. We need open borders.

[Jack Spear]

Trump also threatened even higher tariffs against China. Today in response to China's retaliatory tariffs, Supreme Court has agreed to stay a U.S. district Court judge's order requiring the Trump administration to return a Maryland man who the government has acknowledged was accidentally deported to a prison in El Salvador. Chief Justice John Roberts saying the order returned Kilmar Abrego Garcia is stayed till the Supreme Court weighs in. Deadly flooding in Kentucky has led to evacuations and road closures Karen Zarr with member station WKY has more.

[Karen Zarr]

The Kentucky river crested in Frankfort Sunday night, less than half an inch shy of the record set in 1978. But the water is still rising in rivers in other parts of the state. Governor Andy Beshear says there is another threat, hypothermia.

[Andy Beshear]

This is going to be a dangerous night where temperatures fall, where it gets potentially below freezing.

[Karen Zarr]

Kentucky's emergency management director says since Friday, more than 425 people and animals have been saved with the help of Swiftwater rescue crews. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Jack Spear]

This is npr. Friends and family of former Representative Mia Love gathered in Salt Lake City today to pay tribute to the first black Republican woman elected to Congress. The former Utah lawmaker had undergone treatment for an agreement form of brain cancer and died at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, weeks after her daughter said she was no longer responding to treatment. Hundreds of mourners attended today's service. Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, but NPR's Maria Godoy reports new research finds regular exercise can help survivors live longer.

[Maria Godoy]

While colon cancer death rates overall have been falling, survivors still tend to have a shorter life expectancy than the general population. Researchers surveyed nearly 3,000 colon cancer patients about their exercise habits during and after treatment. Dr. Jeff Meyerhart of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute says for patients who were three years cancer free, exercise made a big difference.

[Andy Beshear]

Those patients not only had a better overall survival if they were more physically active, they actually looked like they had a slightly better overall survival compared to the general population.

[Maria Godoy]

Even patients whose cancer recurred had improvements in survival if they were doing the equivalent of a brisk walk for about an hour a day on most days. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Federal judge opened a hearing today on a landmark $2.8 billion settlement by saying it will impact every part of college athletics, though the judge also indicated she would not be granting formal approval today. Settlement costs were paying billions in damages to athletes who say the NCAA and five big conferences prevented them from earning money off their celebrity status. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News.

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