NPR News: 04-12-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 12, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: April 12, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. U.S. Ends Temporary Protection for Afghans

Host Introduction:
Dale Willman opens the episode by highlighting a significant policy shift affecting Afghan immigrants in the United States.

Key Details:
The Trump administration has decided not to renew Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans residing in the U.S., paving the way for their deportation starting in late May. Juliana Kim reports on the implications of this decision.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS):
TPS is a humanitarian program that protects individuals from deportation when their home countries are experiencing extraordinary conditions such as war or natural disasters. Afghanistan was granted TPS by the Biden administration in 2022 amid the country's turmoil under Taliban rule.

Department of Homeland Security Statement:
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security announced that Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem reviewed the current conditions in Afghanistan and concluded that the country no longer satisfies the requirements for TPS.

Advocates' Response:
Organizations supporting Afghans in the U.S. have rejected the administration's decision, asserting that the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the U.S. military withdrawal, contrary to the claims made by the Trump administration.

“Conditions in Afghanistan have worsened ever since the withdrawal of U.S. troops,” advocates stated, challenging the DHS’s assessment.
(Juliana Kim, [00:31])

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2. European Allies Pledge €23 Billion to Ukraine

Host Introduction:
Dale Willman transitions to international affairs, focusing on U.S. and European support for Ukraine.

Key Details:
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, comprises 57 countries committed to providing military assistance to Ukraine. Eleanor Beardsley reports that on Friday, the group pledged 23 billion euros in aid.

Leadership and Dynamics:
This meeting marked a departure from previous sessions, which were predominantly led by the United States. This time, leadership shifted to Germany and the UK, signaling a potential shift in U.S. involvement within NATO.

Strategic Implications:
The move comes amid indications from the Trump administration suggesting a diminishing U.S. role in NATO, leading Western allies to prepare for the possible withdrawal of thousands of troops from Europe.

Ukraine's Defense Concerns:
Ukraine’s defense minister issued a warning that Russia is accelerating its military production, heightening tensions in the region.

“For the first time, the meeting was chaired by Germany and the UK,” Eleanor Beardsley notes, highlighting the evolving leadership dynamics within the alliance.
(Eleanor Beardsley, [01:24])

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3. Kentucky Battles Severe Flooding

Host Introduction:
Dale Willman shifts focus to domestic news, reporting on severe flooding in Kentucky.

Key Details:
A week-long flooding event has severely impacted parts of Kentucky, with rivers expected to crest further this weekend and early next week. Karen Zar provides an update from Frankfort.

Impact on Infrastructure:
Early in the week, significant flooding submerged several roads and buildings in Frankfort, leaving them caked in mud. Firefighters and road crews are actively working to clear debris and restore access.

Cleanup Efforts:
Brad Parker from the City Streets Department describes the arduous cleanup process:

“We're scooping water out of the boat ramp and using it out of the bucket to dump and kind of get waves to clear it out.”
(Brad Parker, [02:50])

Government Response:
Governor Andy Beshear has redeployed emergency rescue teams to the western region of Kentucky in anticipation of worsening conditions.

“Officials expect rivers to crest this weekend and early next week,” Karen Zar reports, emphasizing the ongoing threat.
(Karen Zar, [02:56])

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4. UN Humanitarian Agency Cuts and President Trump's Health Update

UN Humanitarian Agency Cuts:
The head of the United Nations humanitarian agency announced a 20% reduction in staff across more than 60 countries. This strategic downsizing is attributed to severe funding cuts, primarily stemming from reduced international spending by the U.S.

“The cuts will involve 20% of the agency's remote staff,” the UN official explained, highlighting the global impact.
(Dale Willman, [03:10])

President Donald Trump's Annual Physical:
In a separate report, Danielle Kurtzleben discusses the implications of former President Donald Trump's recently completed annual physical examination.

Limited Disclosure:
While the completion of the physical could provide insights into Trump's health, the White House is expected to release only select information. Historically, administrations have withheld certain health details, leading to speculation about the comprehensiveness of the report.

Trump’s Comments:
Addressing reporters on Air Force One, Trump confidently remarked:

“I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”
(Donald Trump, [04:00])

He also hinted at forthcoming details regarding his physical, asserting:

“It's not clear how thorough the information released by the White House will be,” commentators suggest a pattern of selective disclosure similar to past administrations.
(Danielle Kurtzleben, [04:08])

Trump is currently at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, awaiting the official release of his medical results in the coming days.

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5. Masters Golf Tournament Highlights

Host Introduction:
Dale Willman wraps up the news segment with updates from the world of sports, specifically the Masters Golf Tournament.

Key Highlights:

• Bernhard Langer announced that this year's tournament will be his last, following his narrow miss of the cut at Augusta. At 67 years old, Langer has an impressive record, having participated in 41 Masters tournaments.

• Justin Rose leads the tournament after shooting a 71 on Friday, maintaining his position heading into the weekend.

• Bryson DeChambeau is trailing just one stroke behind Rose, while Rory McIlroy remains in third place, two strokes back.

“Bernhard Langer says he's played in his last Masters golf tournament,” Dale Willman reports, underscoring the significance of a venerable athlete’s retirement.
(Dale Willman, [04:27])

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Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump:
  “I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”
  (04:00)

• Brad Parker:
  “We're scooping water out of the boat ramp and using it out of the bucket to dump and kind of get waves to clear it out.”
  (02:50)

• Eleanor Beardsley:
  “For the first time, the meeting was chaired by Germany and the UK.”
  (01:24)

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical developments ranging from U.S. immigration policies affecting Afghan refugees, substantial European support for Ukraine amidst shifting NATO dynamics, emergency response to severe flooding in Kentucky, significant staffing cuts within the UN humanitarian sector, updates on President Trump's health disclosures, and notable happenings in the Masters Golf Tournament. Through clear reporting and insightful quotes, the episode encapsulates the pressing issues of the day, offering listeners a concise yet thorough news briefing.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dale Willman. The Trump administration will not renew temporary protection for thousands of Afghans in the US the move sets them up for deportation starting in late May. NPR's Juliana Kim reports.

[Juliana Kim]

Temporary protected status shields people from deportation if their home country is experiencing conditions like war or natural disaster. The Biden administration designated Afghanistan for TPS in 2022 in response to the turmoil in the country under Taliban rule. But in a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said that Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan and determined that the country no longer met the requirements requirements for tps. Advocates who helped resettle Afghans in the US Firmly rejected the Trump administration's claims, arguing that conditions in Afghanistan have worsened ever since the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

A key group of allies that meets regularly to help Ukraine pledge 23 billion euros to Kyiv on Friday. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley has more.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, is an alliance of 57 countries providing military military equipment to Ukraine. Since the full scale invasion held in NATO headquarters, it was once exclusively led by the U.S. this time, U.S. defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended virtually, and for the first time, the meeting was chaired by Germany and the UK the move comes amid a series of other signals by the Trump administration that the U.S. role in NATO is diminishing. Western allies are bracing themselves for the possible withdrawal of thousands of troops from Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine's defense minister warned Friday that Russia is ramping up military production. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Dale Willman]

Some Kentuckians are now cleaning up from deadly flooding that began a week ago. Many others, though, are still waiting for the rivers to hit their peak. Karen Zar with member station WUKY has more on that story from Frankfort.

[Karen Zar]

Early in the week, several roads and buildings in Frankfurt were submerged in flood water. Now they are caked in mud. Firefighters have hooked up hoses so road crews can clear away the mess. Brad Parker with the City Streets Department says his team is working from sunup to sundown.

[Brad Parker]

We're scooping water out of the boat ramp and using it out of the bucket to dump and kind of get waves to clear it out.

[Karen Zar]

In the western part of Kentucky, officials expect rivers to crest this weekend and early next week. Governor Andy Beshear has shifted emergency rescue teams to that region. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Dale Willman]

On Wall street, all major indexes closed up on Friday. This is NPR News. The head of the UN humanitarian agency says it's cutting 20% of its staff operating in more than 60 countries because of what he calls brutal cuts to funding. The cuts will involve 20% of the agency's remote staff. The drop in cash comes primarily from the US which has cut back international spending. President Trump has completed his annual physical examination. The report could tell Americans what kind of health the 78 year old president is in. But as NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports, the White House will likely release just some of that information relating to the president's health.

[Donald Trump]

The White House has not yet released results of the president's physical. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said it went well and went on to brag about his brain health.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

I took a cognitive test and I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.

[Donald Trump]

It's not clear how thorough the information released by the White House will be. Some past presidential administrations reported medical information selectively, at times concealing health problems. Trump said to expect to report on his physical in the coming days. He is spending the night at his Mar a Lago Club in Florida. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Bernhard Langer says he's played in his last Masters golf tournament. He just missed the cut at Augusta on Friday. The 67 year old has played in 41 Masters tournaments and has said this year was going to be his last. Justin Rose, meanwhile, shot a 71 on Friday to hold onto the lead going into the weekend. Bryson DeChambeau is in second place, one stroke off the pace. Rory McIlroy sits in third, two strokes back. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News, in New York.

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