NPR News Now – April 12, 2025

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of pressing issues both domestically and internationally. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key stories discussed.

1. Immigration and Deportation Case in Louisiana

Host: Dale Willman

An immigration judge in Louisiana has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, can be deported. Khalil was detained following his participation in pro-Palestinian protests on campus last month.

• Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Rubio labeled Khalil’s activism as "anti-Semitic" and emphasized that allowing him to remain in the U.S. would "undermine an American foreign policy goal of combating antisemitism" (00:16).

Lawyer's Response:

• Mark van der Hoot, Khalil’s lawyer: In court, Van der Hoot argued that the accusation of anti-Semitism is "baseless" and criticized the lack of substantial evidence connecting Khalil’s protests to anti-Semitic sentiments. He highlighted that Khalil supports the inclusion of Jews in the Palestinian rights movement and requested permission to question Rubio in court, which was denied by Judge Jamie Comins (00:43; [Mark van der Hoot, 00:43).

2. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans in the U.S.

Host: Dale Willman

The Trump administration has announced it will not renew Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Afghans residing in the United States, paving the way for their deportation starting in late May.

Details by Juliana Kim:

• Definition and Background: TPS protects individuals from deportation if their home countries face war or natural disasters. Afghanistan was granted TPS by the Biden administration in 2022 due to the Taliban's resurgence.

• Administration's Decision: A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem reviewed Afghanistan’s conditions and determined they no longer qualify for TPS (01:11; [Juliana Kim, 01:22).

• Opposition: Advocates argue that conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated since the U.S. troop withdrawal, contradicting the administration’s rationale (01:22).

3. Financial Support to Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

Host: Dale Willman

A pivotal alliance of allies, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein Group), pledged €23 billion in support to Kyiv on Friday.

Report by Eleanor Beardsley:

• Group Composition: Comprising 57 countries, the group has been instrumental in providing military aid to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.

• Leadership Shift: For the first time, the meeting was chaired by Germany and the UK, signaling a diversification in NATO leadership. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended virtually, indicating a potential shift in the U.S.’s role within the alliance (02:06; [Eleanor Beardsley, 02:14).

• Context: This development occurs alongside indications from the Trump administration of a diminishing U.S. role in NATO, with Western allies preparing for possible troop withdrawals from Europe. Additionally, Ukraine's defense minister warned of increased Russian military production (02:14).

4. Decline in U.S. Consumer Sentiment and Legal Actions Against Trump Administration

Host: Dale Willman

April saw a significant drop in consumer sentiment, plunging 11% to 50.8—the lowest since the pandemic's peak.

Legal Developments:

• Sussman Godfrey Lawsuit: The law firm filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an order that bans the firm from government-funded work and strips its attorneys of security clearances. Sussman Godfrey contends that Trump's actions are retaliatory against organizations he opposes and represents a "grave threat to America" (03:01).

5. Severe Flooding and Emergency Responses in Kentucky

Host: Dale Willman

Kentucky continues to battle deadly flooding initiated a week ago, with cleanup and damage assessments in progress.

Report by Karen Zar:

• Current Status: While northern and central Kentucky have seen river peaks, western Kentucky anticipates cresting rivers over the weekend and next week, prompting the governor to redirect emergency rescue operations accordingly.

• Emergency Declarations: Over 70 of Kentucky's 120 counties have declared states of emergency, highlighting the widespread impact of the flooding (03:52; [Karen Zar, 03:52).

6. Rising Trade Tensions Between the U.S. and China

Host: Dale Willman

China has escalated its trade measures against U.S. goods by increasing tariffs from 84% to 125%, effective immediately. This follows President Trump's earlier tariff hikes to 145% on Chinese imports.

• China’s Response: Officials labeled the U.S. actions as "economic bullying," asserting that such measures will become "a joke in the history of the world economy" (04:13).

7. Construction Site Collapse in South Korea

Host: Dale Willman

A subway construction site near Seoul has collapsed, trapping at least one worker approximately 100 feet underground.

• Rescue Efforts: Authorities report that one person has been rescued and is conscious in a local hospital. Rescue teams are actively searching for another worker who remains missing (04:13).

Notable Quotes:

• Marco Rubio on Khalil’s Deportation: "Allowing him to remain in the US Would undermine an American foreign policy goal of combating antisemitism." (00:16)

• Mark van der Hoot on Anti-Semitism Claims: "The accusation that Khalil is anti-Semitic is baseless." (00:43)

• Department of Homeland Security on TPS: "Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan and determined that the country no longer met the requirements for TPS." (01:22)

• China’s Stance on U.S. Tariffs: "They’ll become a joke in the history of the world economy." (04:13)

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates critical developments ranging from immigration policies and international conflicts to economic sentiments and natural disasters, providing listeners with a thorough overview of the current state of affairs.