NPR News: 04-13-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 13, 2025, 9 PM EDT – Detailed Summary

NPR's latest news episode, hosted by Jeanine Herbst, delivers a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events unfolding on April 13, 2025. The episode covers a range of topics from immigration policies and international conflicts to high-profile legal cases and major achievements in sports and entertainment.

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U.S. Immigration and Deportations

Deportations to El Salvador

The episode opens with a report on the Trump administration's recent deportation of ten individuals identified as gang members to El Salvador. This action occurs just days ahead of Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele's visit to the White House.

• Marco Rubio’s Statement (00:39): Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced, “10 members of the Ms. 13 and Trenda Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador Saturday night,” highlighting the collaboration between the Trump administration and President Bukele. Rubio commended the alliance but withheld details about the individuals' specific crimes.

Legal Challenges and Mistaken Deportations

The discussion moves to the administration's stance on legal requirements for deportations, particularly highlighting the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported.

• Justice Department Filing (01:17): The Trump administration asserted in a legal filing that “courts lack the ability to dictate steps needed to bring Garcia back to the U.S.,” emphasizing their position against federal judges' orders to facilitate his return.

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International Conflict: Ukraine and Russia

Russian Missile Attack on Sumy

A tragic escalation in the Ukraine conflict is reported, with Russian missiles striking the city of Sumy during Palm Sunday celebrations.

• Casualties and Impact (01:17): The attack resulted in at least 34 deaths and over 100 injuries, marking it as the second-largest civilian casualty event in just over a week.

• President Zelensky’s Response (01:17): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, “Russia has to be held accountable,” underscoring the international community's condemnation of the strike.

• Global Reaction (01:17): World leaders, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, condemned the attack, signaling a united stance against further Russian aggression.

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U.S.-China Trade Relations

Exemption of Chinese Electronics from New Tariffs

In a significant shift in trade policy, the U.S. has exempted most Chinese electronics and semiconductor components from new tariffs.

• Emily Fang’s Report (02:25): “China’s Commerce ministry said the U.S. tariff exemption was a small step towards correcting the mistaken approach the US had taken on trade,” Fang explains. This move follows the Trump administration's imposition of 145% import taxes on Chinese goods, which had previously ignited a fierce trade war between the two economic giants.

• China’s Retaliatory Measures (02:25): In response, China imposed its own tariffs of 125% on American goods but refrained from further escalation, labeling Trump’s trade policies a “joke.”

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Legal Spotlight: Sarah Palin vs. The New York Times

Defamation Suit Jury Selection

The episode highlights the upcoming jury selection for Sarah Palin's defamation lawsuit against The New York Times.

• Jeanine Herbst’s Report (03:04): “Jury selection is set to begin tomorrow in New York,” Herbst reports, noting that Palin filed the suit following the publication of an editorial critical of her. This high-profile case is poised to attract significant media attention.

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Sports Achievement: Rory McIlroy Wins The Masters

Historic Victory at Augusta

In an exhilarating conclusion to the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland clinched the coveted green jacket.

• Steve Futterman’s Coverage (03:32): Futterman narrates, “Rory McIlroy, trying to become only the sixth golfer ever to win golf's Grand Slam, seemed on the verge of victory on several occasions.” Despite facing challenges, including double bogeys on the first and 13th holes, McIlroy secured his win in a sudden-death playoff against England’s Justin Rose.

• Moment of Triumph (03:32): McIlroy’s successful putt and subsequent celebration exemplified his resilience and skill, culminating in a historic triumph for NPR listeners.

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Entertainment: Box Office Highlights

Minecraft Movie Tops the Weekend Box Office

The weekend box office saw significant activity with the Minecraft movie leading the charts.

• Blockbuster Success (04:19): After just two weeks in theaters, the video game adaptation grossed an estimated $80 million, making it the top-grossing Hollywood release of the year to date.

"King of Kings" Follows Suit

• Second Place Achievement (04:19): “King of Kings,” an animated film depicting the life of Jesus, secured the second spot with $19 million in ticket sales. The movie, inspired by a children’s book by Charles Dickens and featuring a star-studded voice cast including Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh, and Uma Thurman, has resonated with audiences.

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Financial Markets Update

US Futures Trading Higher

In the financial sector, US futures contracts are trading higher at the time of the report, indicating a positive outlook in the markets.

• Jeanine Herbst’s Brief (04:19): “US Futures contracts are trading higher at this hour,” Herbst notes, providing a snapshot of current market trends.

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Sponsor Messages

The episode includes sponsored messages from Charles Schwab and Warby Parker, promoting their respective services in investing and eyewear retailing.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the pivotal events and discussions from NPR's April 13, 2025, news episode, providing listeners with an insightful overview of the day's most pressing issues and notable achievements.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Charles Schwab with its original podcast on Investing. Each week you'll get thoughtful, in depth analysis of both the stock and the bond markets. Listen today and [e-mail] on investing or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Trump administration deported 10 more people who they say are gang members to El Salvador this weekend. The deportations come just days before the Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele is set to visit the White House. NPR's Luke Garrett has more.

[Marco Rubio]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says 10 members of the Ms. 13 and Trenda Aragua gangs arrived in El Salvador Saturday night. Rubio then praised the alliance between Trump and Bukele. The secretary of state gave no other details about who these individuals are or what crimes they committed. In March, the Trump administration sent hundreds of migrants to a prison in El Salvador. Among them was Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court order that the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. Meanwhile, the Salvadorian president landed in Maryland this weekend and is set to meet Trump on Monday. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is insisting that a federal judge can't force it to bring back that Maryland man illegally deported from the US to the prison in El Salvador. In a brief legal filing by the Justice Department tonight, the administration argues that courts lack the ability to dictate steps needed to bring Garcia back to the U.S. russian missiles struck the heart of the Ukrainian city of Sumy today as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday. At least 34 people were killed. More than 100 were wounded. It's the second largest scale attack to claim civilian lives in just over a week. Russia has escalated attacks since Ukraine agreed to a 30 day ceasefire brokered by the US a month ago. President Zelensky says Russia has to be held accountable. World leader slammed the strike, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. China says it welcomed the US Exempting most Chinese electronics and semiconductor components from new tariffs. NPR's Emily Fang reports. The change came after the U.S. levied 145% import taxes on Chinese goods, which has sparked a ferocious trade war between the world's two largest economies.

[Emily Fang]

China's Commerce ministry said the U.S. tariff exemption was a small step towards correcting the mistaken approach the US had taken on trade. The exemption announced by the Trump administration late Friday, excludes electronic goods like smartphones, computers and semiconductor chipsitems which China either makes or assembles and which the US Cannot readily make itself. China has slapped its own retaliatory tariffs of 125% on American goods, but has declined to escalate those levies further, calling Trump's trade policies a, quote, joke. Emily Feng, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Jury selection is set to begin tomorrow in New York. In Sarah Palin's defamation suit against the New York Times, the former Republican vice presidential candidate had sued the paper after it published an editorial against her. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. At the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has won the green jacket with a historic victory at the sport's most iconic event. Steve Futterman has more.

[Steve Futterman]

This will go down as one of the most dramatic Masters tournaments ever. Rory McIlroy, trying to become only the sixth golfer ever to win golf's Grand Slam, seemed on the verge of victory on several occasions. But every time disaster seemed to strike. He had a double bogey on the first hole, had another double bogey on the 13th hole. Then with a chance to wrap it up on the 18th hole, he missed an easy putt that set up a sudden death playoff with England's Justin Rose on the first hole. Justin Rose missed his birdie attempt. Rory McIlroy made his and a giant celebration erupted. The fans started chanting, rory, Rory. He, overcome with emotion, put his hands to his face and then a huge smile. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman at the Masters in Augusta.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At the weekend box office after just two weeks in theaters, a Minecraft movie is already the top grossing Hollyw Hollywood release of this year so far. The video game adaptation also took the top spot again with an estimated $80 million in ticket sales. In second place, the King of Kings, an animated tale of Jesus Life with $19 million. The film is loosely based on a children's book by Charles Dickens with a voice cast including Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh and Uma Thurman. US Futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. I'm Janine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Warby Parker]

This message comes from Warby Parker. If you wear glasses, you know how hard it is to find the perfect pair. But step into a Warby Parker store and you'll see it doesn't have to be. Find a Warby Parker store near you at warbyparker.com retail.