NPR News Now: April 14, 2025, 6 PM EDT
On April 14, 2025, NPR's "News Now" delivered a comprehensive update on national and international events, ranging from high-profile political departures to natural disasters and significant legal battles in the tech industry. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in this episode.
1. Departure of Pete Morocco from the State Department
Timestamp: [00:18]
NPR's Jack Spear reported the exit of Pete Morocco, the former overseer who played a pivotal role in dismantling the U.S. agency for Development. Joining the State Department with a mandate to conduct an exhaustive review of foreign assistance expenditures, Morocco's tenure was marked by significant controversy.
According to the State Department, Morocco "exposed egregious abuses," hinting at a troubled legacy. The department hinted at "big things" being ahead for Morocco but remained vague about his future roles.
Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized Morocco’s actions, stating, "His tenure brought reckless and unlawful policies to the State Department" and expressed a desire to discuss the future of U.S. foreign assistance directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
2. Arson Attempt at Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence
Timestamp: [01:16]
In a dramatic incident, Cody Ballmer, 38, attempted to set fire to Governor Josh Shapiro's residence in Pennsylvania. Rachel McDevitt of WITF detailed how Ballmer breached the perimeter early Sunday morning using a hammer to break through a window and ignited the dining room with beer bottles filled with gasoline.
Ballmer surrendered to authorities but is currently hospitalized due to a medical event unrelated to the incident or his arrest. Charges against him include attempted homicide, arson, and terrorism. Investigators revealed that Ballmer had expressed intentions to harm Governor Shapiro if confronted.
3. Associated Press Banned from White House Press Pool
Timestamp: [02:07]
Despite a federal judge's order, the Trump administration has barred the Associated Press (AP) from rejoining the White House press pool. This ban prevents AP reporter and photographer from covering an upcoming Oval Office news conference featuring President Donald Trump and El Salvador's president.
The AP's exclusion stems from its refusal to comply with Trump's directive to refer to the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America." This move has raised concerns about press freedom and access to the administration's communications.
4. FTC Antitrust Trial Against Meta
Timestamp: [02:38]
NPR's Bobby Allen reported on the ongoing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust trial targeting Meta Platforms Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp constituted violations of competition laws by unfairly eliminating rivals, thereby dominating the social media landscape.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg are set to testify, with Zuckerberg scheduled to take the stand for an anticipated seven hours. The FTC seeks to have Instagram and WhatsApp divested as separate entities, arguing that Meta's dominance is a result of predatory business practices.
Meta counters by asserting that the acquisitions were approved over a decade ago and that the FTC is penalizing the company for its success. Notably, Zuckerberg had previously lobbied the Trump administration to dismiss the case, which was initially filed during Trump's first term.
5. Passing of Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa
Timestamp: [03:17]
The literary world mourns the loss of Mario Vargas Llosa, a Nobel Prize-winning novelist renowned for his contributions to Latin American literature. At 89, Vargas Llosa left behind a legacy of impactful works that delved into political and social themes.
Mandalit del Barco highlighted Vargas Llosa's early passion for writing poetry, which led to his father sending him to military school, believing writing was an eccentric pursuit. His debut novel in 1963 critiqued the corruption in both the military school and Peruvian society—a theme that resonated throughout his extensive body of work.
Vargas Llosa ventured into politics, running for president of Peru in 1992, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010. In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the importance of dreaming, reading, and writing as means to alleviate human suffering.
6. Southern California Earthquake
Timestamp: [04:22]
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck southern California, specifically northeast of San Diego near the mountain town of Julian, known for its apple pie shops. The U.S. Geological Survey reported aftershocks continuing to reverberate through the region hours after the initial quake.
Though the tremors were felt as far as Los Angeles County, with observable effects like swaying lights and rattling cups, there were no reports of serious damage or injuries. However, the earthquake did cause boulders to scatter onto some roadways outside San Diego. Following the quake, crude oil futures saw a slight increase, with oil prices rising by three cents to $61.53 per barrel.
Conclusion
The April 14th episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a range of pressing issues, from political upheavals and legal battles to cultural losses and natural events. Each story was presented with clarity and depth, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the day's most significant developments.