NPR News Now: April 18, 2025

Released April 18, 2025

Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Birthright Citizenship

NPR’s Nina Totenberg reports on a significant development in constitutional law.

President Donald Trump has long challenged the notion of birthright citizenship—the principle that any child born on U.S. soil is automatically a citizen. In a pivotal move, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will expedite arguments in May to examine this claim.

Nina Totenberg explains, “TRUMP has long asserted that babies born in the US are not automatically citizens of this country. But the Supreme Court 127 years ago ruled that under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, they are U.S. citizens” (00:35). This marks the first time in over a century that the court is revisiting this foundational interpretation. The Supreme Court’s decision to prioritize this case suggests a potential shift in the longstanding legal framework, with a decision anticipated by late June or early July.

Florida State University Shooting: Incident and Aftermath

A tragic event unfolded at Florida State University, leaving the community in shock.

Jack Speier reports that authorities have apprehended a suspect following a shooting at Florida State University (FSU), which resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The perpetrator, a 20-year-old FSU student and son of a deputy sheriff, accessed a weapon to carry out the attack.

FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbauer detailed the incident: “At approximately 11:50am Thursday, April 17, a gunman opened fire on the main campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, shooting multiple individuals in the vicinity of the student union building” (01:30). The swift response by FSU police led to the neutralization and arrest of the shooter, who remains hospitalized.

Students described the scene as chaotic, with one recounting how he and others hid in a bowling alley within the student union. The university has canceled classes through the following day as the community grapples with the aftermath.

Debate Over Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Return to the U.S.

Diplomatic tensions rise over the fate of an individual deported to El Salvador.

The episode highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration and labeled a gang member. U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has intervened, stating that he and Garcia have met, contrary to initial reports that Garcia was barred from a meeting in El Salvador.

Van Hollen affirmed, “US Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland now says the pair have met” (01:48). The Supreme Court has instructed the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States, challenging the narrative of his ties to gang activity.

President Trump's Criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell

Economic tensions escalate as President Trump targets Federal Reserve policies.

President Trump remains vocal in his dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, specifically criticizing the central bank for not aggressively lowering interest rates. The administration is contemplating the possibility of terminating Powell’s tenure, a move that has stirred significant debate.

Scott Horsley reports, “Whether the president can fire Powell remains an open question” (02:40). The White House appears ready to challenge established precedents, even as Powell asserts his independence, stating, “I have no intention of stepping down before his term expires next year” (03:00). The potential dismissal of Powell could unsettle financial markets further, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 527 points in response to these developments.

Technology Outages Impact Zoom and Spotify Users

Major tech platforms experience unexpected service disruptions.

NPR highlights recent outages affecting global video platform Zoom and music streaming service Spotify. Thousands of Spotify users reported issues ranging from app and desktop site loading problems to difficulties accessing support services. Although Spotify resolved the outages within a few hours, the incidents raised concerns about the reliability of these essential platforms.

Users expressed frustration over the disruptions, emphasizing the impact on both personal and professional activities reliant on these services.

Protests Against Cuts to U.S. Foreign Assistance for AIDS Relief

Activists stage demonstrations to oppose reductions in life-saving aid programs.

AIDS activists organized protests outside the U.S. State Department to draw attention to proposed cuts in foreign assistance, particularly targeting PEPFAR—the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. They fear that eliminating funding for PEPFAR could reignite an AIDS crisis in Africa and other regions.

Charles King, an activist from Housing Works, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining PEPFAR, stating, “It's really critical to impress on Secretary of State Rubio and on the public the cost of eliminating PEPFAR, which has saved so many lives and probably the greatest achievement of George W. Bush” (04:15). Despite assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that life-saving work will continue, activists reported closures of clinics and canceled contracts, underscoring the tangible risks posed by funding cuts.

Crude Oil Prices Rise Amid Trade Deal Hopes

Oil markets respond positively to optimistic trade negotiations between the U.S. and the European Union.

Crude oil futures saw an uptick, increasing by $2.21 per barrel to close at $64.68, buoyed by emerging optimism over a potential trade agreement between the United States and the European Union. This rise in oil prices reflects market hopes for stabilized trade relations, which could mitigate previous economic uncertainties impacting energy markets.

This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on April 18, 2025. For the most current and detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.