NPR News Now: April 17, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of "NPR News Now" delivers the latest news updates across various topics, including economic policies, immigration reforms, international diplomacy, legal proceedings, and scientific discoveries.

President Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Over Interest Rates

At 00:16, Jeanine Herbst introduces a significant development in U.S. economic policy as President Trump publicly criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates. NPR's Scott Horsley provides deeper insights:

"President Trump would like the Federal Reserve to take similar action [to the European Central Bank's recent rate cuts]. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell warned... that Trump's new tariffs are highly likely to generate at least a temporary rise in inflation. That's discouraging the Fed from cutting interest rates any further."
[00:30]

This marks the latest in a series of confrontations between Trump and Powell, with the President asserting that Powell's actions are detrimental to economic growth. Despite Trump's repeated demands for lower borrowing costs, Powell remains steadfast, stating his intention to serve the remainder of his term, which concludes next spring.

Trump Administration Seeks to Expedite Asylum Cases in Immigration Courts

At 01:10, Jeanine Herbst reports on a controversial move by the Trump administration aimed at addressing the burgeoning backlog in immigration courts. According to NPR's Ximena Bustillo:

"The memo means that a judge could turn away an asylum application without holding a hearing."
[01:24]

A newly issued memo directs employees of the Executive Office for Immigration Review to drop "legally deficient asylum cases," effectively allowing judges to dismiss applications without the traditional hearing process. This strategy targets the reduction of a staggering 4 million-case backlog, with 1.5 million of these cases being asylum requests.

However, immigration lawyers express concerns that this approach may disproportionately harm asylum seekers lacking legal representation. They argue that hearings provide a crucial opportunity for applicants to present their cases comprehensively, beyond what can be conveyed in written forms.

Diplomatic Efforts Intensify for a Ceasefire in Ukraine

At 02:06, Jeanine Herbst covers the ongoing diplomatic negotiations in Paris, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff engage with French President Emmanuel Macron and European diplomats to broker a peace deal or ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley elaborates:

"Steve Witkoff has met with Putin three times recently as the US pursues deals with the Kremlin. The Europeans remain skeptical, pointing out that Putin has not budged on his maximalist demands and continues to bomb Ukrainian cities nightly."
[02:25]

Despite these high-level discussions, significant gaps remain between European and American objectives. European leaders are particularly wary, noting that Putin has not softened his stance and that the conflict continues to result in nightly bombardments of Ukrainian cities. This skepticism is compounded by the U.S.'s recent divergence from its G7 allies—notably, the U.S. did not condemn a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy on Palm Sunday, which resulted in over 30 fatalities.

Legal Proceedings and Scientific Breakthroughs Highlighted

At 03:07, Jeanine Herbst transitions to diverse news topics:

1. Wall Street's Mixed Trading: Current market activities show a lack of clear direction, with trading volumes reflecting uncertainty among investors.

2. Menendez Brothers' Pivotal Hearing:

   • Jeanine Herbst reports that Eric and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted over 35 years ago for the murder of their parents, are scheduled for a critical courtroom hearing. Their attorneys aim to have their convictions reduced to manslaughter, citing long-term sexual abuse by their father as a mitigating factor.
   • The hearing, expected to span two days, faces potential delays after the LA County District Attorney filed a motion to postpone further proceedings.

3. Possible Signs of Extraterrestrial Life:

   • NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce shares groundbreaking scientific news:

     "Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to study the tiny fraction of starlight that filtered through its atmosphere. Their analysis detected an abundance of sulfur-based gases that on Earth are made only by life, such as marine microbes."
     [04:01]

   • Astronomer Niku Madhusadan from the University of Cambridge expresses his astonishment:

     "To be very frank, it was astounding. I had never imagined that this is what we would see."
     [04:26]

   • While the findings suggest that the distant planet could be an ocean world teeming with alien life, scientists urge caution. The detected gases require further confirmation to rule out non-biological sources of their presence.

Closing Remarks

At 04:49, Jeanine Herbst wraps up the episode, summarizing the day's diverse and impactful news stories presented by NPR.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the April 17, 2025, episode of "NPR News Now," providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the latest developments across multiple domains.