NPR News Now: Comprehensive Summary of April 18, 2025, 1PM EDT Episode
Released April 18, 2025
U.S.-Led Negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Vice President J.D. Vance expressed optimism regarding the ongoing U.S.-led negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking from Rome during his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Vance stated, “[01:05] ‘So the negotiations, I won't prejudge them, but we do feel optimistic that we can hopefully bring this war, this very brutal war, to a close.’” Despite recent warnings from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about potential setbacks, Vance remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts can achieve peace.
The discussions also touched on trade issues, notably addressing President Trump’s recent 25% EU tariff, which has been paused for 90 days. Additionally, Vance, a Catholic convert, is scheduled to meet with Vatican officials this Saturday, although he confirmed there will be no meeting with the Pope.
U.S. Rare Earth Minerals Agreement with Ukraine
President Trump announced plans to finalize a rare earth minerals agreement with Ukraine next week, aiming to bolster economic ties and support Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. However, conflicting messages from Trump and his advisers have raised questions about the U.S.'s role in the Ukraine war.
NPR Correspondent Greg Myre reported, “[01:46] 'The deal on valuable minerals was supposed to be signed when Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House in February, but that meeting descended into a shouting match in the agreement. The agreement was postponed. Trump now says it will be signed next week.'” Contrarily, Trump offered mixed reviews about President Zelensky, stating at [02:05] “‘I wouldn't say he's done the greatest job. Okay, I'm not a big fan. I really am. I'm not a big fan.’”
Meanwhile, Secretary Marco Rubio conveyed growing frustration with the peace negotiation efforts, declaring at [02:11] “‘If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on.’” This underscores a potential shift in U.S. strategy should diplomatic efforts fail to yield a resolution.
Tragic Mass Shooting at Florida State University
A solemn vigil was held on the Florida State University (FSU) campus in Tallahassee to honor the victims of yesterday’s mass shooting. NPR Correspondent Greg Allen provided detailed coverage of the incident:
“[02:44] ‘Police say Phoenix Eichner used his mother's handgun to shoot eight people, killing two. Leon County Sheriff said he'd been a member of the department's youth advisory board, had gone through extensive training with the department. The shootings occurred near Florida State University Student Union Building. Students locked themselves in basements and bathrooms while they heard gunshots being fired outside. Eichner didn't surrender when confronted by police and was shot and wounded before being arrested. Classes at FSU are canceled today, as are home athletic events through the weekend.’”
The suspect, a 20-year-old and son of a sheriff’s deputy, remains in custody, with authorities investigating the motives behind the tragic event.
Federal Takeover of New York's Penn Station Renovation
In economic news, the federal government has assumed control of the long-delayed renovation project of New York's Penn Station. NPR Correspondent Stephen Nessen detailed the developments:
“[03:47] ‘Penn Station is owned by Amtrak, but the agency has been working with the MTA on plans to redevelop the station. The MTA leases part of it for its Long Island Railroad commuter trains and has already renovated part of the train hall it uses. The MTA has been planning a $7 billion rehab of the rest of the space, which is dark, dingy and has very low ceilings, and is used by Amtrak in New Jersey transit, but no one has agreed to a plan. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy slammed the MTA, saying the agency is inefficient and wastes money. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been in negotiations with President Trump over Penn Station and calls it a win for New Yorkers who won't have to spend any money on the project now.’”
The Federal Railroad Administration now oversees the project, aiming to expedite the much-needed renovations and improve the critical transportation hub.
Power Restoration Efforts in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has seen significant progress in restoring power after a massive outage hit the island on Wednesday. Jeanine Hurst reported, “[04:32] ‘Power has been restored to almost all power customers on the island. This comes after a total outage hit the US Territory Wednesday, causing chaos with traffic, airlines, businesses, and hotels. Luma Energy says a transmission line failed, causing generators across the island to proactively shut down, though authorities are still investigating, a process that will probably take weeks to finish. It also knocked out water to around 400,000 customers. It's the second major blackout on the island in nearly four months.’”
The outage disrupted daily life significantly, impacting transportation, commerce, and essential services. Efforts to fully restore functionality are ongoing, with authorities working diligently to prevent future incidents.
Market and Economic Updates
Wall Street remained closed on Good Friday, contributing to a shortened trading week. Despite the closure, stocks experienced a downturn over the week, with major indices like the Dow and Nasdaq each falling approximately 2.6%. This decline reflects ongoing economic challenges and investor concerns amidst geopolitical tensions and domestic issues.
This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a comprehensive overview of pressing international negotiations, domestic tragedies, infrastructure developments, and economic indicators, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the current events shaping the world.