NPR News: 04-20-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now - Episode: April 20, 2025, 4 PM EDT

Host: Nora Rahm
Release Date: April 20, 2025

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1. GOP Senator Criticizes Trump Administration's Deportation Policies

Timestamp: [00:14]

Nora Rahm opens the episode with coverage of Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana criticizing the Trump administration's recent deportation actions. Senator Kennedy specifically targets the case of Kilmore Abrego Garcia, asserting that Garcia "never should have been sent to El Salvador" ([00:34]).

Kennedy describes the deportation as a significant mistake, stating, "Look, this was a screw up. In my opinion, the administration won't admit it" ([00:39]). He emphasizes that Garcia should have been granted a hearing prior to his removal, highlighting the lack of due process in this instance.

When questioned about President Trump's potential defiance of federal court orders regarding deportations, Kennedy responds confidently, "I don't believe that President Trump will defy a federal judge's order. If he does, I'll call him out on it" ([00:55]). Additionally, Kennedy condemns Trump’s proposal to send Americans to El Salvador as "not appropriate or moral" ([01:02], [00:43]).

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2. Lawsuit Filed by International Students Against Visa Revocations

Timestamp: [01:10]

Nora Rahm reports on a significant legal challenge involving over 100 international students across the United States. These students have united in a lawsuit against the U.S. government, alleging that their visa statuses were altered without just cause. Emily Wu Pearson of WABE provides detailed insights into the case.

Immigration attorney Charles Cook explains that approximately one-third of the affected students had their visas revoked, while others were notified of failure to maintain their student status ([01:24]). The lawsuit claims that the administration improperly removed these students from the Department of Homeland Security's system, which manages international student information and statuses.

Cook further states, "All the plaintiffs were following the terms of their visas, had not been convicted of any deportable offenses, and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not provide explanations as to why the visas were revoked or changed" ([01:24]). This legal action underscores concerns over administrative overreach and the lack of transparency in visa status alterations.

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3. Pope Francis Addresses Crowds Amid Health Challenges

Timestamp: [01:58]

In a significant event, Pope Francis addressed thousands in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday despite his ongoing recovery from pneumonia. Megan Williams from the Vatican provides a vivid description of the gathering at [02:08], noting a "flower filled St. Peter's Square" where a "frail Pope Francis greeted thousands."

Due to his weakened state, Pope Francis did not lead the Mass or deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi address. Instead, his message focused on urgent global issues, including a Gaza ceasefire, alleviating starvation through food provision, the release of Israeli hostages, and the pursuit of peace in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Sudan, and the Congo ([02:19]).

Christopher White, a Vatican observer, remarks on Pope Francis's enduring commitment to his flock, stating, "Always tried to be close to the people and even as a very sick and recovering pope. He's doing that today after the service" ([02:41]). The Pope greeted the crowds from his popemobile, maintaining his connection with the faithful despite his health setbacks ([02:48]).

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4. Israel Releases Report on Fatal Attack Against Palestinian Medics

Timestamp: [02:54]

Nora Rahm covers a critical development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where Israel has published a report concerning the death of 15 Palestinian medics by its military last month. According to the report, a deputy battalion commander mistakenly identified a convoy of ambulances as belonging to Hamas, leading to an unauthorized attack due to poor night visibility ([02:54]).

This incident highlights ongoing tensions and the tragic consequences of misidentification in conflict zones. The report aims to address accountability and the safeguards necessary to prevent such occurrences in the future.

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5. Jack Black Sets UK Pop Music Record with Minecraft Movie Song

Timestamp: [03:10]

In an unexpected crossover between cinema and music, actor and musician Jack Black has made history in the British pop music scene. Vicki Barker reports that Black, voicing the character Steve in the "Minecraft" movie spin-off, released a song that has become the shortest single ever to reach the UK Top 40, clocking in at just 34 seconds ([03:20]).

The song, celebrated for its concise length, surpasses the previous record by two seconds. Black's creation praises the amusing concept of chicken cooked in molten lava, resonating with audiences and showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. This achievement follows his prior success with "Peaches," a song from the 2023 video game film spin-off, which reached number 28 in the UK charts at 95 seconds long ([03:21]).

Barker emphasizes Black's knack for creating engaging, albeit brief, musical pieces that capture public interest, marking a unique milestone in pop music history ([03:20]).

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6. Soyuz Capsule Successfully Returns Crew from ISS

Timestamp: [04:06]

Nora Rahm reports on the successful landing of a Soyuz space capsule in Kazakhstan, carrying two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut back to Earth after a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). NASA confirms that the crew completed over 3,500 orbits around the Earth during their stay ([04:06]).

In addition to the mission accomplishments, NASA celebrates the 70th birthday of astronaut Don Pettit, marking a personal milestone for the esteemed spacefarer. Furthermore, the episode highlights renown mountain guide Kami Rita’s ambitious plan to scale Mount Everest for the 31st time. Rita expressed his readiness to break his own record, stating he is "mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to climb the world's highest peak" ([04:06]).

Kami Rita's dedication is notable, having first climbed Everest in 1994 and making the ascent nearly every year since then, exemplifying extraordinary perseverance and passion for mountaineering.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of current events, ranging from U.S. political critiques and international legal battles to significant cultural milestones and achievements in space exploration. Through insightful reporting and notable quotes, the episode provides listeners with a clear and engaging understanding of the day's most pressing issues and remarkable stories.

Transcript

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[Nora Rahm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. A Republican senator is criticizing the Trump administration's handling of Kilmore Abrego Garcia's deportation to El Salvador. John Kennedy of Louisiana also says he'll watch President Trump's response to court orders. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Senator John Kennedy]

Senator Kennedy told NBC News Abrego Garcia never should have been sent to El Salvador.

Look, this was a screw up. In my opinion, the administration won't admit it.

Kennedy also said Abrego Garcia should have received a hearing before his wrongful deportation to a Salvadorian prison. But when asked whether he believes Trump is in defiance of a court order to facilitate the man's return, Kennedy said.

I don't believe that President Trump will defy a federal judge's order. If he does, I'll call him out on it.

And Kennedy called Trump's proposal of sending Americans to El Salvador not, quote, appropriate or moral. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Rahm]

More than 100 international students from around the country have joined a lawsuit against the US Government saying their visa statuses were changed without cause. From member station wabe, Emily Wu Pearson reports.

[Charles Cook]

In federal court, immigration attorney Charles Cook said about one third of the students had their visas revoked. Others received notices that they failed to maintain student status. The suit says the administration has removed the students from the system used by the Department of Homeland Security to maintain information mainly regarding international students and their status in the country. But Cook says all the plaintiffs were following the terms of their visas, had not been convicted of any deportable offenses, and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not provide explanations as to why the visas were revoked or changed. For NPR News, I'm Emily Woo Pearson in Atlanta.

[Nora Rahm]

Pope Francis greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square this Easter Sunday, although he did not lead Mass as he recovers from pneumonia. Megan Williams has more.

[Megan Williams]

From the balcony above, a flower filled St. Peter's Square. A frail Pope Francis greeted thousands.

[Christopher White]

Though.

[Megan Williams]

Too weak to lead Mass or deliver his Urbi et orbi, the traditional address to Rome and to the world. It called for a Gaza ceasefire, food for the starving, the release of Israeli hostages and peace in Ukraine, Sudan and the Congo. After five weeks in hospital, the 88 year old Pope is still recovering. But Vatican observer Christopher White says he's.

[Christopher White]

Always tried to be close to the people and even as a very sick and recovering pope. He's doing that today after the service.

[Megan Williams]

Francis greeted crowds from his popemobile. For NPR News, on Megan Williams at the Vatican.

[Nora Rahm]

Israel today released a report on the killing of 15 Palestinian medics by its military last month. It concluded a deputy battalion commander thought the convoy of ambulances belonged to Hamas and ordered it fired on because of poor night visibility. This is NPR News. Actor and musician Jack Black has made British pop music history of a sort. Vicki Barker reports.

[Christopher White]

La la, la, la.

[Jack Black]

As the character Steve in the video game spinoff film, a Minecraft movie, Jack Black sings the praises of chicken cooked in molten lava as he shows the other protagonists around the alternate universe. The overworld lava attack. And now the jingle has become the shortest ever single to reach the UK top 40 at 34 seconds. It beats the previous record holder by two seconds. When it comes to pint sized, Black has form, as the Brits would say. Another song from a video game film spinoff, 2023's Peaches, reached number 28 in the UK all 95 seconds of it. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Nora Rahm]

A Soyuz space capsule landed in Kazakhstan this morning carrying two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut back to Earth. They had spent seven months on the International Space Station. NASA says they orbited the earth more than 3,500 times during their mission. The agency also noted that today is the American's birthday. Don Pettit is now 70 years old. Renowned mountain guide Kami Rita plans to break his own record and scale Mount Everest for the 31st time. He told the Associated Press he is mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to climb the world's highest peak. Kami Rita first climbed Everest in 1994 and has been making the trip nearly every year since then. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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