NPR News: 04-21-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 21, 2025 - Detailed Episode Summary

In the April 21, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Korva Coleman presents a series of significant news stories ranging from global events to domestic issues in the United States. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Passing of Pope Francis

Timestamp: [00:19]

Reporting by: Korva Coleman and Rob Schmitz

The Vatican announced the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Prior to his passing, Pope Francis had been hospitalized for five weeks, initially for bronchitis and later for severe pneumonia. Despite his illness, he managed to recuperate enough to participate in Easter Sunday celebrations by blessing worshippers in St. Peter's Square just a day before his demise.

Reactions from European Leaders:

• Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, stated on social media:
  “Pope Francis inspired millions far beyond the Catholic Church with his humility and love for the less fortunate most. My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.”
  [00:47]

• Friedrich Merz, Incoming German Chancellor, posted on X:
  “Pope Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation.”
  [00:55]

• Andrzej Duda, Polish President, remarked:
  “Pope Francis’ pastoral work was characterized by humility and modesty and that he was a great apostle of mercy in which he saw the answer to the challenges of the modern world.”
  [01:05]

Rob Schmitz concluded the segment from Berlin, reflecting on the global impact of the Pope's leadership and his enduring legacy.

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2. US-China Trade Negotiations and Tensions

Timestamp: [01:26]

Reporting by: John Ruich

As the Trump administration engages in negotiations to forge trade deals with various countries, China has issued a stern warning against any agreements detrimental to its interests.

Key Points:

• China’s Stance:
  “China respects the efforts of others to try to resolve trade disputes with the US through consultation. But it warns that it'll take corresponding countermeasures if any deals are struck at the expense of China's interests.”
  [01:38]

• Context of Negotiations:
  President Trump aims to leverage tariff negotiations to isolate China, despite stating a desire for a comprehensive deal with Beijing. Recently, he escalated tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, prompting China to retaliate with equally high tariffs on US goods.

• China’s Warning:
  “Seeking tariff exemptions by harming the interests of others will only lead to failure on both sides and ultimately hurt everyone.”
  [01:55]

John Ruich reported from Shanghai, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of the trade tensions and the potential for prolonged economic strain between the two superpowers.

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3. Deportation and Legal Battles Over Immigrant Quilma Abrego Garcia

Timestamp: [02:22]

Reporting by: Korva Coleman

Four members of the US House of Representatives traveled to El Salvador to demand the release of Quilma Abrego Garcia, an immigrant who was illegally deported from Maryland to a Salvadoran prison. The US Supreme Court has mandated the Trump administration to facilitate his return, but officials remain resistant.

Key Statements:

• Tom Homan, Trump administration's border czar, asserted:
  “I believe we're moving removing public safety threats and terrorists, designated terrorists to that prison, El Salvador.”
  [02:30]

However, federal courts have ruled that the Trump administration must provide due process and cannot unlawfully deny Garcia's return. The administration faces legal pressure to comply with the Supreme Court's order, highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration policies.

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4. Court Appearance of El Paso Gunman Patrick Crucius

Timestamp: [02:50]

Reporting by: Korva Coleman

Patrick Crucius, the perpetrator of the devastating racist attack in El Paso, Texas, where 23 people were killed at a Walmart in 2019, is set to appear in state court. Crucius is expected to enter a plea deal, admitting intentional targeting of Latino shoppers in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Instead, he faces a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

This development marks a significant step in the legal proceedings surrounding one of the most tragic hate crimes in recent US history.

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5. Tesla Takedown Campaign and Protests Against Elon Musk

Timestamp: [03:49]

Reporting by: Emma Bowman

A growing movement dubbed the "Tesla Takedown Campaign" has been actively protesting against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. About 100 protesters convened at a Tesla service center in Burbank on Easter Sunday, a decrease from their peak attendance of 300 participants a month and a half earlier.

Primary Motivations:

• Efforts to Dismantle Federal Agencies: Protesters accuse Elon Musk of attempting to weaken federal institutions, aiming to diminish his influence and, by extension, tarnish Tesla's brand.

• Impact on Tesla’s Performance: Joel Lava, a leader in the movement, believes the boycott has negatively affected Tesla’s stock and US sales, stating:
  “I think it's now a house of cards. It's about to tumble, so we're going to keep the pressure on.”
  [04:22 - 04:25]

Future Targets:
The campaign plans to extend its protests to Musk's other ventures, including SpaceX and the social media platform X ([04:26]).

Emma Bowman concluded the segment from Los Angeles, highlighting the sustained efforts to challenge Musk's business empire.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with comprehensive coverage of pivotal events shaping both global dynamics and domestic landscapes in the United States, enriched with firsthand quotes and authoritative reporting.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis has died today at the age of 88. He had been ill recently and spent five weeks in the hospital being treated initially for bronchitis and then for severe pneumonia. He was still recovering. Francis had delighted worshippers in St. Peter's Square just yesterday, riding in the popemobile to bless the crowd on Easter Sunday. With the death of Pope Francis, reaction is pouring in from throughout Europe. NPR's Rob Schmitz has more.

[Rob Schmitz]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media that Pope Francis inspired millions far beyond the Catholic Church with his humility and love for the less fortunate most. My thoughts, she said, are with all who feel this profound loss. Incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz posted on X that Pope Francis will be remembered for his tireless commitment to the weakest in society, to justice and reconciliation. Polish President Andrzej Duda wrote in a statement that Pope Francis pastoral work was characterized by humility and modesty and that he was a great apostle of mercy in which he saw the answer to the challenges of the modern world. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin.

[Korva Coleman]

As the Trump administration negotiates trade deals with other countries, China has issued a warning. NPR's John Ruich reports. The warning is against any agreements that harm Chinese interests.

[John Ruich]

China's Commerce Ministry says it respects the efforts of others to try to resolve trade disputes with the US through consultation. But it warns that it'll take corresponding countermeasures if any deals are struck at the expense of China's interests. It did not give details. The comments come after reports that President Trump is hoping to use tariff negotiations, negotiations with other countries to isolate China. At the same time, Trump has said he wants to do a deal with Beijing. This month, he raised the base tariff on Chinese imports to a dizzying 145%. China responded in kind with high tariffs on US goods. The Chinese Commerce Ministry says seeking tariff exemptions by harming the interests of others will only lead to failure on both sides and ultimately hurt everyone. John Ruich, NPR News, Shanghai.

[Korva Coleman]

Four members of the House of Representatives have arrived in El Salvador today. They're demanding the release of Quilma Abrego Garcia. He is the immigrant illegally deported from Maryland to a prison in EL SALVADOR. The U.S. supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return. Trump administration officials say the immigrant is not coming back. President Trump's border czar Tom Homan claims the Trump administration is doing the right thing. I believe we're moving removing public safety threats and terrorists, designated terrorists to that prison, El Salvador. He spoke to ABC's this Week. But federal courts have ruled that if deported people are, in fact terrorists, the Trump administration should have no problem proving that in court and that the Trump administration cannot deny due process to people and evade the constitution. This is NPR. The gunman who shot and killed 23 people in a racist attack in El Paso, Texas, in 2019 will appear in a state court today. Patrick Crucius is expected to accept a plea deal and admit he intentionally targeted Latino shoppers at a Walmart. In exchange, he would avoid the death penalty for a life prison term without parole. Protesters across the US And Europe have demonstrated outside facilities for Tesla. This has been dubbed the Tesla takedown campaign. NPR's Emma Bowman has more.

[Emma Bowman]

About 100 people showed up to the protests on a sunny Easter Sunday in front of a Tesla service center in Burbank. That's down from its peak turnout of 300 people a month and a half ago. The primary motivator for its members has been Tesla CEO Elon Musk's work to dismantle federal agencies. Organizers want to chip away at the billionaire's power, and they say that starts with tarnishing Tesla's brand. Joel Lava, who helps lead the effort in L A, thinks the boycott movement gets some credit for Tesla's falling stock and drop in US Sales.

[Korva Coleman]

I think it's now a house of cards.

[John Ruich]

It's about to tumble, so we're going.

[Shopify]

To keep the pressure on.

[Emma Bowman]

The campaign says it plans to target Musk's other businesses next, including SpaceX and the Social media platform X. Emma Bowman, NPR News, Los Angeles.

[Korva Coleman]

Again, repeating our top story. The Vatican says that Pope Francis has died at his residence today. He had just blessed worshipers in St. Peter's Square yesterday who had gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday. Pope Francis was 88 years old. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Shopify]

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