NPR News Now: April 23, 2025, 10AM EDT

NPR News Now delivers the latest updates in five minutes. In this episode, host Korva Coleman covers significant global and national events, including the public mourning of Pope Francis, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, U.S.-China trade tensions, actions taken by the Trump administration regarding immigration judges, and the detention of a Columbia University student. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Public Mourning for Pope Francis

Reporter: Ruth Sherlock
Timestamp: [00:17]

Public mourning has commenced for Pope Francis, with his body now residing in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Unlike previous pontiff burials, Pope Francis is lying in a single wooden casket instead of the traditional three nested coffins. Additionally, his coffin faces the church pews at ground level rather than being raised, reflecting his efforts to maintain simplicity during his papacy.

Quote:

"Francis is lying in a single wooden casket rather than the three nested coffins that's been traditional of previous pope burials. And the coffin at St. Peter's Basilica is facing the church pews at ground level, not raised up. And this is typical of his papacy of trying to keep a little of the ordinary even in this very extraordinary job."
— Ruth Sherlock, [00:26]

2. U.S. Position on Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Ceasefire Talks

Reporters: Korva Coleman, Joanna Kakissis
Timestamps: [00:46], [01:14]

Vice President Vance has advocated for Russia and Ukraine to accept a U.S. proposal to end the war. He emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement, stating, "if there's no agreement, it's time for the US to walk away from ceasefire talks" ([00:46]). This statement comes amidst discussions in London, which have been downgraded in level following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's abrupt cancellation of his trip due to scheduling issues.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has adjusted the peace talks to include representatives from Europe, the U.S., and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored the necessity of a ceasefire preceding any peace deal, warning, "This is a dangerous moment. It does not send a very good signal if America pulls out of negotiations" ([01:14]). Additionally, reports indicate that the Trump administration is pressuring Ukraine to recognize Crimea as part of Russia, further complicating negotiations.

3. Easing of U.S.-China Trade Tensions and Market Reaction

Reporter: Scott Horsley
Timestamps: [01:58], [02:31]

The U.S. stock market opened sharply higher as signals emerged that the Trump administration might ease trade tensions with China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 1,000 points in early trading ([01:58]). Treasury Secretary Scott Besant highlighted the unsustainable nature of the ongoing trade standoff, suggesting potential de-escalation:

"President Trump's triple-digit tariffs on imports from China have brought a lot of trade between the world's two biggest economies to a standstill... the situation is unsustainable and suggested a de-escalation may be in store."
— Scott Horsley, [02:31]

President Trump echoed these sentiments, expressing expectations that tariffs would be significantly reduced. In a separate development, Tesla's stock saw an uptick after CEO Elon Musk announced plans to dedicate more time to running the company and less to Washington, following a decline in sales and profits in the year's first quarter.

4. Trump Administration's Actions Against Immigration Judges

Reporter: Ximena Bustillo
Timestamps: [03:13], [03:46]

President Trump has initiated legal action against the law firm Perkins Coie, alleging unspecified unlawful acts by a member of the firm ([03:13]). This move follows his previous targeting of the firm through a presidential executive order. In parallel, the Trump administration has terminated at least eight additional immigration judges, part of a broader trend of reducing federal probationary employees.

Quote:

"The judges who received the notices weren't given a reason for the termination. The latest firings come as dozens of courts around the country are already facing vacancies... These judges are the only ones who can revoke someone's green card and among the few who can grant asylum."
— Ximena Bustillo, [03:46]

These firings exacerbate the existing strain on the immigration court system, which already has nearly 4 million pending cases as of the last quarter of 2024. The administration aims to heighten arrests and deportations, but immigrant rights groups argue that reducing the number of judges hampers these efforts.

5. Detention of Columbia University Student Amidst Pro-Palestinian Activism

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [04:22]

Mohsen Madawi, a Columbia University student, is facing detention after being taken into custody by federal immigration agents in Vermont. Madawi believed he was attending a meeting that was the final step toward obtaining U.S. citizenship. However, his detention has raised concerns, with his lawyers alleging that he is being targeted due to his pro-Palestinian activism.

The Trump administration is pursuing his deportation, leading to a federal hearing scheduled to determine his fate. This case highlights the administration's stringent immigration policies and the challenges faced by activists within the current legal framework.

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