NPR News Now: April 23, 2025, 4PM EDT
On April 23, 2025, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest global and national events. Hosted by Lakshmi Singh, the episode covered significant developments in the global economy, legal proceedings within the U.S., the passing of Pope Francis, regulatory actions in the tech industry, and notable milestones in the digital entertainment space. Below is a detailed summary of the key stories discussed.
1. U.S. Economic Leadership Amidst Global Trade Tensions
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [00:25]
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant emphasized the United States' intention to sustain its leadership in the global economy despite the ongoing challenges posed by President Trump's tariffs. Speaking at a global economic summit, Besant addressed concerns surrounding worldwide trade dynamics.
Speaker: Scott Horsley
Timestamp: [00:46]
Scott Horsley reported on Besant's remarks made during a gathering of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank—institutions established post-World War II to promote peace and prosperity. Besant criticized both institutions, accusing them of deviating from their primary missions to address emerging issues like climate change. He advocated for the World Bank to invest more in nuclear and fossil fuel projects in developing nations, stressing that "Energy abundance sparks economic abundance" and promoting an "all of the above" strategy for energy development.
Horsley also highlighted that the IMF has downgraded its global economic growth forecast for the year, attributing the decline largely to the repercussions of President Trump's trade war policies.
Notable Quote:
"Energy abundance sparks economic abundance. That's why the bank should encourage an all of the above approach to energy development."
— Scott Besant, [00:46]
2. Legal Battle Over Illegal Deportation
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [01:28]
A federal judge has set a deadline for the Trump administration to respond to allegations regarding the unlawful deportation of a Maryland resident, Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The administration faces accusations of deliberately ignoring the judge's order.
Speaker: Joel Rose
Timestamp: [01:41]
Joel Rose detailed that three federal courts have instructed the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia's return. The administration has admitted that Garcia, a 29-year-old man, was deported in the previous month due to an administrative error. However, they contend that his return is unfeasible as he is currently in El Salvador's custody.
Federal Judge Paul Azinis has mandated the administration to outline the steps being taken to secure Garcia's repatriation. Despite this, Judge Azinis expressed frustration over what she describes as the administration's "willful and bad faith refusal to comply with her order," dismissing several objections raised by the Justice Department.
Notable Quote:
"We don't care who owns a company. What we're caring about is our consumers, our citizens, our businesses."
— Judge Paul Azinis, in response to the Trump administration's objections, [04:15]
3. Passing of Pope Francis and Upcoming Funeral
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:16]
St. Peter's Basilica has become the focal point for mourners as they begin to file past the late Pope Francis's casket in anticipation of his funeral scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a stroke.
Speaker: Lauren Freyr
Timestamp: [02:34]
Lauren Freyr provided a vivid description of the solemn ceremonies. A choir performed, and cardinals chanted in Latin as Pope Francis's body was transported in a red velvet-lined open casket to St. Peter's Basilica, accompanied by Swiss guards and priests holding long candles. The public viewing will continue until Friday evening, after which hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the pope's open-air funeral.
Prominent figures confirmed to attend the funeral include President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and British Prince William. The conclave to elect a new pope is anticipated to take place within the next two weeks inside the Sistine Chapel.
4. European Union Fines Tech Giants Apple and Meta
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [03:16]
European Union regulators have imposed substantial fines on major U.S. tech companies Apple and Meta, citing violations of Europe’s digital services regulations. Terry Schultz reported on these developments from Brussels.
Speaker: Terry Schultz
Timestamp: [03:41]
Under the EU's 2022 competition law aimed at enhancing sector competitiveness, Apple has been fined €570 million for contravening the Digital Markets Act. The commission alleges that Apple prevented app developers from directly communicating with consumers about sales and alternative products. Similarly, Meta faces a fine of nearly €230 million for forcing users to either consent to their personal data being used for targeted advertising or to pay for ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram.
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Renier dismissed Meta's complaints that U.S. companies are being unfairly targeted, asserting, "We don't care who owns a company. What we're caring about is our consumers, our citizens, our businesses." Schultz noted that Meta intends to appeal the decision.
Notable Quote:
"We don't care who owns a company. What we're caring about is our consumers, our citizens, our businesses."
— Thomas Renier, European Commission spokesperson, [04:15]
5. YouTube Milestones: Mr. Beast's Dominance
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [04:26]
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, YouTube now boasts two and a half billion active users globally, with 500 hours of videos being uploaded every minute. The platform recognizes the first individual to reach a million subscribers, Lukas Cruikshank, known for his viral character Fred.
Speaker: Joel Rose
Timestamp: [04:39] - [04:56]
Joel Rose highlighted that despite the milestone, Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as Mr. Beast, remains YouTube's most influential creator. Demonstrating his continued dominance, Donaldson announced the construction of "the most deadly obstacle course in the world," challenging his friend Mack to complete it without falling from a 200-foot drop.
Notable Quote:
"I have built the most deadly obstacle course in the world, and my friend Mack here is attempting to complete it without falling 200ft to the ground."
— Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast), [04:47]
With an astounding 386 million subscribers, Mr. Beast continues to set benchmarks in digital content creation.
6. Market and Technology News Briefs
Speaker: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [03:16 - Briefly Covered]
On Wall Street, major market indices closed with significant gains, rising between 1% to 2.5%, signaling a positive trend in financial markets.
Conclusion
The April 23, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet comprehensive overview of pivotal events shaping the global landscape. From economic policies and legal disputes to significant cultural moments and regulatory actions, the episode encapsulated the multifaceted nature of current affairs, delivering insightful commentary and updates essential for an informed audience.