NPR News: 04-23-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 23, 2025, 7 PM EDT

NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of the latest global and national events in just five minutes. This summary captures the episode's key discussions, insights, and conclusions, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for context.

---

1. Pope Francis's Funeral Arrangements

Reporter: Lauren Freyer
Timestamp: [00:19] - [00:42]

The Catholic world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, with his body lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica. Over three days, thousands have gathered to pay their respects.

• Public Viewing: Lasts through Friday evening.
• Funeral Details: Scheduled for Saturday in St. Peter's Square, expecting hundreds of thousands in attendance.
• Notable Attendees: President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Britain's Prince William have confirmed their presence.
• Succession Process: The conclave to elect a new pope will take place in the Sistine Chapel within the next two weeks.

Lauren Freyer reported, “[00:42] A choir sang and cardinals chanted in Latin as Pope Francis' body was carried...”

---

2. US Attorney Investigates Medical Journals

Reporter: Rob Stein
Timestamp: [01:24] - [02:12]

A U.S. attorney is scrutinizing the editorial practices of prominent medical journals, raising concerns about transparency and integrity in scientific publishing.

• Journals Under Investigation: New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Chest, and JAMA (published by the American Medical Association).
• NEJM's Response: Editor-in-Chief Eric Rubin emphasized the journal's commitment to "evidence-based scientific information" that has led to "practice-changing and life-saving advances" globally.

Rob Stein explained, “[01:33] The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine told NPR that the magazine had gotten a letter of inquiry...”

---

3. Corporate Responsibility in Climate Change

Study: Dartmouth College
Timestamp: [02:12] - [02:37]

A new Dartmouth College study highlights the substantial impact of the world's largest corporations on global climate change.

• Findings: 111 major companies are responsible for approximately $28 trillion in climate-related damages.
• Major Contributors: Over half of the damages are attributed to ten fossil fuel giants, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, and Saudi Aramco.

Scott Horsley reported, “[02:12] The world's biggest companies are responsible for a significant share of global climate change...”

---

4. Wall Street Reactions: Trade Tensions Easing Hopes

Reporter: Scott Horsley
Timestamp: [02:37] - [03:17]

Investor optimism surges on Wall Street amid potential easing of US-China trade tensions, coupled with positive corporate earnings reports.

• Trade Relations: Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed optimism about a "big deal" between the US and China, though the Trump administration has yet to reduce its triple-digit tariffs on Chinese imports.
• Stock Market Movements:
  • Boeing: Shares rose following a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss.
  • Tesla: Stock increased after CEO Elon Musk pledged to dedicate more time to running the company and less to political engagements, following a quarter of declining sales and profits.

Scott Horsley noted, “[02:37] Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says there's an opportunity for a big deal between the world's two largest economies...”

---

5. Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Approval Nears

Reporter: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [03:17] - [03:55]

Novavax announces progress toward full U.S. approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, alleviating earlier concerns over potential political delays.

• Vaccine Details: Novavax offers the only traditional protein-based COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. market.
• Market Reaction: Company shares surged over 21% following the announcement.
• Approval Status: After a previously delayed decision, discussions with the FDA indicate the vaccine is on track for approval.

Jack Spear reported, “[03:17] Drugmaker Novavax says its closely watched COVID-19 vaccine is on track for full U.S. approval...”

---

6. Devastating Algae Bloom in Southern California

Reporter: McKenna Sivertson
Timestamp: [03:55] - [04:34]

Southern California faces one of its worst harmful algae blooms, resulting in significant marine wildlife fatalities.

• Impact: Deaths of sea lions, pelicans, and at least two whale species due to neurotoxins affecting the brain and nervous system.
• Expert Insight: Dave Bader from the Marine Mammal Care Center highlighted the severity, stating, “[04:15] We've given them the dignity of a humane end of life and one that is reduced in as much stress as possible.”
• Environmental Concerns: This marks the fourth consecutive year of intense blooms, exacerbated by climate change impacts.

McKenna Sivertson reported, “[03:55] Southern California could be dealing with its worst harmful algae bloom ever...”

---

7. Instagram Implements AI Age Verification

Reporter: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [04:34] - [04:59]

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, is deploying artificial intelligence to identify and manage underage users, aiming to enforce age restrictions more effectively.

• Method: AI-driven analysis to determine users' ages based on their profiles and activity.
• Policy: Accounts suspected of belonging to teenagers, even if registered with adult birthdays, will be converted to teen accounts.
• Purpose: Enhance compliance with age-related regulations and protect younger users from inappropriate content.

Jack Spear explained, “[04:34] Parent company Meta says it plans to proactively look for accounts it suspects belong to teens...”

---

NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues, ensuring listeners stay informed with accurate and engaging reporting.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Charles Schwab with its original podcast on Investing. Each week you'll get thoughtful, in depth analysis of both the stock and the bond markets. Listen today and [e-mail] oninvesting or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The body of Pope Francis is lying in State at St. Peter's Basilica, where three days of public viewing are underway. NPR's Lauren Freyer reports. Mourners have been filing past the pope's casket to pay their respects ahead of Saturday's funeral. In St. Peter's Square.

[Lauren Freyer]

A choir sang and cardinals chanted in Latin as Pope Francis body was carried in a red velvet lined open casket into St. Peter's Basilica flanked by Swiss Guards and priests carrying long candles. Public viewing lasts through Friday evening. Then on Saturday, hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the pope's open funeral in St. Peter's Square. President Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky and Britain's Prince William are among those who've confirmed their attendance. The cardinal's conclave, where a new pope will be chosen through secret ballot inside the Sistine Chapel, is not expected for another two weeks. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, Rome.

[Jack Spear]

NPR has confirmed a third medical journal has received a letter from a U.S. attorney probing the publication's editorial practices. More from NPR's Rob Stein.

[Rob Stein]

The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine told NPR that the magazine had gotten a letter of inquiry from the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. That comes after a journal called Chest confirmed receiving the letter and NPR confirmed that jama, which is published by the American Medical association, also got the inquiry. In response, the New England Journal of Medicine's editor in chief, Eric Rubin, wrote that the publication, quote, publishes evidence based scientific information that has, quote, brought practice changing and life saving advances to patients in the U.S. and around the world. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

The world's biggest companies are responsible for a significant share of global climate change. That's according to a new study from Dartmouth College. According to the analysis of 111 companies combined, they're to blame for roughly 28 trillion in climate damage. That more than half was blamed on 10 fossil fuel providers, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Shell and Saudi Aramco. A relief rally continued on Wall street today. Here's NPR's Scott Hor.

[Scott Horsley]

Investors are cautiously optimistic there could be some easing of trade tensions between the US And China. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says there's an opportunity for a big deal between the world's two largest economies, though so far the Trump administration has not offered to relax its triple digit tariffs on imports from China. Boeing is one of the nation's largest exporters and one of the blue chip firms that make up the Dow Jones industrial average. The jetmaker's stock gained altitude after Boeing reported a smaller than expected quarterly loss. Tesla shares were also up after CEO Elon Musk promised to spend more more time running the company and less time in Washington. Tesla suffered a sharp drop in sales and profits in its most recent quarter. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

This is NPR. Drugmaker Novavax says its closely watched COVID 19 vaccine is on track for full U.S. approval after discussions with the Food and Drug Administration. The news sent company shares soaring more than 21% in morning trading. A decision on the vaccine was delayed earlier this month, which sparked some concerns the shot might be held up for political reasons. Novav makes the nation's only traditional protein based COVID 19 vaccine. Southern California could be dealing with its worst harmful algae bloom ever, and it's killing marine wildlife up and down the coast. Remember station LAIST McKenna Sivertson has the story.

[McKenna Sivertson]

Sea lions, pelicans and at least two whales from separate species have died from a neurotoxin connected to the bloom, which affects the animal's brain and nervous system. Dave Bader is with the Marine Mammal Care center in San Pedro, which has rescued hundreds of sick and stranded animals. He says dolphins have no chance of recovery.

[Dave Bader]

We've given them the dignity of a humane end of life and one that is reduced in as much stress as possible.

[McKenna Sivertson]

This is the fourth year in a row there's been a bloom like this, and Bader says it's gotten worse in recent years because of climate change. For NPR News, I'm McKenna Sivertson in Los Angeles.

[Jack Spear]

Kids pretending to be adults signing up for Instagram may have to deal with the company's version of a Robocop, the photo video sharing app says it's using AI to determine people's ages. Parent company Meta says it plans to proactively look for accounts it suspects belong to teens, even if they signed up using an adult birthday. If those accounts are discovered, the company says they'll be converted to teen accounts. I'm Jack Speer, NPR News, in Washington.

[Mint Mobile]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less, and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.