NPR News: 04-24-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 24, 2025 – Detailed Summary

Hosted by NPR, this episode of "NPR News Now" provides a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments. The following summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the five-minute broadcast.

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1. President Trump's Tariff Policies and Legal Challenges

[00:16 - 02:21]

Shea Stevens reports from Washington on President Trump's ongoing efforts to renegotiate trade agreements, particularly focusing on tariffs imposed on Chinese goods. President Trump has reiterated his intention to lower these tariffs, stating that additional measures may be announced depending on negotiations with U.S. trading partners.

In an Oval Office briefing with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump emphasized the broad scope of his engagement with global leaders:

• Donald Trump [00:39]: "What's happened is how many countries have we spoken to already?"
• Donald Trump [00:43]: "90. And they all want to make deals. And we're going to make deals, but they're going to be fair deals."

However, the administration faces significant legal hurdles as a dozen states have filed lawsuits challenging the legality of the tariff policies. These states argue that the import taxes violate existing trade agreements and harm their economies. California Governor Gavin Newsom spearheaded a similar lawsuit, asserting that the tariffs adversely affect his state's economic interests.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant addressed these issues at a global economic summit, advocating for the United States to maintain its leadership in the global economy despite challenges posed by the trade war. Bessant highlighted the administration's commitment to fostering economic growth and stability on the international stage.

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2. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant’s Remarks on Global Economic Leadership

[02:00 - 02:21]

Speaking at a gathering of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, Scott Bessant criticized both institutions for deviating from their foundational missions. He asserted that the IMF and World Bank should prioritize addressing pressing issues like climate change while simultaneously promoting energy development to spur economic growth.

• Scott Bessant [02:00]: "Energy abundance sparks economic abundance. That's why the bank should encourage an all of the above approach to energy development."

Bessant also noted that the IMF has downgraded its global economic growth forecast for the year, attributing this revision largely to the impact of President Trump's trade policies.

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3. Chicago Mass Honoring Pope Francis

[02:21 - 03:07]

In Chicago, a diverse group of Catholics and interfaith leaders gathered at the city's Roman Catholic Cathedral to honor Pope Francis. Catherine Moon, despite personal struggles with her faith, attended the Mass to pay her respects alongside others.

• Catherine Moon [02:41]: "We have a real issue with people who still want to stay in the church, myself being one of them."
• Kevin Kopp [02:55]: "I want to be here because I think Pope Francis was a really good leader for the church."

The event was attended by over 50 local clergy and interfaith leaders, reflecting the widespread impact of Pope Francis's leadership within the religious community.

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4. Weinstein Trial and AI Experts' Opposition to OpenAI’s Restructuring

[03:07 - 04:23]

Shea Stevens updates listeners on significant legal and technological developments. The retrial of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has commenced in New York, where he faces charges of rape and sexual assault involving three women. Weinstein is contesting a 2020 conviction and a 23-year prison sentence, with similar legal challenges underway in Los Angeles.

In the technology sector, more than 30 leading AI experts have signed an open letter urging the attorneys general of California and Delaware to block OpenAI's restructuring plan. This restructuring is a critical step toward finalizing a $40 billion deal with SoftBank. The experts express concerns that OpenAI has not adequately demonstrated how its transition into a for-profit entity aligns with its mission to develop AI safely for humanity's benefit.

• Donald Trump [04:13]: "It promised the public and Congress and the world at large that it was different, it would act responsibly. You could trust it, and I think we should hold it to those promises."

In response, an OpenAI spokesperson clarified that the company’s for-profit arm would function as a public benefit corporation, aligning with other AI laboratories like Anthropic.

• OpenAI Spokesperson [04:23]: "Our for profit will be a public benefit benefit corporation, similar to several other AI labs like Anthropic, where some of these former employees now work."

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5. Senator Dick Durbin’s Retirement Announcement

[04:38 - 04:54]

Shea Stevens reports that Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has announced he will not seek re-election after serving five terms. As the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, Durbin's decision marks a significant shift within the party, especially as Democrats are strategizing to regain control of the Senate. He stated that it is time to "pass the torch," signaling his desire to make way for new leadership.

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This summary encapsulates the major topics covered in the April 24, 2025 episode of "NPR News Now," offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the discussions and developments presented.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy]

This message comes from the Nature Conservancy. Working together to create a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature. Explore ways to act during Earth Month and every [e-mail] NPR.

[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump is again saying he intends to lower tariffs on goods from China. Trump also says he could announce even more tariffs in the coming weeks, depending depending on negotiations with U.S. trading partners. In an Oval Office appearance with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the president was hesitant to suggest any timeline for possible trade agreements.

[Donald Trump]

What's happened is we've Howard how many countries have we spoken to already?

90.

90. And they all want to make deals. And we're going to make deals, but they're going to be fair deals.

[Shea Stevens]

Trump says a trade deal with China will depend on what that nation brings to the table. A dozen states are suing the Trump administration to stop the tariff policy. The plaintiffs want the import taxes declared illegal. The suit was filed yesterday in the US Court of International Trade in New York. White House officials are accusing Democratic attorneys general of engaging in a witch hunt against President Trump. Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a similar case, arguing that the terrorists will harm his state's economy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says the US Wants to remain a leader in the global economy even as Trump's tariffs cast a cloud over worldwide trade. NPR Scott Horsey reports on Bessant's remarks on the sidelines of a global economic summit.

[Scott Bessant]

Bessen addressed a gathering of the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, two institutions set up in the wake of World War II to foster peace and global prosperity. Bessen accused the IMF and World bank of straying from their core missions to tackle problems such as climate change. He urged the World bank to to finance more nuclear and fossil fuel projects in developing countries.

Energy abundance sparks economic abundance. That's why the bank should encourage an all of the above approach to energy development.

The IMF has downgraded its forecast of global economic growth this year, largely as a result of President Trump's trade war. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

People across Chicago gathered at the city's Roman Catholic Cathedral Wednesday for a Mass honoring Pope Francis. From member station wbez, Adora Nami Ghatte has the story.

[Catherine Moon]

Glory to God in the highest.

[Amadora Namigad Day]

Chicagoan Catherine Moon showed up to the Mass despite struggles with her Catholic faith.

[Catherine Moon]

We have a real issue with people who still want to stay in the church, myself being one of them. You know, people don't my husband calls them cafeteria Catholics. I am one.

[Amadora Namigad Day]

Still, she wanted to pray for the pope with other Catholics like Kevin Kopp.

[Kevin Kopp]

I want to be here because I think Pope Francis was a really good leader for the church.

[Amadora Namigad Day]

More than 50 Chicago area clergy and interfaith leaders also paid their respects. For NPR News, Amadora Namigad Day in Chicago.

[Shea Stevens]

US Futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr. The retrial of Harvey Weinstein has begun in New York. The 73 year old former movie mogul is charged with rape and sexual assault of three women, including one who was not a part of the original trial. New York's highest court overturned his trial 2020 conviction and 23 year prison sentence last year, citing judicial error. Weinstein is also challenging a similar conviction in Los angeles. More than 30 top AI experts have signed an open letter asking the attorneys general of California and Delaware to block OpenAI's restructuring bid, which is needed to finalize a $40 billion deal with SoftBank. From member station KQED, Rachel Myro has details.

[Rachel Myro]

The open letter says that OpenAI has not publicly explained how its plan to restructure into a for profit advances its stated purpose of safely developing AI for the benefit of humanity. Former policy and ethics advisor at OpenAI, Paige Headley, is among the signers.

[Donald Trump]

It promised the public and Congress and the world at large that it was different, it would act responsibly. You could trust it, and I think we should hold it to those promises.

[Rachel Myro]

In a statement, an OpenAI spokesperson wrote, Our for profit will be a public benefit benefit corporation, similar to several other AI labs like Anthropic, where some of these former employees now work. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Myro in San Francisco.

[Shea Stevens]

Longtime Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says he will not seek re election after five terms. The second ranking Democrat in the chamber says it's time to pass the torch. Durbin's announcement comes as Democrats try to regain control of the Senate. This is NPR News.

[Nature Conservancy]

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