NPR News: 04-24-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – April 24, 2025

NPR News Now delivers the latest news updates in a concise five-minute format, ensuring listeners stay informed with hourly updates. In the April 24, 2025, episode released at 6 AM EDT, host Korva Coleman covers a range of significant international and domestic events, including escalating conflicts, economic shifts, legal investigations, and notable legal pardons.

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1. Russia Escalates Attacks on Kyiv Amid U.S. Policy Shifts [00:15]

Russia has intensified its military offensive against Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, executing a series of lethal strikes overnight. This surge in aggression follows the Trump administration's proposed plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine, a strategy that critics argue disproportionately favors the Kremlin.

Report Highlights:

• Attack Details: Joanna Kakissis reports from Kyiv about relentless drone and missile attacks, stating, "I recorded these explosions overnight as Ukrainian air defense tried to shoot down a buzzing drone flying over our neighborhood" [00:39].
• Casualties: The Ukrainian military confirms that Russia launched 215 drones and missiles, primarily targeting Kyiv, resulting in at least nine fatalities and 70 injuries.
• Local Impact: Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko shared a poignant image on social media, remarking, "Once again, we are seeing the face of Russian peace," highlighting the grim reality faced by residents as rescue workers tirelessly search for survivors.
• Political Response: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expedited his return from a trip to South Africa, underscoring the critical situation in Kyiv.

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2. U.S. Stock Markets Fluctuate Amid Tariff Negotiations and Federal Reserve Leadership [01:23]

U.S. stock markets exhibited volatility, with Dow Jones futures declining by 250 points in pre-market trading. This downturn contrasts sharply with the previous day's substantial rise of over 400 points, driven by significant statements from key political figures.

Economic Developments:

• Federal Reserve Leadership: Investor confidence was initially buoyed when President Trump stated he would not fire Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell, a move that was well-received in the markets.
• U.S.-China Tariffs: Treasury Secretary Scott Besant commented that the high tariffs imposed on China are "not sustainable," signaling potential shifts in economic policy.

Notable Quote:

• President Trump on Tariffs: "But maybe we'll make a special, you know, a deal and we'll see what it will be. Right now it's 145%. That's very high. It got there because of the fentanyl." [01:58]

Despite these statements, China has firmly denied any ongoing trade talks with the United States, with the Chinese government branding reports of such negotiations as "false."

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3. U.S. Attorney Investigates Editorial Practices of Leading Medical Journals [02:08]

A U.S. attorney is probing the editorial practices of three prestigious medical journals, raising concerns about the integrity of scientific publications.

Investigation Details:

• Journals Involved: The New England Journal of Medicine, Chest, and JAMA (published by the American Medical Association).
• Responses from Journals:
  • Eric Rubin, editor-in-chief of The New England Journal of Medicine, asserted, "The publication publishes evidence-based scientific information that has brought practice-changing and life-saving advances to patients in the US and around the world." [02:28]

Rob Stein of NPR highlights that the investigation follows similar inquiries into other reputable journals, though specific allegations remain undisclosed.

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4. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in Indicted on Bribery Charges [03:07]

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in faces legal challenges as he has been indicted on bribery charges, marking another chapter in the country's history of political scandals.

Case Details:

• Allegations: Prosecutors allege that Moon appointed former lawmaker Lee Sang Jik as head of the Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Agency in exchange for Lee facilitating a position for Moon's former son-in-law at Thai Istar Jet, a budget airline founded by Lee.
• Cultural Context: Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul that South Korea has a history of presidents being embroiled in legal troubles, with precedents including:
  • Park Geun-hye: Impeached in 2016.
  • Yoon Sung Yeol: Impeached last year and removed from office in the current month.

Kuhn emphasizes the cyclical nature of political vendettas in South Korea, where outgoing administrations often face rigorous legal scrutiny.

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5. Country Music Star Jelly Roll Recommended for Pardon in Tennessee [04:29]

In a heartening domestic story, the Tennessee Board of Parole has recommended pardoning country music artist Jelly Roll for his criminal record, recognizing his efforts toward rehabilitation and community engagement.

Pardon Details:

• Jelly Roll's Background: A Nashville native, Jelly Roll has been open about his past criminal activities and his journey toward rehabilitation.
• Community Contributions: He actively visits jails and rehabilitation centers before performing concerts, using his platform to inspire and support others battling similar challenges.

The recommendation for pardon reflects a growing movement towards acknowledging personal growth and second chances within the criminal justice system.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a diverse array of news stories, from the escalating conflict in Ukraine and its global implications to domestic economic shifts and significant legal developments. The coverage provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current events shaping the geopolitical and socio-economic landscape.

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This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode aired on April 24, 2025.

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 Live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Russia has launched deadly strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, overnight. This came after the Trump administration pushed a plan to end Russia's war on Ukraine. The plan sharply favors the Kremlin. NPR's Joanna Kakisses reports from Kyiv that drones and missiles rained down on the city overnight, killing at least nine people and wounding 70 more.

[Joanna Kakissis]

I recorded these explosions overnight as Ukrainian air defense tried to shoot down a buzzing drone flying over our neighborhood. The Ukrainian military says Russia launched 215 drones and missiles at Ukraine, most aimed at Kyiv. In one of the deadliest strikes on the In a video post on social media, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said rescue workers were digging survivors out with their bare hands. Once again, we are seeing the face of Russian peace, he said with sarcasm. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's cutting short a trip to South Africa to return to Kyiv. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Korva Coleman]

Stock markets are slipping today in pre market trading on Wall Street, Dow Jones futures are down 250. Investors had enthusiasm yesterday when the Dow closed up more than 400 points. That was after President Trump said he would not fire Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell. Then Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said that the high tariffs between the US And China were not sustainable. Yesterday, President Trump continued to hint at a possible deal to lower tariffs, saying it depends on what China brings to the table as an offer could be with China.

[Donald Trump]

But maybe we'll make a special, you know, a deal and we'll see what it will be. Right now it's 145%. That's very high. It got there because of the fentanyl.

[Korva Coleman]

But China says there are no talks underway with the United States. The Chinese government says any report of trade talks with the US Are false. NPR has confirmed that a third medical journal has received a letter from a US attorney. NPR's Rob Stein reports it is probing the publication's editorial practices.

[Eric Rubin]

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 wrote that the publication publishes evidence based scientific information that has brought practice changing and life saving advances to patients in the US and around the world. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall Street, Dow futures and Nasdaq futures are still lower. This is npr. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that Iran must give up all of its programs to enrich nuclear material if it wants to secure a deal with the Trump administration. Rubio spoke during an interview with the online publication the Free Press. Iran insists its nuclear enrichment is for peaceful purposes. Former South Korean President Moon Jae in has been indicted on charges of bribery. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul. Moon presided over a period of engagement and diplomacy with North Korea during his five year presidency.

[Anthony Kuhn]

Prosecutors allege that Moon appointed former lawmaker Lee Sang Jik as head of the small and medium enterprises and startups agency the. They allege that in exchange, Lee hired Moon's former son in Law in 2018 as an executive at the budget carrier Thai Istar Jet, which Lee founded. Prosecutors argued that the compensation paid to the son in law amounted to Lee bribing Moon. South Korea has traditions of presidents falling afoul of the law and incoming administrations pursuing vendettas against outgoing ones. Moon's predecessor, former President Park Geun Hye, was impeached in 2016. His successor, Yoon Sung Yeol, was impeached last year and removed from office this month. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Korva Coleman]

The Tennessee Board of Parole has recommended country music star Jelly Roll should be pardoned by the governor for his criminal record. Jelly Roll, a Nashville native, has spoken candidly about his criminal record and his rehabilitation. Jelly Roll often visits jails and rehabilitation centers before he goes to perform concerts. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Nature Conservancy]

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