NPR News: 04-24-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of April 24, 2025, 8AM EDT Episode

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest global and domestic events in its April 24, 2025, episode. The broadcast covered significant developments ranging from international conflicts and trade negotiations to major political shifts and notable events in the sports world. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the episode.

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I. International News

A. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's Abrupt South Africa Visit Cut Short Due to Russian Missile Attacks

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [00:15]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was forced to terminate his visit to South Africa prematurely following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. The attacks resulted in at least eight fatalities and over 70 injuries, underscoring the volatile security situation in the region.

Reporter: Kate Bartlett
Timestamp: [00:35]

Despite the abrupt end to his visit, Zelenskyy expressed his commitment to meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, he delegated the remainder of his engagements in South Africa, including discussions with civil society leaders, to his foreign minister. "I will return to Ukraine immediately after my meeting with Ramaphosa," Zelenskyy stated, highlighting the critical nature of the ongoing conflict.

This development marks a significant moment in the shifting global geopolitical landscape. South Africa has maintained an official stance of neutrality regarding the Ukraine war but faces accusations of favoring Russia, a BRICS ally. Zelenskyy's visit occurred amid renewed criticisms from former President Donald Trump, who has also targeted the South African government in his rhetoric this year.

B. US-China Trade Relations and Potential Shifts in Tariff Policies

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [01:12]

Amidst ongoing tensions, President Donald Trump announced his intention to work towards a "fair trade deal" with China. This declaration comes in the wake of reciprocal steep tariffs imposed by both the United States and China, actions that have significantly unsettled stock market investors.

Reporter: Asma Khalid
Timestamp: [01:27]

Asma Khalid analyzed the motivations behind Trump's hints at altering tariff policies. She identified two primary factors driving this potential shift:

1. Economic Impact: Khalid noted that maintaining current tariffs could severely impede US-China trade, potentially bringing it to a near halt.

2. Stock Market Stability: The existing tariffs have generated substantial economic uncertainty, adversely affecting investor confidence. "Trump's team is now boasting that they're striking deals, that they're in conversation with some 90 countries," Khalid explained, indicating a strategic pivot to alleviate market tensions.

However, Beijing has dismissed any notions of imminent trade negotiations. Chinese officials have categorically denied reports of trade talks between the two nations, reinforcing the ongoing stalemate in trade relations.

C. Passing of Pope Francis and Vatican Proceedings

Reporter: Lauren Frayer
Timestamp: [01:55]

In a significant religious event, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 due to a stroke on Monday. The Vatican responded by keeping the doors of St. Peter's Basilica open throughout the night to accommodate the approximately 50,000 mourners wishing to pay their respects during the first 24 hours of viewing.

Mourner's Quote: Martine Xabi
Timestamp: [02:42]
"And we know he will see the Father. He will see God."

The overwhelming turnout led to only a brief closure for cleaning purposes. Despite the high number of attendees, some individuals waited over five hours to view the pope's body, which was placed in a red velvet-lined, simple wooden coffin. Following the funeral, which was attended by global leaders, Pope Francis will be buried outside the Vatican at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, marking a departure from traditional burial sites and symbolizing a connection to an immigrant area.

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II. U.S. Domestic News

A. President Trump's Executive Orders on Education and Youth Political Sentiments

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [03:10]

President Trump has signed several executive orders targeting the education sector. Notably:

1. College Accreditation: The administration aims to reform the accreditation process, which colleges undergo to receive federal financial aid. Trump asserts that this move is designed to combat "ideological bias in higher education."

2. Disclosure of Foreign Gifts: New regulations require educational institutions to disclose any foreign gifts or contracts, extending existing federal laws that mandate disclosure for transactions valued at $250,000 or more.

Additionally, a recent Harvard University poll indicates concerning trends among young Americans that lawmakers should heed, especially those seeking to engage with younger voters.

Reporter: Elena Moore
Timestamp: [03:58]

Harvard's national youth poll, conducted in mid-March with over 2,000 participants aged 18 to 29, reveals that only 15% of Americans under 30 believe the country is headed in the right direction. Further insights include:

• Political Approval Ratings: Less than one-third approve of congressional Republicans or President Trump's performance, consistent with previous polling data.

• Democrats' Declining Support: Approval of Democratic Congress members has plummeted to just 23%, a significant drop from past years, particularly since 2020. This decline poses challenges for Democratic leaders who are eager to reclaim support ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. "It's a deficit some Democratic leaders say must be addressed," Moore reported.

These findings suggest a shifting political landscape where traditional support bases are undergoing transformation, necessitating strategic adjustments from political parties.

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III. Sports

A. Anticipation Builds for the 2025 NFL Draft

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [04:37]

Sports enthusiasts are gearing up for the 2025 NFL Draft set to commence that evening. The Tennessee Titans are the frontrunners to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the first overall pick. The draft is scheduled to span three days, promising high-stakes selections and strategic maneuvers from teams aiming to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season.

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Note: The episode also featured promotional messages from Nature Conservancy and Warby Parker. However, these segments were excluded from this summary as per the request to focus solely on content-related sections.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical narratives and developments presented in the April 24, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with an in-depth understanding of the day's foremost news stories.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is cutting short his visit to South Africa. Zelenskyy had barely arrived when Russia fired missiles and drones at Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, and at least eight people were killed and more than 70 injured in Kyiv. Kate Bartlett has more from Pretoria, South Africa.

[Kate Bartlett]

Zelensky said he would still meet with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, but the rest of the program in South Africa, including meeting with civil society leaders, would now be handled by his foreign minister. He said he would return to Ukraine immediately after his meeting with Ramaphosa. Zelenskyy's first trip to South Africa indicates the changing global geopolitical environment. South Africa has taken an officially neutral stance on the Ukraine war, but has been accused of favouring BRICS ally Moscow. The Ukrainian president's visit comes amid renewed attacks from President Trump, who has also had the South African government in his crosshairs this year. For NPR News, I'm Kate Bartlett in Pretoria.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump says he is going to work toward a fair trade deal with China. This comes as the US And China have slapped steep tariffs on each other's exports. It's rattled stock market investors. But NPR's Asma Khalid explains why Trump may be hinting at a change.

[Asma Khalid]

There's really two main reasons for the shift this tariff rate. You know, if they remain in place, they would virtually bring trade between China and the US To a halt. But this is also fundamentally about the stock market and the economic uncertainty that Trump's tariffs have created. Trump initially acknowledged that there could be some sort of short term economic pain, but that it would be worth it. And now you hear his team boasting that they're striking deals, that they're in conversation with some 90 countries.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Asma Khalid reporting. However, Beijing is rejecting any talk of a trade deal between China and the United States. Chinese officials say that any report of trade talks between the countries is false. Officials at the Vatican have kept the doors open all night at St. Peter's Basilica. That was to allow about 50,000 mourners to pass the body of Pope Francis in the first 24 hours of viewing. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Rome.

[Lauren Frayer]

The basilica is still open amid higher than expected turnout. The Vatican closed St. Peter's only for about an hour around 6am local time for cleaning. Among those joining the shuffling, hushed line up the basilica's main aisle is Martine Xabi, who traveled from France just to say goodbye.

[Martine Xabi]

And we know he will see the Father. He will see God.

[Lauren Frayer]

Some waited more than five hours to see the pope's body in a red velvet lined, simple wood coffin. Francis died of a stroke Monday, aged 88. After Saturday's funeral attended by world leaders, the pope will be buried outside the Vatican in a break with tradition at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in an immigrant area. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, Rome.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. President Trump has signed several executive orders on education. One targets college accreditation. This is the process colleges use to receive federal financial aid. The process sets standards for quality. Trump says he'll target this to combat what he says is ideological bias in higher education. Another order requires schools to disclose foreign gifts. Federal law already requires schools to disclose gifts or contracts worth $250,000 or more from foreign entities. A new national youth poll from Harvard University shows potential warning signs for lawmakers who are looking to engage with younger voters. NPR's Elena Moore reports. Just 15% of Americans younger than 30 say the country is headed in the right direction.

[Elena Moore]

The poll, conducted in mid March, surveyed more than 2,000Americans between 18 and 29. It found that less than a third approve of congressional Republicans or President Trump's performances in consistent with past Harvard polling. But the bigger change concerns Democrats in Congress. Just 23% of Americans under 30 approve of their performance, dropping by half since 2020. Young voters have historically voted blue, but in 2024, Democrats lost ground with this group nationwide. It's a deficit some Democratic leaders say must be addressed ahead of the 2026 midterms. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The 2025 NFL Draft starts tonight. The Tennessee Titans are widely expected to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick. The NFL draft will take three days. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Nature Conservancy]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses? At Warby Parker, it's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.