NPR News: 04-25-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 25, 2025

Released on April 25, 2025, NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments. This summary captures all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode aired at 2 AM EDT.

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International Affairs: NATO’s Stance on Russia and Ukraine Peace Talks

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the enduring threat Russia poses to alliance members during his discussions in Washington on Thursday regarding peace in Ukraine. Speaking at [00:18], Rutte stated, “Russia poses a long-term threat to members of the alliance.”

Following his meeting with President Trump, Rutte conveyed optimism about the US’s commitment to the peace process. He mentioned, “I don't see the US walking away from the peace process, but cannot predict how Vladimir Putin will respond” ([00:42]). An unnamed analyst added perspective, reflecting on past interactions with Putin: “I worked with him for four years between 2010 and 2014. I stopped trying to read his mind. We'll see. But there is something on the table now, I think where the Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court now” ([00:42]).

U.S. Domestic Policy: Justice Department’s Grant Cuts Impact Nonprofits

The U.S. Department of Justice announced significant cuts to hundreds of grants awarded to community-based nonprofit organizations, including those that support crime victims. Attorney General Pam Bondi detailed the initiative, stating at [01:24], “The department has begun cutting what she says are millions of dollars in wasteful grants.” Over 350 grants have been targeted, notably affecting the nonpartisan National Center for Victims of Crime. This includes the Victim Connect hotline, which provides essential support services for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other crimes.

Renee Williams, CEO of the National Center for Victims of Crime, expressed her concerns at [01:48]: “So many victims come to us and say, you were there when nobody else was and I had nowhere else to turn. And so the decision to cut this is completely baffling.” Despite assurances from Bondi that affected organizations have 30 days to appeal the cuts, Williams highlighted the immediate impact: “The Victim Connect hotline, for instance, will shut down Friday” ([01:57]).

Trump Administration Updates: Women's Health and Legal Aid for Separated Families

The Trump administration is reversing previous budget cuts by restoring funding for a women’s health study. Initially, the National Institutes of Health had trimmed funds due to not complying with an executive order aimed at reducing spending.

In related policy shifts, the ACLU is taking legal action against the federal government to prevent the cessation of legal aid services for families separated at the southern border during the first Trump administration. Marc Bettencourt of NPR reports that a 2023 settlement with the Biden administration had promised protections, including legal assistance for asylum applications and work permits. However, the Justice Department informed the legal service provider that it would not renew its contract once it expires at the end of the month ([02:08]).

Marianbele Salkaid, a lawyer with Alot Rolado, emphasized the urgency: “A lot of them have paroles that are ending now, so they are really desperate to receive services” ([02:56]). Despite the DOJ’s statement that it does not intend to let legal services lapse, specifics on how this will be achieved remain unclear ([03:02]).

Legal Developments: Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Voting Executive Orders

A federal judge in Washington has issued a ruling blocking two aspects of President Trump's executive order concerning voting and elections ([03:14]). The first blocked directive required the Independent Election Assistance Commission to mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration. The second prevented government agencies from verifying citizenship before distributing voter registration forms to individuals seeking public assistance. This decision marks a significant setback for the executive order aimed at tightening voting regulations.

Sports: NFL Draft Highlights Travis Hunter as the First Two-Way Player in Decades

In a historic move, the NFL draft saw Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner known for his versatility on both offense and defense during his college career, selected second overall. Becky Sullivan reported at [04:01], “It wasn't a surprise that Travis Hunter was picked second overall. Colorado standout is a first-round caliber player as both a wide receiver and a cornerback.” The Cleveland Browns originally held the second pick but traded it to the Jacksonville Jaguars, recognizing Hunter's potential as a "potentially generational player" who expressed a desire to play on both sides of the ball.

The Tennessee Titans secured the first overall pick by selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward as anticipated, while Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, unexpectedly fell out of the first round entirely. Sullivan noted that the draft will continue with subsequent rounds on Friday and Saturday ([04:01]).

Global News: Pope Francis Lying in State at the Vatican

Thousands have flocked to St. Peter's Basilica to pay their final respects to Pope Francis, who is lying in state. Despite late-night closures, the Vatican remained open overnight to accommodate the immense number of mourners. Shae Stevens reported at [04:38], “The lines of mourners waiting to pay their last respects have continued to file past his coffin.” The Vatican estimates that over 90,000 people have already paid their respects, highlighting the profound impact of Pope Francis’s legacy worldwide.

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This summary provides an in-depth look at the pivotal stories covered in the April 25, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, ensuring listeners stay informed on critical issues shaping the world today.

Transcript

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[Shae Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says Russia poses a long term threat to members of the alliance. He was in Washington Thursday for talks on peace in Ukraine. Ukraine. After meeting with President Trump, Ruda told reporters he doesn't see the US Walking away from the peace process, but cannot predict how Vladimir Putin will respond.

[Unnamed Analyst]

I worked with him for four years between 2010 and 2014. I stopped trying to read his mind. We'll see. But there is something on the table now, I think where the Ukrainians are really playing ball, and I think the ball is clearly in the Russian court. Now.

[Shae Stevens]

Ukraine's president has rejected a US Proposal that would require it to give up land already seized by Russia and to stay out of NATO. The Justice Department has cut hundreds of grants to community based nonprofit groups, including some that aid crime victims. The cuts were worked out in collaboration with a unit known as the Department of government efficiency, or DOGE. More from NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Pam Bondi]

Attorney General Pam Bondi says the department has begun cutting what she says are millions of dollars in wasteful grants. More than 350 grants have been targeted so far, including three with the nonpartisan national center for Victims of Crime. That includes a grant that funds its Victim Connect hotline, which offers support services for victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and other crimes. Renee Williams is the center's CEO.

[Renee Williams]

So many victims come to us and say, you were there when nobody else was and I had nowhere else to turn. And so the decision to cut this is completely baffling.

[Pam Bondi]

Each affected organization has 30 days to appeal the cuts, but Williams says the impact is immediate. The Victim Connect hotline, for instance, will shut down Friday. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Shae Stevens]

The Trump administration is restoring funding for a women's health study. The money was cut because the National Institutes of Health, which funds the study, had not met an executive order to reduce spending. The ACLU is asking a federal court to prevent the government from cutting off legal aid to families separated at the southern border during the first Trump administration. Mark Bentoncourt with the California Newsroom has more.

[Marc Bettencourt]

A 2023 settlement agreement with the Biden administration promised protections to separated families, including legal guidance to help them apply for asylum, work permits and the like. But the Justice Department has told the group that provides those legal services that it won't renew its contract, which expires at the end of the month. Lawyer Marianbele Salkaid of Alot Rolado says they've helped 140 people under the settlement and more are waiting.

[Marianbele Salkaid]

A lot of them have paroles that are ending now, so they are really desperate to receive services.

[Marc Bettencourt]

The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment. According to the ACLU's court filing, the government says it does not intend to let legal services lapse, but hasn't specified how. For NPR News, I'm Marc Bettencourt.

[Shae Stevens]

This is npr. A federal judge in Washington is blocking two parts of President Trump's executive order on voting and elections. The order instructed the Independent Election Assistance Commission to require proof of citizenship before a person can register to vote. A second order required government agencies to verify citizenship before giving voter registration forms to people seeking public assistance. The NFL could have its first true two way player in decades. Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who played on both offense and defense for his college team, was picked second in the first round of the NFL draft. Details from NPR's Becky Sullivan.

[Becky Sullivan]

It wasn't a surprise that Travis Hunter was picked second overall. Colorado standout is a first round caliber player as both a wide receiver and a cornerback. The surprise is who picked him. The Cleveland Browns originally had that second pick, but they traded with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who couldn't pass up on the potentially generational player who says he wants to play on both sides of the ball in the NFL. The Tennessee Titans had the very first pick and selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward as expected, while Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the son of former NFL great Deion Sanders, fell out of the first round entirely. The draft continues Friday night with rounds two and three, and the final four rounds will be held Saturday. Becky Sullivan, in Peer News after so.

[Shae Stevens]

Many people lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican kept the doors open overnight. The lines of mourners waiting to pay their last respects have continued to file past his coffin. The Vatican estimates more than 90,000 people have paid their respects.

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