NPR News: 04-25-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – April 25, 2025

Released on April 25, 2025

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International Relations: Macron Condemns Russian Aggression in Ukraine

In the latest developments from Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron has vocally condemned Russia's recent attack on Kyiv, which resulted in the deaths of 12 people and injured dozens more. Speaking from Paris, President Macron emphasized the disconnect between Russia’s rhetoric and its actions.

At [00:35], Macron stated, “I salute American diplomacy,” while firmly distinguishing the roles of the aggressor and victim. He criticized the Trump administration’s stance, asserting, “The Europeans are shocked at how the Trump administration is supporting Russia over Ukraine and tying itself in knots to make it look as if Russia is negotiating in good faith and Ukraine is the difficult partner.” Macron also highlighted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s willingness for peace, noting, “The only question is whether Putin will agree. If he would, the war could stop tomorrow” ([00:35]).

U.S. Trade Policies: Senator McConnell Attacks Trump's Tariffs

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell has publicly criticized President Trump’s extensive tariff policies, arguing that they function as a tax on American consumers. Addressing business leaders in Kentucky at [01:14], McConnell highlighted the state's reliance on international trade, particularly emphasizing the bourbon industry.

He remarked, “We've had bourbon wars in the past, and it's very easy for a foreign country to have a bourbon war because they don't make it and we do 95% of it is made in Kentucky” ([01:31]). McConnell drew parallels to historical trade policies, stating that the current tariffs echo the protectionist trade laws of 1930, which he contends exacerbated the Great Depression (“tariffs also didn't work in 1930...”) ([01:48]).

In related economic moves, President Trump has signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department to accelerate reviews for private deep sea mining ventures, aiming to secure over a billion metric tons of critical minerals ([01:48]).

Gun Policy Debate: NRA's Annual Meeting in Atlanta

The National Rifle Association (NRA) held its annual meeting in Atlanta, where members and supporters advocated for significant changes in gun policy. Reporting from the Georgia World Congress Center at [02:25], Raul Bali detailed the event’s focus on deregulation and state-level policy harmonization.

David Triana of Charleston, South Carolina, advocated for the easing of federal regulations on firearm suppressors, arguing, “Accessory silencer became really popular through Hollywood because they wanted to push that they silence guns, which is obviously false” ([02:46]). Additionally, attendees proposed abolishing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and implementing a reciprocal concealed carry permit system across all states ([02:56]).

Education Policy: Texas Approves Largest School Voucher Program

The Texas State Senate has passed a landmark bill establishing the nation’s largest school voucher program. Announced at [03:12], the legislation permits the use of public funds to finance private education and homeschooling initiatives. Proponents highlight increased educational choice, while critics argue that this will siphon essential resources away from public schools, potentially undermining their quality and accessibility.

Legal Proceedings: Americans in Custody Over Congolese Coup Attempt

Three Americans—Marcel Malenga, Tyler Thompson, and Benjamin Zalman Palloon—appeared in federal court in Salt Lake City on Thursday, facing serious charges related to their involvement in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As reported by Tilda Wilson at [03:49], the defendants pleaded not guilty to counts including conspiracy to bomb public places and conspiracy to murder and kidnap individuals abroad. Malenga, the son of Congolese political exile Christian Malenga who led the coup, claims coercion under threat, stating he was forced to participate “at gunpoint” ([03:49]). The trio was previously under death sentences commuted by the Congolese government and transferred back to U.S. custody. Their trial date remains undecided ([03:49]).

Economic Milestones: California Surpasses Japan’s Economy

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a significant economic milestone for the state, declaring that California’s gross domestic product (GDP) has reached $4.1 trillion, thereby surpassing Japan as the world’s fourth-largest economy. Citing the International Monetary Fund’s 2024 World Economic Outlook released earlier this week, Newsom highlighted California’s robust economic performance ([04:30]). In response to federal tariffs, Newsom has filed a lawsuit, arguing that these tariffs threaten California’s economic progress and undermine its burgeoning status on the global stage ([04:30]).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the April 25, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with an in-depth overview of the latest national and international developments.

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. French President Emmanuel Macron is reacting to the Russian attack that killed 12 people in Kyiv and injured dozens more. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that Macron says Russia should stop lying about about wanting peace.

[Emmanuel Macron]

I salute American diplomacy, said Macron. But let me just recall the facts. There's an aggressor Russia and a victim, Ukraine. The Europeans are shocked at how the Trump administration is supporting Russia over Ukraine and tying itself in knots to make it look as if Russia is negotiating in good faith and Ukraine is the difficult partner. Macron also recalled how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to an unconditional ceasefire weeks ago. The only question is whether Putin will agree, said Macron. If he would, the war could stop tomorrow. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Shea Stevens]

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell is criticizing President Trump's sweeping tariffs, saying they amount to a tax on consumers. McConnell has told a group of business leaders in his home state of Kentucky that the state relies on international trade, not just for crops but also for bourbon sales.

[Mitch McConnell]

We've had bourbon wars in the past, and it's very easy for a foreign country to have a bourbon war because they don't make it and we do 95% of it is made in Kentucky.

[Shea Stevens]

McConnell says tariffs also didn't work in 1930, when a protectionist trade law raised tariffs on thousands of imports and plunged the nation further into depression. President Trump has signed an executive order directing the Commerce Department to expedite reviews for exploring and identifying opportunities for private deep sea mining. Senior aides say more than a billion metric tons of critical minerals could be at stake. Members and supporters of the National Rifle association are in Atlanta for the group's annual meeting. WABE's Raul Bali reports on the gun policy changes attendees want to see in Washington.

[Raul Bali]

Among the more than 800 exhibitors here in one of the massive halls at the Georgia World Congress center are gun manufacturers, accessory makers and specialty companies. David Triana of Charleston, South Carolina, Backs easing federal regulations on the purchase of firearm suppressors, sometimes known as silencers, and that they be treated like any other.

[David Triana]

Accessory silencer became really popular through Hollywood because they wanted to push that they silence guns, which is obviously false.

[Raul Bali]

Other things mentioned include abolishing the ATF and allowing one state's concealed carry permit to be accepted in all other states. The NRA's national meeting runs through Sunday. For NPR News, I'm Raul Bally in Atlanta.

[Shea Stevens]

This is npr. The state Senate in Texas has approved a bill to create the nation's largest school voucher program. The bill would allow the use of public funds to pay for private education and homeschooling. Critics say the program will drain money from public schools. Three Americans convicted of participating in a failed coup attempt in the Democratic Republic of Congo appear at a federal court hearing in Utah on Thursday. As Tilda Wilson reports, the Congolese government commuted the trio's death sentences and released them back to US custody.

[Tilda Wilson]

In a crowded Salt Lake City courtroom, 22 year old Utahns Marcel Malenga and Tyler Thompson, as well as 37 year old Maryland native Benjamin Zalman Palloon, pleaded not guilty to a series of federal charges related to their participation in a failed coup attempt. They face up to life in prison on charges including conspiracy to bomb places of public use and conspiracy to murder and kidnap persons in a foreign country. Marcel Malenga is the son of Congolese political exile Christian Malenga, who orchestrated the coup and was killed in the conflict. His friend Tyler Thompson, claims he was forced to participate in the coup at gunpoint. The date for their trial has not been set yet. For NPR News, I'm Tilda Wilson.

[Shea Stevens]

California Governor Gavin Newsom says his state has a gross domestic product of $4.1 trillion, surpassing Japan as the world's fourth largest economy. Newsom cites the International Monetary Fund's 2024 World Economic out outlook data released this week. He filed a lawsuit last week to challenge the US Tariffs, saying that they are threatening California's progress.

[Nature Conservancy]

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