NPR News: 04-25-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 25, 2025, 7AM EDT

NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines in a concise five-minute update. In this episode, host Korva Coleman navigates through significant international negotiations, global events, health initiatives, legal developments, technological advancements, and sports highlights. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions and insights.

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US-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine Peace Plan

Korva Coleman opens the episode with an update on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

"White House envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow today for another round of talks focused on Ukraine. He's expected to present a U.S.-backed peace plan."
[00:15]

Charles Maynes provides further context on these negotiations, highlighting that this marks Witkoff's fourth visit to Russia since the Trump administration initiated peace talks.

The proposed peace plan, though details remain undisclosed, is suggested to involve the U.S. recognizing Russia’s control over territories it has seized from Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula annexed in 2014. This stance has been met with strong opposition from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, exacerbating tensions with President Trump.

"Administration officials indicate it involves acknowledging Russia's rightful hold over territories seized from Ukraine by force... Zelenskyy has publicly rejected the idea."
[00:31]

Further complicating the negotiations, Trump expresses frustration over ongoing Russian military actions, including recent strikes on Kyiv that resulted in casualties.

"Yet Trump has also expressed frustration with Russia over its continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, including strikes on the capital Kyiv Thursday that left at least a dozen people dead and scores more injured."
[00:31]

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Pope Francis’ Passing and President Trump’s Visit to Rome

Transitioning to significant global events, Korva Coleman reports on the recent passing of Pope Francis.

"The Vatican says more than 125,000 mourners have passed by the casket of Pope Francis. He's been lying in State in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of tomorrow's papal funeral."
[01:12]

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are traveling to Rome to attend the papal funeral, where Trump anticipates discussions with various officials about tariffs.

"Trump says he expects to get pulled aside there by other officials who want to talk about tariffs, many of them there."
[01:12]

Charles Maynes elaborates on Trump's optimistic outlook regarding these trade discussions.

"They all want to meet about trade. And we are making some great inroads and great deals."
[01:44]

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US-China Trade Talks Dispute

The podcast addresses conflicting reports surrounding trade negotiations between the U.S. and China.

Korva Coleman highlights President Trump's claims of ongoing trade talks with China.

"Trump insists the US is talking with China, but the Chinese government said flatly yesterday any report of any trade talks with the US is false."
[01:51]

This discrepancy points to ongoing tensions and uncertainties in U.S.-China trade relations.

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Restoration of Women’s Health Initiative Funding

Shifting focus to domestic policy, the Trump administration is reversing previous cuts to the Women's Health Initiative.

Korva Coleman introduces this development.

"The Trump administration is restoring funding to a landmark study of women's health."
[01:51]

Rob Stein provides detailed coverage, explaining that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has decided to reinstate funding after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) managed to exceed savings by reducing other research contracts.

"The decision to cut the project had shocked medical researchers because the study has been responsible for a series of landmark discoveries about women's health."
[02:14]

This reinstatement underscores the administration's commitment to supporting critical health research.

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High-Profile Legal Case: Trial of Luigi Mangione

Korva Coleman reports on a significant legal proceeding involving Luigi Mangione.

"The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in New York will appear in federal court today to enter a plea. Luigi Mangione was indicted last week on federal murder and other charges."
[02:49]

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty upon conviction.

"US Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for a conviction."
[02:49]

This case continues to draw national attention due to its high-profile nature and the severity of the charges.

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FEMA Assistance Denied to Kentucky Amid Flooding

Natural disasters remain a concern as Korva Coleman reports on FEMA's response to flooding in Kentucky.

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied assistance to Kentucky. The state is seeking help for several counties badly affected by flooding in February."
[02:49]

Additionally, Kentucky officials are awaiting FEMA’s decision regarding recent flooding incidents this month, compounding the state’s challenges in managing disaster relief.

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Expansion of Electric Vehicle Charging Networks

Advancements in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure are spotlighted as Kia gains access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.

Korva Coleman introduces the story, followed by Camila Domonosky’s in-depth explanation.

"Drivers of electric Kia vehicles can now power up using Tesla chargers. These used to be exclusive to Tesla."
[02:49]

Camila Domonosky details that Tesla's network, renowned for its reliability and abundance, is now accessible to Kia owners. Existing Kia vehicles will require an adapter to utilize these chargers, while future models will feature built-in Tesla charging ports.

"Future vehicles will come with a Tesla charging port built in. Kia says that getting access to superchargers nearly doubles the number of DC Fast chargers, the kind you might use on a road trip that Kia drivers can use."
[03:41]

This development significantly enhances the convenience and range for Kia EV drivers, promoting broader adoption of electric vehicles.

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NFL Draft Highlights: Titans and Jaguars Make Key Selections

Concluding the episode, Korva Coleman covers the latest moves in the NFL Draft.

"Round two of the NFL draft continues tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With the first overall pick last night, the Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward of Miami. The Cleveland Browns were due to pick second until the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up, as heard here on the NFL Network."
[04:17]

Camila Domonosky adds that with the second pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Travis Hunter, a versatile wide receiver and defensive back from Colorado.

"With the second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Travis Hunter, wide receiver, defensive back from Colorado."
[04:33]

There is ongoing speculation about whether Hunter will continue to play both positions at the professional level, as he did in college.

"It's unclear if Hunter will play both sides of the ball in the NFL as he did in college."
[04:47]

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and comprehensive updates, ensuring listeners stay informed on critical developments across various sectors.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

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 Korova Coleman. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow today for another round of talks focused on Ukraine. He's expected to present a U S backed peace plan. President Trump is insisting the US Is closing in on a deal to end the war. NPR's Charles mainnes has more from Moscow.

[Charles Maynes]

This is Witkoff's fourth visit to Russia since the Trump administration began negotiations aimed at ending the war. And while details of the US Peace plan are not publicly known, administration officials indicate it involves acknowledging Russia's rightful hold over territories seized from Ukraine by force. That includes the Crimean Peninsula, illegally annexed by Russia back in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly rejected the idea, angering President Trump in the process. Yet Trump has also expressed frustration with Russia over its continued attacks on Ukrainian cities, including strikes on the capital Kyiv Thursday that left at least a dozen people dead and scores more injured. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Korva Coleman]

This morning, Time magazine has published an interview with President Trump. In it, Trump says that Crimea will stay with Russia. The Vatican says more than 125,000 mourners have passed by the casket of Pope Francis. He's been lying in State in St. Peter's Basilica ahead of tomorrow's papal funeral. Scores of nations are sending representatives. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are leaving this morning for Rome. Trump says he expects to get pulled aside there by other officials who want to talk about tariffs, many of them there.

[Charles Maynes]

And they all want to meet. They want to meet about trade. And we are making some great inroads and great deals.

[Korva Coleman]

Trump claims dozens of nations are moving to open trade talks with the US but it's not clear if China is among them. Trump insists the US Is talking with China, but the Chinese government said flatly yesterday any report of any trade talks with the US Is false. The Trump administration is restoring funding to a landmark study of women's health. Nbs Rob Stein has the story.

[Rob Stein]

The Department of Health and Human Services says the administration is reversing a decision to slash funding for the Women's Health Initiative, which has been following tens of thousands of women for decades. An HHS spokesman says the decision was made because the National Institutes of Health, which funds the study, was able to exceed savings by cutting other research contracts. The decision to cut the project had shocked medical researchers because the study has been responsible for a series of landmark discoveries about women's health. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in New York will appear in federal court today to enter a plea. Luigi Mangione was indicted last week on federal murder and other charges. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for a conviction. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied assistance to Kentucky. The state is seeking help for several counties badly affected by flooding in February. Kentucky officials are also waiting to hear if they'll get FEMA help from flooding that happened just this month. Drivers of electric Kia vehicles can now power up using Tesla charges. These used to be exclusive to Tesla. NPR's Camilla Dominosky reports. There is an abundance of Tesla chargers.

[Camila Domonosky]

Lots of companies are building electric vehicle chargers, but Tesla has a commanding lead with the most chargers and the best reliability ratings. Every major EV maker in the US has embraced Tesla's tech. Kia is the latest to actually get access to Tesla's network. After some delays, owners of existing vehicles will need an adapter. Future vehicles will come with a Tesla charging port built in. Kia says that getting access to superchargers nearly doubles the number of DC Fast chargers, the kind you might use on a road trip that Kia drivers can use. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Round two of the NFL draft continues tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With the first overall pick last night, the Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward of Miami. The Cleveland Browns were due to pick second until the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up, as heard here on the NFL Network.

[Camila Domonosky]

And with the second pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Travis Hunter, wide receiver, defensive back from Colorado.

[Korva Coleman]

It's unclear if Hunter will play both sides of the ball in the NFL as he did in college. You're listening to npr.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

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