NPR News: 04-25-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of April 25, 2025, 9AM EDT Episode

NPR's "NPR News Now" episode released on April 25, 2025, provides a comprehensive update on the latest global and national news. Hosted by Korva Coleman, the episode covers critical events ranging from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to environmental policies and federal disaster aid issues. Below is a detailed summary structured into clear sections, incorporating notable quotes with timestamps for a thorough understanding.

---

1. Ukraine Observes Day of Mourning Amid Russian Missile Strikes

Host Introduction: Korva Coleman initiates the episode by reporting on Ukraine's observance of a day of mourning following recent Russian drone and missile attacks in Kyiv.

Key Developments:

• Massive Missile Attack: At least 12 people were killed, and dozens injured due to the strikes.
• Potential North Korean Involvement: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that preliminary analysis indicates the ballistic missiles used might have been manufactured in North Korea.

Notable Insights:

• Public Sentiment: Olena Krakowska, a Kyiv resident, expressed deep frustration, stating, “President Trump is sacrificing Ukraine for a quick deal that accommodates Russia. Ukraine cannot give up its land, she says even though it's occupied, it's still ours" (00:37).
• Zelensky's Stance: Zelensky has maintained that Ukrainian territory, even when occupied, remains Ukrainian and refuses to recognize it as Russian.

Quote:

• Olena Krakowska emphasizes the national sentiment: “Ukraine cannot give up its land, she says even though it's occupied, it's still ours” (00:37).

---

2. President Trump's Attendance at Pope Francis' Funeral and Potential Talks with Zelensky

Trip to Rome:

• Event: President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral.
• Potential Meetings: There is speculation that Trump may meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky during this trip, with the possibility of them engaging in discussions regarding the Ukraine conflict.

Trump's Recent Statements:

• In an interview with Time magazine published on the same morning, Trump declared that “the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea will stay with Russia” (01:21).

Russian Response:

• Sergei Lavrov's Position: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated openness to a U.S.-backed peace deal, though specifics remain undisclosed. Lavrov mentioned, “We are ready to reach a deal. But there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned” (01:54).

Quote:

• An unnamed official from Russia stated, “There's no magic bullet to get around it. If it's denied, then the president is saying that that money will not be available to help our families rebuild” (03:57), though this particular quote relates to FEMA assistance, it underscores the complexities in negotiations.

---

3. Trump's Executive Order on Deep Seafloor Mining Sparks Environmental Concerns

Policy Change:

• Executive Order: President Trump has signed an order aimed at facilitating easier access for mining companies to extract minerals from the ocean floor.
• Targeted Resources: The focus is on obtaining metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper, essential for technologies such as batteries.

Environmental Response:

• Concerns Raised: Scientists and environmental groups criticize the order, warning that deep-sea mining could harm essential marine ecosystems. The extraction process involves large machinery and generates sediment plumes that may suffocate marine life, potentially disrupting the fishing industry.

Expert Commentary:

• Julia Simon of NPR Reports: “Underwater mining involves giant machines and creates plumes of sediment that could suffocate marine life that can have serious impacts and disrupt the fishing industry” (02:34).

Quote:

• Julia Simon highlights the environmental risks: “Underwater mining involves giant machines and creates plumes of sediment that could suffocate marine life” (02:34).

---

4. FEMA Denials for Flooding Assistance in Kentucky and Other States

Kentucky Flooding Crisis:

• Recent Events: Kentucky experienced significant flooding in February and again in April, causing extensive damage across six counties.
• FEMA Response: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied public assistance to two counties and individual assistance to six counties affected by the recent floods.

State Government Actions:

• Governor Beshear's Statement: Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the necessity of federal aid for recovery, stating, “The state has to have federal assistance to be able to help its people recover” (03:45).
• Response to Denial: An unnamed official remarked, “There's no magic bullet to get around it. If it's denied, then the president is saying that that money will not be available to help our families rebuild” (03:57). Governor Beshear plans to appeal the denials.

Broader FEMA Denials:

• National Impact: FEMA has also denied federal funds to Washington state for storm recovery, Arkansas for March storms, and North Carolina for Hurricane Helene recovery, despite states meeting eligibility criteria.

Quote:

• Stan Ingold reports on the situation: “Governor Beshear says the state has to have federal assistance to be able to help its people recover” (03:45).

---

5. Natural Disasters and Emergency Responses

Ecuador Earthquake:

• Event: A strong earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Ecuador.
• Immediate Impact: Initial reports indicate no damage or injuries, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Quote:

• Korva Coleman reports, “There are no initial reports of damage injuries” (03:12).

---

Conclusion: This episode of "NPR News Now" delivered a succinct yet comprehensive overview of pressing issues, from geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and environmental policy shifts to federal disaster aid challenges. Through expert reports and direct quotes, listeners are kept informed on significant developments affecting both national and international landscapes.

---

For those who wish to delve deeper into these topics, accessing the full episode transcript and related NPR articles is recommended.

Transcript

[Sponsor Voice]

This message comes from HomeTap. With a home equity investment from Hometap, you get access to your home equity in cash without monthly payments. Use it to pay off debt, pad your emergency fund and more. See if you pre qualify [e-mail] live.

[Korva Coleman]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Ukraine is observing a day of mourning today after Russian drone and missile strikes killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more in the capital kyiv this week. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports from Kyiv. Ukraine's president says the missiles used in the attack may have come from North Korea.

[Joanna Kakisis]

In Kyiv, there's anger at Russia and the US Olena Krakowska recalls running outside in her bathrobe just before a missile destroyed her home. She says President Trump is sacrificing Ukraine for a quick deal that accommodates Russia. Ukraine cannot give up its land, she says even though it's occupied, it's still ours. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to recognize Russian occupied land as Russian. In a post on social media, he said preliminary analysis on a ballistic missile that hit Kyiv indicates it was manufactured in North Korea. North Korea has been supplying both weapons and soldiers in Russia's war on Ukraine. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump is going to Rome today to attend Pope Francis funeral that's set for tomorrow. Trump may meet Ukrainian President Zelensky there and it's possible they may speak. Trump spoke about the war in Ukraine with Time magazine in an interview published this morning, Trump says that the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea will stay with Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia is open to a U S backed peace deal. The details of this plan have not been made public, but Lavrov suggested some work remains to be done.

[Unnamed Official]

Well, the president of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction. The statement by the president mentions a deal and we are ready to reach a deal. But there are still some specific points, elements of this deal which need to be fine tuned and we are busy with this exact process.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke to CBS's Face the Nation. President Trump has signed an executive order. As NPR's Julia Simon reports, this is aimed at making it easier for mining companies to dig for minerals on the ocean floor.

[Julia Simon]

Deep on the ocean floor are potato sized nodules that contain metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper. These metals can be used in technologies like batteries. The executive order instructs federal departments to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing permits for mining on the seafloor. Scientists and environmental groups are already condemning the order, arguing that opening the deep seabed for mining could damage important marine ecosystems. Underwater mining involves giant machines and creates plumes of sediment that could suffocate marine life that can have serious impacts on and disrupt the fishing industry. Julia Simon, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The U.S. geological Survey says there's been a strong earthquake off the Pacific coast of Ecuador. There are no initial reports of damage injuries. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied public assistance to two Kentucky counties and individual assistance for six Kentucky counties affected by flooding last February. From member station weku, Stan Ingold reports. This comes as Kentucky is still waiting to find out if it will get FEMA funding for more recent flooding.

[Stan Ingold]

Kentucky is still waiting to hear from Washington about whether or not federal aid will be provided for victims of flooding the hit much of the state this month. Governor Andy Beshear says the state has to have federal assistance to be able to help its people recover.

[Unnamed Official]

There's no magic bullet to get around it. If it's denied, then the president is saying that that money will not be available to help our families rebuild.

[Stan Ingold]

He says he'll appeal the denials. Kentucky has faced two major flooding events in the past three months. Governor Beshear requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump on April 11. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond.

[Korva Coleman]

Kentucky FEMA is denying federal funds to other states as well. Last week, the disaster agency rejected funds to Washington state to help it recover from a damaging storm last year. Washington's governor says FEMA gave no reason, even though the state met all the criteria. Arkansas is appealing a FEMA denial for funds to deal with storms that pummeled that state in March. And female FEMA turned away North Carolina when state officials asked for more help to recover from Hurricane Helene. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Sponsor Voice]

This message is brought to you by NPR sponsor Shopify. It's 2025, a new year with new opportunities. The best time to start your new business is right now. Go to shopify.com nprallovercase to sign up for a $1 per month trial period today.