NPR News Now: April 26, 2025 – 1PM EDT Summary

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on several critical global and domestic issues in its April 26, 2025 episode. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, structured into clear sections for ease of understanding.

Farewell to Pope Francis in Rome

Windsor Johnston opened the episode with a poignant report on the farewell mass for Pope Francis in Rome. The event was marked by a massive turnout, with world leaders, dignitaries, and hundreds of thousands of faithful congregating in St. Peter's Square and the surrounding streets.

• Global Outreach and Inclusivity: The mass was a testament to Pope Francis's extensive global outreach. Johnston notes, “There was huge evidence of his global outreach here,” highlighting the presence of representatives from various world religions and the inclusion of readings in multiple languages beyond the traditional Latin, Italian, and English, such as Arabic, Polish, and Chinese (00:24).

• Pope Francis’s Legacy: Known for his humility and advocacy for the marginalized, Pope Francis left a significant impact worldwide. His numerous foreign trips, including visits to Cuba, the U.S., several African countries, and the Middle East, underscored his commitment to fostering international goodwill.

• Future of the Papacy: Following the funeral, the Pope was laid to rest at a basilica in Rome. Johnston informed listeners that “a conclave to select a new pope will begin in the coming weeks” (01:24), indicating the continuation of the Vatican’s enduring traditions.

U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Progress

The episode shifted focus to international diplomacy, detailing the ongoing talks between the United States and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear program.

• Negotiations in Oman: Windsor Johnston reported on the third round of negotiations in Oman, describing the discussions as “positive and productive” with both sides agreeing to resume talks in Europe (01:24).

• President Trump's Stance: Highlighting the political landscape, the NPR Host mentioned that President Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal, stating, “I think we’re going to make a deal with Iran” (02:03). However, Trump also maintained a firm position, not ruling out military strikes if an agreement fails, a stance rooted in his previous administration’s withdrawal from the Obama-era nuclear agreement.

• Implications for Peaceful Nuclear Energy: The talks aim to ensure that Iran’s nuclear advancements remain strictly for peaceful energy purposes, a crucial point for global security and non-proliferation efforts.

IRS Job Cuts and Tax Filing Season

Domestic affairs were covered with an update on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) amidst significant workforce reductions.

• Tax Filing Statistics: Scott Horsley provided encouraging news despite the IRS's layoffs. More than 140 million people filed their tax returns by the April 15 deadline, with approximately 98% already processed (02:33). This efficiency is slightly ahead of the previous year's pace.

• Refunds and Processing Efficiency: Refunds are being disbursed on schedule, with over 60% of filers expected to receive refunds. The average refund this year exceeds $2,900, and the last-minute filings by about one in six taxpayers did not create any backlog (02:41).

• Impact of Ongoing Job Cuts: Despite the current efficiency, Horsley warned that further job cuts could hinder the IRS’s ability to enforce tax laws, particularly in targeting wealthy individuals who evade taxes. “Many more job cuts are looming at the IRS, though that’s likely to inhibit the agency’s ability to go after wealthy tax cheats” (02:41).

U.S.-Greenland Relations and Geopolitical Tensions

A significant portion of the episode addressed geopolitical tensions surrounding Greenland.

• House Democratic Leader's Statement: Windsor Johnston relayed that House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declared it “unlikely lawmakers will support any invasion of Greenland” (03:21). This statement was made during Jeffries' visit to Denmark, emphasizing the improbability of U.S. support for President Trump's longstanding ambition to annex Greenland.

• President Trump's Position: The summary highlighted that President Trump has consistently advocated for U.S. control over Greenland and has not dismissed the potential use of force to achieve this goal. Scott Horsley elaborated on the importance of maintaining strong U.S.-Denmark relations: “The relationship between our two countries is important, has been strong and must remain that way moving forward” (03:36).

Climate Change Accountability of Fossil Fuel Emitters

Addressing environmental concerns, the episode featured a discussion on a groundbreaking study linking climate change damages to major fossil fuel companies.

• Study Overview: Julia Simon reported on a study published in the journal Nature, which quantified the economic losses attributed to greenhouse gas emissions from companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil. The study estimated that Chevron caused at least $1.98 trillion in economic losses due to extreme heat between 1990 and 2020, while ExxonMobil was responsible for approximately $1.91 trillion (04:11).

• Methodology: The researchers employed thermodynamics, economic models, and emission data from these companies to establish a direct correlation between greenhouse gas outputs and economic damages from heat-related events.

• Industry Response and Legal Implications: Chevron’s lawyer dismissed the findings as “so called attribution science is junk science” (04:11), reflecting the contentious nature of holding fossil fuel companies accountable. As states like Vermont initiate lawsuits against big oil firms, such scientific studies could become pivotal in litigation efforts.

Conclusion

The April 26, 2025 episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a thorough overview of significant current events, ranging from the heartfelt farewell to a globally respected leader, Pope Francis, to intricate diplomatic negotiations affecting international security and environmental responsibility. The discussions on domestic issues, such as IRS efficiencies amid job cuts, and geopolitical tensions over Greenland, further highlighted the diverse range of topics NPR covers to inform and engage its audience.

This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the essential elements of the NPR News Now episode for those who have not listened.