NPR News: 04-26-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 26, 2025, 6AM EDT

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments in its April 26, 2025, episode. Hosted by NPR, the five-minute broadcast covered significant events ranging from Pope Francis' funeral to geopolitical negotiations involving the United States. Below is a detailed summary of the episode, structured into clear sections with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Funeral of Pope Francis

[00:16 - 01:10]

The episode opens with Giles Snyder reporting on the monumental funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. The Pope, aged 8—*Note: Likely a transcript error, intended to indicate age 8 years from a significant date or serving term—*was the first non-European pope in centuries, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church.

Key Highlights:

• Attendance: Approximately 200,000 attendees filled St. Peter's Square, including numerous foreign leaders.
• Notable Attendees: Former President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the service, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
• Atmosphere: Lauren Frayer described a somber yet dignified atmosphere as the square fell silent ten minutes before the funeral began. Church bells resonated throughout Rome, underscoring the event's solemnity.

Notable Quote:

“There are about 200,000 people here,” Frayer reported at [00:39], highlighting the vast turnout for the funeral.

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2. Trump and Zelensky's Diplomatic Engagement

[01:10 - 02:16]

Following the funeral details, Giles Snyder transitions to international relations, focusing on a brief meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Key Highlights:

• Trump's Diplomacy: The meeting occurred shortly before the funeral service, signaling a strategic moment for diplomatic discussions.
• Peace Efforts: Trump has been actively seeking to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine, urging high-level talks between Ukraine and Russia.
• Potential Deal: According to Franco Ordonez, Trump claims that a significant portion of the major points towards peace has been agreed upon.

Notable Quote:

Trump stated on social media, “They are very close to a deal and the two sides should now meet at very high levels to finish it off.” ([01:27])

Implications:

• The Trump administration's proposal includes Ukraine potentially ceding territories like Crimea, a demand Ukraine has thus far rejected.
• The negotiations underscore ongoing tensions and the complexity of achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.

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3. Deportation Ban Appeal in Colorado

[02:16 - 03:10]

The focus shifts to domestic policy as Giles Snyder reports on the Trump administration's legal maneuvers concerning immigration enforcement in Colorado.

Key Highlights:

• Federal Ruling: A federal judge invalidated the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act, a statute from 1798, halting the deportation of approximately 100 individuals from Colorado to El Salvador.
• Administration's Response: The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal to the 10th Circuit Court, defending the use of this wartime measure as an executive privilege.
• Potential Legal Battle: This appeal sets the stage for a prolonged legal conflict over the Alien Enemies Act's application in modern immigration enforcement.

Notable Quote:

“They are seeking a reversal from the higher circuit court, setting up a potentially longer and more escalated battle on the Alien Enemies act in the state's backyard,” explained Allison Sherry at [02:27].

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4. Accusations Against the Judiciary in Wisconsin

[03:10 - 03:52]

Shifting to state politics, Giles Snyder covers the tension between Wisconsin's Democratic Governor and the Trump administration.

Key Highlights:

• Governor Tony Evers' Stance: Evers accuses the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the judiciary following the arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of aiding an individual in evading federal immigration authorities.
• Justice Department's Position: Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized a strong commitment to immigration enforcement, asserting that “no matter who you are, if you're harboring anyone who is in this country illegally, [...] the Justice Department will come after you and prosecute you.” ([03:30])

Implications:

• The incident reflects broader conflicts between state and federal authorities over immigration policies.
• It highlights the prioritization of immigration enforcement within the current administration.

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5. Disaster Declaration for Kentucky Floods

[03:52 - 04:49]

The final segment addresses natural disasters and federal assistance through the lens of the recent flooding in Kentucky.

Key Highlights:

• Disaster Declaration: President Trump has approved individual assistance for residents in 13 of the most affected counties.
• Pending Assistance: Public assistance for 33 counties and hazard mitigation efforts for the entire state are still awaiting approval.
• Ongoing Impact: This flooding marks the second major event in three months, resulting in seven fatalities and significant displacement.
• Previous Denials: Kentucky had previously been denied federal assistance for prior flood events, making this approval a crucial support for affected communities.

Notable Quote:

Stan Ingold reports, “The governor's request also included public assistance for 33 counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state. Those portions of the request are still pending.” ([04:04])

Implications:

• The approval of individual assistance is a critical step in providing relief to those affected by the floods.
• The administration's response will likely influence public perception of its handling of natural disasters and support for impacted regions.

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Conclusion

The April 26, 2025, episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a range of pressing issues, from international diplomacy and immigration enforcement to state-level political conflicts and disaster relief efforts. Through succinct reporting and inclusion of authoritative quotes, the episode provided listeners with a clear and comprehensive overview of the current events shaping both national and global landscapes.

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This summary is intended to provide an overview of the NPR News Now episode for those who have not listened to the broadcast. All quotes and timestamps correspond to the original transcript for accuracy.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

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[Giles Snyder]

News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Huge crowds are packed into St. Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope Francis. Francis died Monday at age 8. He was the first non European pope in centuries. NPR's Lauren Frayer is at the Vatican, where dozens of foreign leaders are among the crowd, including President Trump.

[Lauren Frayer]

About 10 minutes before the funeral began, St. Peter's Square went silent. There are about 200,000 people here. Church bells rang out across the city and in St. Peter's Basilica here, President Trump and first lady Melania, who's wearing a black mantilla head covering, was escorted to their seats just to the right of the alt after them. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was escorted in alone in a black suit without a tie, and applause erupted through the crowd.

[Giles Snyder]

The White House is confirming that Trump and Zelensky met briefly just before the funeral service began. That meeting came after President Trump called on Ukraine and Russia to hold high level talks on ending the War. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports at Trump says they're close to reaching a deal.

[Franco Ordonez]

President Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin in an effort to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. After the meeting, Trump took to social media where he announced that most of the major points had been agreed to. He wrote, quote, they are very close to a deal and the two sides should now meet at very high levels to finish it off. Trump went on to say that it was time to stop the bloodshed and that the US Will be wherever it's needed to help facilitate the end of this cruel and senseless war. The Trump administration has suggested that Ukraine would be expected to give up large portions of land, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, an idea that Ukraine has so far rejected. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

To Colorado now, where the Trump administration is appealing a ban on the deportation of roughly 100 Venezuelans being detained there. Colorado Public Radio's Allison Sherry has more.

[Allison Sherry]

Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled that the administration use of the Alien Enemies act, enacted in 1798, was specious and ordered that roughly 100 people in Colorado being considered for deportation to El Salvador stay put for now. In an emergency appeal to the 10th Circuit Court, the Trump administration is arguing the wartime measure, which hasn't been used Since World War II is an executive power privilege. They are seeking a reversal from the higher circuit court, setting up a potentially longer and more escalated battle on the Alien Enemies act in the state's backyard. For NPR News, I'm Alison Sherry in Denver.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR News. Wisconsin's Democratic governor is accusing the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the judiciary. Governor Tony Evers remarks follow yesterday's arrest of a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man to evade federal immigration authorities. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

It's an escalation for sure, and the Trump administration's clash with the judiciary. It also sends a message about the priority that immigration enforcement is for the White House. Attorney General Pam Bondi was on Fox News. She said the Justice Department is sending what she called a strong message with this arrest. She said, no matter who you are, if you're harboring anyone who is in this country illegally, she says the Justice Department will come after you and prosecute you.

[Giles Snyder]

President Trump has approved part of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's request for a major disaster declaration from the April flooding that hit much of Kentucky. Stan Ingold of member station WEKU has more.

[Stan Ingold]

The president approved individual assistance for Kentuckians in 13 of the counties affected by the most recent flooding. The governor's request also included public assistance for 33 counties and hazard mitigation for the entire state. Those portions of the request are still pending. The governor will request that additional counties be added to the declaration through an amendment once ongoing assessments are complete. Seven Kentuckians died as a result of the flooding earlier this month. This is the second major flooding event in Kentucky in three months. Kentucky was recently denied federal public assistance in two counties, as well as federal individual assistance for families in six other counties affected by February's flood event. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

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