NPR News Now: April 26, 2025, 9 AM EDT
NPR's "NPR News Now" delivered a comprehensive update on the latest global and national events in its April 26, 2025, 9 AM EDT episode. Hosted by Gael Snyder, the five-minute broadcast covered a range of topics from international diplomacy and education policies to public health developments and the arts. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
Global Diplomacy: Trump and Zelensky Meet in Vatican City
[00:50] Deepa Shivaram reported on the significant meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vatican City. This encounter marked their first meeting since February, where prior discussions had ended contentiously with criticisms directed at Zelensky. Trump, leveraging his social media platform Truth Social, emphasized the importance of high-level negotiations to conclude the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He stated, “The two sides should meet at high levels and finish off a deal,” highlighting his role in facilitating potential peace talks.
Additionally, President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently engaged in discussions with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and is currently in Oman to negotiate Iran’s nuclear program, indicating ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to address complex international issues.
U.S. Education and Immigration: Restoration of International Student Records
[01:15] Adrian Florido addressed recent changes in the Trump administration's policies affecting international students. The administration had previously deleted records for hundreds, potentially thousands, of international students from the SEVIS database—a critical system for tracking student visa holders. These deletions posed significant risks to the students' legal status in the U.S., potentially forcing many to leave the country.
In a positive development, [01:39] the Justice Department announced plans to restore these records pending the creation of a formal policy on record removals. Florido quoted a student’s lawyer, who described the restoration as “a sigh of relief,” although legal battles to safeguard international students from deportation are expected to persist.
Tax Season Amid IRS Job Cuts
[02:17] Scott Horsley provided an update on the IRS's handling of the current tax filing season amidst large-scale job cuts within the agency. Contrary to concerns, the IRS has processed slightly more tax returns compared to the previous year. As of the week of the April 15 deadline, over [02:32] 140 million returns were filed, with approximately 98% already processed, surpassing last year's processing pace.
Refunds are being issued on schedule, with more than 60% of filers receiving an average refund of over $2,900. Although around one in six taxpayers filed in the final week, this does not appear to have caused significant backlogs. However, ongoing and additional job cuts within the IRS could hinder future efforts to address tax evasion among wealthier individuals.
Public Health: Ending the Ebola Outbreak in Uganda
[03:12] Emmanuel Ogunza reported from Nairobi on Uganda's declaration that its latest Ebola outbreak has concluded after 42 days without new cases, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The outbreak, which resulted in at least two deaths, including a four-year-old child, marks the ninth Ebola incident in Kampala since 2000. Ogunza noted the WHO has placed neighboring countries under strict surveillance due to the virus's highly infectious and often fatal nature. Importantly, this strain lacks an approved vaccine, underscoring the challenges in controlling its spread.
Judicial Affairs: Wisconsin Governor Accuses Trump Administration
[04:11] In domestic news, Gael Snyder relayed that Wisconsin's Democratic Governor Tony Evers has accused the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the judiciary. Evers made these remarks following the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, a Wisconsin judge accused of facilitating the evasion of federal immigration authorities. Judge Dugan was released pending charges, which include concealing an individual to prevent their discovery and arrest.
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded by asserting that the arrest sends a “strong message” that lawmakers involved in such activities will be prosecuted. This development highlights ongoing tensions between state officials and the federal administration regarding judicial integrity and immigration enforcement.
Arts and Culture: AFI Lifetime Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola
Concluding the episode, Gael Snyder announced that the American Film Institute (AFI) will honor director Francis Ford Coppola with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Coppola, celebrated for his contributions to cinema, will become the 50th recipient of this prestigious honor during a ceremony at the Dolby Theater. This recognition underscores Coppola’s enduring impact on the film industry and his legacy as a visionary director.
This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with succinct yet comprehensive coverage of pivotal events shaping both national and international landscapes. From high-stakes diplomatic meetings and shifts in immigration policies to public health triumphs and celebratory acknowledgments in the arts, the broadcast offered valuable insights into the current affairs of April 2025.