NPR News: 04-27-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 27, 2025, 2 PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston

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Vancouver Vehicle Attack: Condolences and Investigation

Timestamp: 00:18 - 01:05

The episode opens with tragic news from Vancouver, where a vehicle attack during a crowded street festival resulted in the death of at least 11 individuals and left dozens injured. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families. At 00:32, Carney stated:

"Families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare. I would like to offer my deepest condolences and my wishes for strength and compassion in this tragic time."

Vancouver's acting police chief, Steve Rye, emphasized the profound impact of the incident at 01:05:

"It is impossible to overstate how many lives have been impacted forever by this lone individual."

Authorities are actively investigating the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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U.S. Border Closure Threat Over Mexican Livestock

Timestamp: 01:12 - 02:16

In a significant development affecting international trade, the White House is contemplating closing the southern border to certain Mexican livestock imports. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins addressed the issue, citing an outbreak of the New World screwworm parasite, which poses a severe threat to animal health. At 01:34, Rawlins explained:

"We will restrict the importation of certain Mexican livestock because of an outbreak of what's called the New World screwworm."

The proposed border closure is scheduled to begin on Wednesday unless Mexico takes decisive action to control the parasite and removes "burdensome custom duties on US Equipment." This move disrupts Mexico's status as the largest cattle supplier to the U.S., intensifying tensions in the ongoing global trade war initiated by President Trump.

NPR's Luke Garrett reported on the administration's stance, highlighting Trump's expansive trade agenda:

"Trump has 100 countries with trade deals knocking on the door."

Furthermore, Rollins mentioned that Trump is prepared to support American farmers amidst these trade challenges. At 02:09, Rollins added:

"Trump is prepared to bail farmers out amid the ongoing trade war."

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Pope Francis' Tomb Opens Amid Conclave Preparations

Timestamp: 02:16 - 03:15

In a momentous event for the Catholic Church, the tomb of Pope Francis has been opened to the public at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome. Following the Pope's funeral on April 26, pilgrims began arriving early this morning. NPR's Ereaventri detailed the Vatican's observance of consecutive days of mourning.

Sarah Ventri reported at 02:41:

"As the funeral mass for Pope Francis ended, mourners filed out of St. Peter's Square. But soon faithful will gather again to watch for the famed white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel."

The conclave to elect a new pope is set to begin within 15 to 20 days after the Pope's death, allowing time for the nine-day mourning period. During this time, cardinals will attend masses at the Vatican, after which they will be sequestered to deliberate and choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.

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U.S. Efforts Toward Peace in Ukraine

Timestamp: 03:15 - 04:09

Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the United States' role in seeking peace for the ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," Rubio emphasized the necessity of a bilateral agreement wherein both Russia and Ukraine make concessions. At 03:35, Rubio asserted:

"There is no other country, there is no other institution or organization on the earth that can bring these two sides together. No one else is talking to both."

Rubio highlighted the unique position of the U.S. in mediating the conflict, especially following President Trump's recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican during Pope Francis' funeral. Details of their discussions remain scarce, but the engagement underscores the U.S.'s commitment to facilitating peace.

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Miraculous Rescue of Lost Dachshund in Australia

Timestamp: 03:43 - 04:53

In a heartwarming story, a miniature dachshund named Valerie was successfully rescued after being lost in the Australian wilderness for approximately eighteen months. Jared Karan, director of Kangala Wildlife Rescue, shared insights into the extensive rescue mission:

"She's got like an inch clearance under her belly." (04:13)

Valerie went missing during a camping trip on Kangaroo Island off South Australia's coast in November 2023. Co-director Lisa Karan explained the harsh conditions that endangered Valerie:

"Harsh winters, which we didn't want to happen again. Summers, you know, not being able to find water." (04:30)

The rescue effort involved hundreds of volunteer hours, with strategies including setting up cameras, providing food, and using pieces of her owner's T-shirt to lure her into a trap. After an arduous search spanning 529 days, Valerie was found alive, bringing immense joy to her owners who expressed that they are "over the moon to get her back." Jared Karan described Valerie as:

"Said to resemble a sausage, Valerie is tiny but mighty." (04:09)

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Closing Notes

The episode concludes with a brief advertisement segment from NPR, ensuring listeners are aware of ongoing news developments. The stories covered today range from international tragedies and diplomatic efforts to miraculous animal rescues, showcasing the breadth of news that NPR provides to keep its audience informed and engaged.

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Stay tuned to NPR for more updates on these and other stories shaping our world today.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

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[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is extending his condolences after a vehicle attack in Vancouver last night.

[Mark Carney]

Families lost a sister, a brother, a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. Those families are living every family's nightmare. I would like to offer my deepest condolences and my wishes for strength and compassion in this tragic time.

[Windsor Johnston]

Authorities say a man drove a car into a crowded street festival, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens of others. Steve Rye is the Vancouver acting police chief. He's she says the suspect was arrested shortly after the attack.

[Steve Rye]

It is impossible to overstate how many lives have been impacted forever by this lone individual.

[Windsor Johnston]

Canadian officials say an investigation is underway to determine how and why the attack took place. The White House is threatening to close the southern border to some Mexican livestock. NPR's Luke Garrett reports the administration is concerned about an outbreak of a parasitic fly that can be deadly to animals.

[Brooke Rawlins]

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins said in a letter Saturday that she will restrict the importation of certain Mexican livestock because of an outbreak of what's called the New World screwworm. The US Border closure would start Wednesday unless Mexico limits the outbreak of the parasite and lifts, quote, burdensome custom duties on US Equipment. Before the screwworm outbreak, Mexico was the largest supplier of cattle to the U.S. this comes amid a global trade war launched by President Trump. Rollins told CNN that Trump has 100 countries with trade deals knocking on the door.

[Luke Garrett]

My understanding is we should have several this week that are coming forward that are very, very close.

[Brooke Rawlins]

Rollins also said Trump is prepared to bail farmers out amid the ongoing trade war. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

In Rome, the tomb of Pope Francis is now open to the public. The pontiff was laid to rest yesterday at St. Mary Major Basilica. NPR's Ereaventri reports. Pilgrims began arriving there this morning as the Vatican is observ consecutive days of mourning.

[Sarah Ventri]

As the funeral mass for Pope Francis ended, mourners filed out of St. Peter's Square. But soon faithful will gather again to watch for the famed white smoke emerging from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The start date of the conclave has not yet been announced, but it must happen 15 to 20 days after the death of the pope, which includes the nine days of mourning or the Novemb cardinals are attending masses at the Vatican during these nine days. But once conclave begins, they'll be sequestered until a new pope is chosen. Sarah Ventri, NPR News, Rome.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is npr. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the only solution for the war in Ukraine is an agreement where Russia and Ukraine both give up something. Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Rubio says the United States can help bring peace to the region.

[Marco Rubio]

There is no other country, there is no other institution or organization on the earth that can bring these two sides together. No one else is talking to both.

[Windsor Johnston]

Sides but US President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican yesterday. They were both there to attend the funeral service for Pope Francis. The White House has offered few details of their discussion. A miniature dachshund has emerged alive after about a year and a half lost in the Australian wilderness. NPR's Amy Held reports. A massive effort went into the dog's rescue.

[Jared Karan]

Said to resemble a sausage, Valerie is tiny but mighty.

[Brooke Rawlins]

She's got like an inch clearance under her belly.

[Jared Karan]

Kangala Wildlife Rescue director Jared Karan helped lead the rescue effort on Kangaroo island off South Australia's coast. It was November 2023 when Valerie went missing on a camping trip there. Conditions got bad, says co director Lisa Karan.

[Steve Rye]

Harsh winters, which we didn't want to happen again. Summers, you know, not being able to find water.

[Jared Karan]

During hundreds volunteer hours, rescuers set up cameras, food and bits of her owner's T shirt to lure Valerie into a trap. It finally worked. Her owners, after 529 days, said to be over the moon to get her back. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News in Washington.

[Advertiser]

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