NPR News Now Summary: April 28, 2025, 7AM EDT
Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
1. President Trump's Efforts to Broker Peace in Ukraine
Timestamp: [00:14]
President Donald Trump is actively working to negotiate a peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Speaking from Washington, Trump acknowledged the complexities of the situation, stating, "there's a tough road ahead" as he seeks to mediate the conflict. Plans are underway for Trump to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this weekend at the Vatican.
Timestamp: [00:29]
When pressed about his trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump remained non-committal, responding, "I'll let them know in about two weeks." He emphasized his desire to resolve the war and expressed an interest in Russia maintaining control over Crimea, a region it annexed years ago.
Timestamp: [00:57]
Addressing Crimea directly, Trump commented, "Oh, I think so. Yeah, Look, Crimea was 12 years ago. That was President Obama. They gave it up without a shot being fired." This statement contrasts with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's firm stance against relinquishing the territory.
Timestamp: [01:04]
Asma Khalid from NPR clarified that Zelenskyy has previously opposed giving up Crimea, highlighting the ongoing tension and complexity surrounding the region's status.
2. US Migrant Deportations and Legal Challenges
Timestamp: [01:13]
The United States has witnessed a series of arrests involving migrants alleged to be in the country illegally. Concurrently, several court cases are emerging as migrants and their legal representatives challenge deportations. A notable case involves a family from New Orleans, where the mother lacks legal status, but her 2-year-old daughter is an American citizen.
Timestamp: [01:39]
NPR's Joel Rose reports that during a routine immigration check, the family was detained and deported to Honduras. The presiding judge, appointed by President Trump, expressed serious concerns about the handling of the case, stating, "strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process." This case is among three recent instances where US children were deported alongside non-citizen mothers, according to the ACLU.
3. Israeli Airstrikes and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Timestamp: [02:03]
Gaza is enduring severe hardships as Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the death of at least 70 people within the last 24 hours, based on reports from Gaza health officials. The escalating death toll coincides with a dire shortage of food supplies.
Timestamp: [02:26]
Anas Baba from NPR details the humanitarian crisis, noting that the UN World Food Program has exhausted its stocks of lentils, beans, and pasta, which are critical for the charity kitchens serving half of Gaza's population. Majida Al Sakkani, a 50-year-old resident, expressed her fears: "If this hot kitchen shuts down, we will reach total famine." She added that she cannot afford the limited canned food available in markets, where essential items like eggs, dairy, and meat are scarce.
Timestamp: [02:26]
Israel justifies the blockade as a strategy to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages and disarming. However, human rights organizations and aid agencies argue that the blockade constitutes collective punishment and violates international law.
4. Massive Explosion at Iran's Shipping Port
Timestamp: [03:12]
A devastating explosion occurred at one of Iran's largest shipping ports on Saturday night, resulting in at least 40 fatalities and more than 800 injuries. The exact cause of the blast remains unknown, but it ignited a significant fire that obliterated surrounding areas.
5. Titanic Letter Sells for Nearly $400,000 at Auction
Timestamp: [03:48]
A historic letter written aboard the Titanic has fetched nearly $400,000 at an auction, far exceeding initial expectations. The letter, penned by first-class passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie, is renowned for containing a prophetic line: "It is a fine ship," Gracie wrote on April 10, "but I shall await my journey's end before I pass judgment on her." Tragically, just days later, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank, claiming over 1,500 lives.
The letter was sold by Henry Aldrich and Son, the same auction house that previously sold a Titanic violin for over $1.6 million in 2013. The purchaser remains anonymous.
6. Japanese College Student Rescued Twice from Mount Fuji in One Week
Timestamp: [04:30]
In Japan, a college student has required rescue from Mount Fuji twice within a single week. The first incident occurred last Tuesday when he lost some equipment during his climb. Determined to retrieve his cell phone and personal items, he returned on Saturday but fell ill, necessitating a second rescue. Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest peak, continues to challenge climbers with its demanding conditions.
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the April 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, highlighting the key news stories, significant quotes with timestamps, and insights from various NPR correspondents.