NPR News: 04-28-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message comes from the Nature Conservancy. Working together to create a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature. Explore ways to act during Earth Month and every [e-mail] NPR.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump says there's a tough road ahead as he tries to broker a peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine. NPR's Asma Khalid reports. Trump has talked about meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the weekend at the Vatican.

[Asma Khalid]

Trump said he was disappointed by the recent Russian strikes. He was asked if he trusts Russia's Vladimir Putin. He told reporters he'll let them know in about two weeks. The president referred to two weeks as a sort of timeline. Trump has been eager to end this war and has spoken about Russia maintaining control over the region it annexed years ago called Crimea. Trump was asked if Zelensky is ready to give up Crimea.

[Donald Trump]

Oh, I think so. Yeah, Look, Crimea was 12 years ago. That was President President Obama. They gave it up without a shot being fired.

[Asma Khalid]

The Ukrainian leader has previously expressed his opposition to giving up that territory. Asma Khalid, NPR News, the White House.

[Korva Coleman]

There have been numerous arrests this weekend of migrants whom the US Alleges are in the US Illegally. Separately, court cases are underway as some migrants and lawyers try to stop their deportations. One case involves a family from New Orleans. The mother does not have legal status, but her 2 year old daughter is an American citizen. NPR's Joel Rose reports that during a regular immigration check in, the family was detained and then deported to Honduras.

[Joel Rose]

The judge in this case, who was appointed by President Trump, seems concerned about how this was handled and he has now set a hearing for next month with the goal of dispelling his, quote, strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process, unquote. According to the ACLU, this is one of three U.S. children deported from the U.S. along with mothers without legal status. Last week.

[Korva Coleman]

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed at least 70 people in the last 24 hours. That's according to Gaza health officials. The rising death toll comes as food has run out for most people in Gaza. The UN Says its food supplies are fully depleted due to Israel's total aid blockade, now in its second month. NPR's Anas Baba has more from Gaza City.

[Anas Baba]

The UN World Food Program says it has no more lentils, beans or pasta to supply the charity kitchens that half of Gaza's population depends on. 50 year old Majida Al Sakkani waited more than two hours for some cooked rice for her family yesterday. This kitchen is her only source of food. If this hot kitchen shuts down, we will reach total famine. She says she cannot afford the canned food sold in the markets, where eggs, dairy and meat are no longer available. Israel says the blockade is meant to pressure Hamas to release hostages and lay down arms. Human rights groups and aid agencies say it's collective punishment and illegal under international law. Anas Baba, NPR News, Gaza City.

[Korva Coleman]

This is NPR. Officials in Iran say at least 40 people have been killed after a massive explosion Saturday night at one of Iran's largest shipping ports. More than 800 people are injured. It's unclear what triggered the blast. It also launched a major fire that destroyed surrounding areas. A letter written aboard the Titanic sold for nearly $400,000 at auction over the weekend that far surpassed expectations. As NPR's Rebecca Rossman reports, the sale reflects the lasting fascination with the famous 1912 shipping disaster.

[Rebecca Rossman]

Auctioneers say the letter written by first class passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie, was especially valuable because of one foretelling line. It is a fine ship, gracie wrote the day the Titanic set sail on April 10, but I shall await my journey's end before I pass judgment on her. Just days later, the unsinkable Titanic struck an iceberg and sank off of Newfoundland, killing more than 1500 people. The letter, which has been preserved for over a century, was sold by Henry Aldrich and Son, the same auction house that sold a Titanic violin for more than $1.6 million in 2013. It was purchased by an anonymous bidder. Rebecca Rossman, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Media reports in Japan say a college student has now been rescued from Mount Fuji twice in one week. The student climbed Japan's tallest peak last Tuesday. He had to be rescued after he lost some equipment, but he went back on Saturday to get his cell phone and other personal items. Then he had to be rescued again after falling ill. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Nature Conservancy Representative]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less. And all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.