Summary4 min read

NPR News Now: April 28, 2025, 9 PM EDT

Host: NPR
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Duration: 5 Minutes

Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire Talks

In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, questions are mounting over Russia's refusal to initiate an immediate ceasefire. Instead, Russia plans to wait until May 8, coinciding with a military parade commemorating the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency for peace, stating, “We value human lives, not parades” (00:35). Zelensky has been advocating for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States last month. He insists that peace negotiations can only commence once a durable ceasefire is in place, arguing that temporary halts in fighting would merely delay the inevitable resumption of hostilities.

U.S. Tariff Adjustments and Legal Challenges

President Donald Trump has announced a strategic reduction in tariffs imposed on automakers, a move aimed at providing relief without dismantling existing trade protections entirely. An administration official, speaking anonymously, revealed that formal details would be publicized ahead of Trump's upcoming rally in Michigan.

The modification is designed to prevent the stacking of tariffs, allowing importers of foreign auto parts to receive reimbursements over the next two years. This approach intends to support domestic manufacturers while giving foreign companies time to invest in local production facilities.

Concurrently, legal battles are intensifying as attorneys for Jenner & Block, a prominent law firm, seek to nullify Trump’s executive order targeting them. The order included punitive actions such as suspending security clearances and restricting access to government buildings for the firm’s employees.

Ryan Lucas of NPR reported, “Attorneys representing the law firm of Jenner and Block say Trump's executive order violates the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments” (02:11). They argue that the order is retaliatory, aimed at punishing the firm for representing dissenting clients. In court, Jenner & Block's counsel described the order as “reeks of unconstitutionality,” advocating for its permanent blockage. Meanwhile, the Justice Department maintains that the executive order falls within the president’s legal authority.

European Power Outage and Super Bowl Celebrations

A significant blackout has disrupted daily life across Spain and Portugal, with millions affected as the power gradually returns. Officials have yet to determine the exact cause, though a strong oscillation in the European power grid is suspected. The outage has disrupted train services and forced critical facilities like airports and hospitals to rely on backup power.

In the United States, President Trump hosted the Philadelphia Eagles at the White House following their Super Bowl victory. However, notable absence marked the event as star quarterback Jalen Hurts cited scheduling conflicts for missing the celebration. This mirrors a similar event in 2018 when players also opted out of attending. Conversely, running back Ja'Marr Barkley attended, sharing on social media, “I respect the office” (03:59), even taking a ride aboard Air Force One.

Second Trial of Memphis Police Officers in Tyree Nichols Case

The legal saga surrounding the death of Tyree Nichols continues as three former Memphis police officers face a second trial on charges related to their involvement in his fatal beating.

Katie Reardon from WKNO reports that the trial’s opening statements commenced today for the second-degree murder case. The officers, who are Black themselves, had previously been convicted of federal crimes, including witness tampering and civil rights violations. Bodycam and surveillance footage show the officers restraining and assaulting Nichols during a traffic stop in January 2023, leading to his death three days later in the hospital.

Two of the officers have entered guilty pleas to federal charges and plan to plead guilty in state court as well. The state trial is projected to last two weeks, highlighting ongoing tensions and the pursuit of accountability within law enforcement.

Crude Oil Prices Impacted by U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Crude oil futures saw a decline today, influenced by persistent uncertainties surrounding the U.S.-China trade dispute. Prices fell by 97 cents per barrel, closing the session at $62.05 a barrel. This downturn reflects investor anxiety over the potential escalation of trade conflicts, which could disrupt global markets and supply chains. Concurrently, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a modest increase of 114 points, indicating a complex and fluctuating economic landscape.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on April 29, 2025. For a more comprehensive understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.

Timestamp Reference

00:35: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement
02:11: Ryan Lucas on Trump’s executive order against Jenner & Block
03:59: Ja'Marr Barkley’s social media comment

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Transcript9 lines

[00:00]
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[00:18]
Jack Spear
News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Ukraine is questioning why Russia won't start a ceasefire immediately instead of waiting until May 8, when Moscow holds a military parade to mark the Soviet Union's victory, victory over the Nazis. And Bryosh Ranakakis reports from Kyiv.
[00:36]
Joanna Caguesas
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a halt in Russian military activities for 72 hours starting on March 8. He said he expects Ukraine to do the same. In his nightly video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has not wanted even a second of this war and is pushing for Russia to accept an immediate unconditional 30 day ceasefire brokered by the US last month. We value human lives, not parades, zelensky said. That's why we believe there's no reason to wait. The firing should not stop for a few days, only for the killing to start again. Zelensky says peace talks can only begin once a durable ceasefire is in place. Joanna Caguesas, NPR News, Kyiv.
[01:23]
Jack Spear
President Trump has decided to give automakers a break on some of his tariffs. That's according to an administration official speaking on condition of anonymity. Formal announcements expected tomorrow ahead of Trump's rally in Michigan. As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, the move will ensure different types of tariffs charged by the administration don't stack up on top of other tariffs he's already imposed. Importers of foreign auto parts will be able to get some reimbursement for the next two years. The break will both reward domestic manufacturers while providing a Runway to those needing time to invest in domestic plants. Attorneys for a prominent law firm are urging a federal judge to strike down President Trump's executive order against the firm. The order punitive measures include suspending security clearances for the firm employees and barring personnel from access to government buildings. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas.
[02:11]
Ryan Lucas
Attorneys representing the law firm of Jenner and Block say Trump's executive order violates the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments. They say it is designed to punish the firm for representing clients in causes the president doesn't like. At a hearing in federal court, an attorney for the firm said the order reeks of unconstitutionality and urged the court to permanently block it in its entirety. The Justice Department, in contrast, argues that the order falls under the legal discretion of the executive branch. Jenner is one of four firms targeted for punishment by Trump that are suing to challenge the executive orders. Other firms have cut deals with Trump to avoid possible retribution. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
[02:49]
Jack Spear
The power is gradually coming back after a blackout that brought much of Spain and Portugal to a standstill. The cause still not clear, though officials have referred to a strong oscillation in the European power grid as possibly being behind the outage. Actual cause has not been determined. The outage has affected millions, halting train services and forcing airports, hospitals and emergency services to operate on backup power. The dow is up 114 points. This is NPR. President Trump welcomed the super bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles to the White House today, but several players, most notably star quarterback Jalen Hurts, apparently had something else to do. Hurts citing scheduling conflicts as the reason for his absence, though a similar celebration in 2018 was canceled during Trump's first term when it became clear players would not be showing up. One person who did show up and who even hitched a ride aboard Air Force One, Eagles star running back so Khan Barkley. On social media, he noted he, quote, respects the office. Three former Memphis police officers are on trial for a second time for their involvement in the beating death of black motorist Tyree Nichols. Katie Reardon of member station WKNO reports opening statements began today for the second degree murder case.
[04:00]
Katie Reardon
The former officers, who are also black, were additionally accused of federal crimes during a trial last fall. Two were found guilty of witness tampering and one was also convicted of violating Nichols civil rights by using excessive force and ignoring his medical needs. The men, along with two other colleagues, were captured on body worn cameras and surveillance footage either restraining, kicking or hitting Nichols following a traffic stop in January of 2023. He died in the hospital three days later. Two of the officers pleaded guilty to federal charges and intend to also plead guilty in state court. The state trial is expected to last two weeks. For NPR News, I'm Katie Reard.
[04:38]
Jack Spear
Crude oil futures prices moved lower today amid ongoing worries and uncertainty over the outcome of a U S. China trade fight. Oil was down 97 cents a barrel to end the session at $62.05 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:56]
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