NPR News: 04-30-2025 11PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 30, 2025 – May 1, 2025

Hosted by NPR

---

1. U.S. and Ukraine Forge Economic Partnership Amid Ongoing Conflict

In a pivotal development, Ukraine has agreed to grant the United States access to its substantial mineral deposits and other natural resources. This agreement, as reported by Jackie Northam at [00:35], marks the culmination of months of intensive negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine, negotiations that at times appeared on the brink of collapse.

The deal is framed as an economic partnership, whereby the U.S. secures a share of Ukraine's rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential for various industries, including technology and defense. For Kyiv, this agreement signifies the United States' sustained economic and military backing as Ukraine continues its struggle against Russian aggression.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, stating at [00:35], "The deal signals to Russia that the US is committed to a peace process centered on a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine over the long term." This statement underscores the U.S.'s dedication to supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and its broader implications for regional stability.

The agreement was finalized shortly after former President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, indicating ongoing high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at reinforcing the alliance between the two nations.

---

2. Federal Appeals Court Blocks DOGE Access to Social Security Data

Stephen Fowler reports on a significant legal decision regarding data access within government agencies. At [01:19], Shea Stevens introduces the story, detailing how a federal appeals court has upheld a preliminary injunction that prevents the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing sensitive Social Security data.

In mid-April, a federal judge issued this injunction, effectively barring DOGE staffers at the Social Security Administration from handling classified information. The government's subsequent appeal sought to lift this ban during the appellate review process. However, in a decisive 9 to 6 vote, the 4th Circuit’s majority agreed to maintain the preliminary injunction, as reported by Stephen Fowler at [01:30].

This ruling ensures that DOGE will continue to be restricted from accessing Social Security's sensitive data while the legal proceedings unfold, highlighting the judiciary's role in overseeing and limiting governmental data access in certain contexts.

---

3. Release of Detained Columbia University Student Activist

In a notable case concerning academic freedom and activism, Mohsen Madali, a Columbia University student detained for his pro-Palestinian activities, has been released. At [01:57], Shea Stevens reports that Madali was arrested earlier in the month during a citizenship hearing in Vermont.

The Trump administration had sought to delay Madali's release by an additional seven days, but a federal judge denied this request, leading to his immediate release. This decision emphasizes the legal system's stance on activism and the rights of individuals engaged in political expression, regardless of the administration's differing viewpoints.

---

4. Los Angeles County Settles for Record $4 Billion in Sexual Assault Case

One of the most impactful stories of the day involves Los Angeles County's approval of what lawyers describe as the largest legal settlement for sexual assault in U.S. history. Jordan Running from The LAist covers this story extensively at [01:57].

The $4 billion settlement arises from a lawsuit filed in 2021, initially representing two women who alleged they were sexually abused as children in county foster care. The lawsuit rapidly expanded to include approximately 7,000 individuals who reported similar abuses within Los Angeles County facilities.

Mary Alice Ashbrook, a survivor participating in the settlement, shared her heartfelt testimony at [02:49]: "Well, I'm grateful that we were finally heard. This happened to me when I was 8 and 9. I was the kid that just sat under the tree and stayed quiet because I knew the ramifications if I didn't."

Ashbrook, now 65, expressed hope that the unprecedented settlement would lead to meaningful reforms aimed at protecting children in the county's care. She emphasized the necessity of systemic changes to prevent future instances of abuse, reflecting the settlement's broader implications for child welfare policies.

---

5. Apple Found to Violate Antitrust Injunction in Epic Games Case

At [03:12], Shea Stevens reports on a significant legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, the creators of the popular game Fortnite. A federal judge has determined that Apple willfully violated a 2021 court injunction related to an antitrust case filed by Epic Games.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple failed to comply with the injunction's requirements to reduce barriers associated with its exclusive payment system for in-app digital transactions. Additionally, Apple was mandated to allow developers to display links to alternative payment options, a stipulation that the company has been resisting.

This ruling intensifies the ongoing scrutiny of Apple's App Store practices, highlighting the judiciary's role in regulating major tech companies to ensure fair competition and developer rights within digital marketplaces.

---

6. Hollywood Gears Up for a Franchise-Filled Summer Box Office

The summer movie season is set to be a blockbuster period, and NPR's Netta Ulaby provides an in-depth analysis at [03:57]. Nearly 50 films are slated for theatrical release this summer, with the majority being installments of established franchises. Titles include sequels and spin-offs from franchises such as Jurassic Park, John Wick, Mission Impossible, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Superman, and the Smurfs.

However, the lineup isn't exclusively composed of franchise-based films. The movie "F1," which centers on Formula One race car drivers, stands out as one of the few major summer releases not derived from existing intellectual property. An unnamed analyst commented at [04:25], "There's 20 other drivers still out on that track," indicating the film's focus on real-life racing personalities and events.

Despite the franchise-heavy selection, box office analysts remain optimistic. Previous successes, including the "Minecraft" movie and the horror film "Sinners," have set a positive tone, suggesting that audiences are eager to return to theaters in person. Netta Ulaby concludes that this enthusiasm could drive strong box office revenues, contributing significantly to the film industry's annual earnings.

---

7. Wall Street Closes Mixed as U.S. Futures Edge Higher

In financial news, Shea Stevens provides an update on the stock market's performance at [04:40]. Wall Street closed the day with mixed results: the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 141 points, while the Nasdaq Composite declined by 14 points.

Looking ahead, U.S. futures are trading higher in after-hours markets, bolstered by mostly positive performances in the Asia-Pacific region. However, Shanghai's market indices experienced a slight downturn, with [04:40] indicating a marginal decrease. This mixed closure reflects ongoing investor uncertainty and varying economic signals impacting market sentiment.

---

About NPR News Now

NPR News Now delivers the latest news in a concise five-minute format, updated hourly to keep listeners informed on current events both in the United States and around the world.

---

Transcript

[Dana Farber]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Thanks to Dana Farber's foundational work, protein degradation can target cancer causing proteins and destroy them right inside the cell. Learn [e-mail] everywhere.

[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Ukraine has agreed to give the US Access to its vast mineral deposits and other natural resources. As NPR's Jackie Northam reports, the agreement will help ensure continued U.S. support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

[Jackie Northam]

The deal caps months of negotiations between the US And Ukraine, which at times look very close to falling apart. The agreement is billed as an economic partnership, giving the US A piece of Ukraine's rare earth and other critical minerals. For Kyiv, it's seen as a sign that the US Will continue its economic and military support while the war with Russia grinds on. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant says the deal signals to Russia that the US Is committed to a peace process centered on a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine over the long term. The deal comes just days after President Trump met one on one with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. Jackie Northam, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

A federal appeals court has voted to continue blocking DOGE access to Social Security data while the matter plays out in court. NPR Stephen Fowler has more on the filing.

[Stephen Fowler]

Mid April, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction that essentially blocked Department of Government Efficiency staffers at the Social Security Administration from accessing sensitive data. The government appealed and asked for that ban to be lifted while the appeal is considered. But now a majority of the 4th Circuit's judges has agreed to have the whole bench consider the motion to stay. And in a 9 to 6 vote, the judges voted to keep the preliminary injunction in place. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Shea Stevens]

The Columbia University student detained for pro Palestinian activism has been released. Mohsen Madali was arrested earlier this month when he appeared for a citizenship hearing in Vermont. A federal judge denied the Trump administration's request to delay Modali's release for another seven days. Los Angeles county has approved what lawyers say is the largest legal settlement for sexual assault in US History. As Jordan Running of the Laist reports, the move comes after the state temporarily waived its statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse.

[Jordan Running]

The $4 billion settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in 2021 with claims from two women who say they were abused as children in county foster care. The lawsuit grew to include 7,000 people who say they were sexually assaulted as children while at Los Angeles county facilities. Mary Alice Ashbrook is one of the survivors involved in the settlement.

[Mary Alice Ashbrook]

Well, I'm grateful that we were finally heard. This happened to me when I was 8 and 9. I was the kid that just sat under the tree and stayed quiet because I knew the ramifications if I didn't.

[Jordan Running]

Ashbrook, now 65, says she hopes the settlement will lead to reforms to protect children in the county's care. For NPR News, I'm Jordan Running in Pasadena, California.

[Shea Stevens]

You're listening to NPR. A federal judge says Apple has willfully violated a 2021 court injunction in an antitrust case that was brough by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. U.S. district Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ordered the iPhone maker to lower the barriers to its exclusive payment system for in app digital transactions. Apple was also supposed to allow developers to display links to alternatives. Hollywood is getting ready for a new round of summer movies, and there's a lot at stake for the film industry. As NPR's Netta Uluby reports, the summer season beginning this weekend usually accounts for around half of the year's box Office revenue.

[Netta Uluby]

Nearly 50 movies are coming out in theaters this summer, and it feels like nearly all of them are part of massive franchises.

[Shea Stevens]

Maybe we should make it quick.

[Netta Uluby]

From Jurassic park to a John Wick spinoff, from Mission Impossible to two Marvel movies, from Superman to the Smurfs. One of the few major summer movies with blood blockbuster buzz that is not drawing from existing intellectual property is the film F1 about Formula One race car drivers.

[Unnamed Analyst]

There's 20 other drivers still out on that track.

[Netta Uluby]

Box office analysts are hopeful that the springtime success of a Minecraft movie and the horror film Sinners have primed audiences to return in person to theaters. Neta Ulaby, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

On Wall street, stocks close mix today with the Dow gaining 141 points. The Nasdaq lost 14. U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading when Asia Pacific market shares are mostly higher but down a fraction in Shanghai. This is NPR News.

[Dana Farber]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.