Up First from NPR: April 25, 2025

NPR's "Up First" delivers the three biggest stories of the day with in-depth reporting and analysis. In this episode released on April 25, 2025, hosts Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez delve into critical global and domestic issues: the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict and peace negotiations, the Trump administration's immigration policies affecting noncitizens, and the devastating civil war in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

1. Ukraine-Russia Peace Negotiations

Overview: The episode opens with an update on the fraught peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The Trump administration is pressing Ukraine to accept a peace deal favorable to the Kremlin, insisting that concessions are necessary for a swift resolution. Ukraine, however, maintains that a ceasefire must be established before any peace agreement can be considered.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Stance on Peace: President Trump has publicly urged for a quick peace deal, emphasizing that Russia is already making significant concessions by not fully occupying Ukrainian territories. “Russia is making a pretty big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine,” Trump stated (02:22).

• Ukrainian Resistance: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains steadfast, refusing to cede territories occupied by Russian forces despite Trump’s demands. “Ukrainians live here,” insisted a Ukrainian citizen, emphasizing the illegitimacy of Russian occupation (03:24).

• Impact of Recent Attacks: A recent missile strike by Russia on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least twelve people, heightening tensions and skepticism among Ukrainians about the efficacy of U.S. support. Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media for the attack but reiterated his push for Ukraine to accept concessions (02:22).

• Local Perspectives: In Kyiv, residents like Maria Rumyantsova expressed frustration, linking the escalation of Russian attacks to the Trump administration's approach to peace talks. “Russian attacks on Ukraine seem to have escalated after Trump started accommodating Russia in peace talks,” she shared (02:51).

• Zelenskyy’s Position: Despite external pressures, Zelenskyy seeks peace but insists on security guarantees from the U.S. to prevent future invasions. He has agreed to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire brokered by the U.S., which Russia has yet to accept (03:46).

Insights: The segment underscores the delicate balance between achieving peace and ensuring Ukraine's sovereignty. Trump's approach, perceived as accommodative towards Russia, has sparked concern among Ukrainians who fear their hard-won territories might be compromised for a quick resolution.

2. Trump Administration’s Immigration Policies: Noncitizens and Due Process

Overview: The second story examines the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign for mass deportations, highlighting the administration's stance on due process for noncitizens. The administration argues that due process rights, traditionally afforded to U.S. citizens, should not extend to noncitizens facing deportation.

Key Points:

• Mass Deportation Efforts: The Trump administration is actively pursuing the deportation of noncitizens, moving swiftly to arrest, detain, and remove individuals from the country. “Officials are moving quickly to arrest, detain and remove people from the country,” Michelle Martin reports (05:32).

• Administration's Position: High-ranking officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, have declared that due process protections are exclusive to U.S. citizens. Miller referred to the judicial process as a “fake legal process” when discussed by Vice President J.D. Vance (06:02).

• Constitutional Concerns: Critics argue that the Fifth Amendment guarantees due process for all persons, regardless of citizenship status. Muzaffar Chishti from the Migration Policy Institute warns that undermining due process for noncitizens sets a dangerous precedent (06:50).

• Risk of Errors: Ashley Tabadour, a former immigration judge, highlighted the risks of wrongful deportations, emphasizing that “errors that can cost someone's life” are too significant to ignore (08:12).

• Notable Cases: The deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly sent to El Salvador despite an immigration judge’s decision against his deportation, exemplifies the potential for grave errors under the administration’s policies (08:15).

• Policy Changes: The administration has increased the number of individuals removable without a court hearing and terminated contracts providing legal services to minors without legal status. Additionally, over 100 court staff, including judges, have been dismissed or resigned, further eroding due process protections (08:35).

Insights: This segment highlights a contentious shift in U.S. immigration policy, raising profound legal and ethical questions about the right to due process. The administration's efforts to expedite deportations contrast sharply with constitutional mandates, potentially undermining foundational legal protections.

3. Civil War in Sudan: Destruction of Khartoum

Overview: The final story focuses on the ongoing civil war in Sudan, specifically the systematic destruction of the capital city, Khartoum. NPR correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu provides a harrowing account of the devastation and humanitarian crisis resulting from two years of intense conflict.

Key Points:

• State of Khartoum: Once a vibrant city with over six million inhabitants, Khartoum has been decimated by two years of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Emmanuel Akinwotu describes the city as “utterly devastating and surreal” (10:12).

• Destruction and Looting: The RSF’s occupation left Khartoum almost entirely empty, with significant destruction to infrastructure including the presidential palace, hospitals, schools, museums, and even the airport. The RSF were also involved in widespread looting, removing thousands of ancient artifacts and stripping buildings for materials like copper (10:12).

• Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has precipitated the worst famine in decades, according to the United Nations. Hospitals like Al Buluk Hospital are overwhelmed, seeing patient numbers skyrocket from 4,000 to 30,000-36,000 per month. Dr. Ahmed Hologi reported the strain on medical facilities, highlighting the dire state of healthcare (12:28).

• Impact on Civilians: Residents like bakery owner Yusuf Aldi recount the RSF’s looting and appropriation of their businesses, leaving properties destroyed and communities in disarray (11:56).

• Shift in Fighting: While major combat in Khartoum has ceased, fighting has intensified in the outskirts and the western region of Darfur, a historically volatile area with ethnic tensions and past genocidal actions by the RSF (12:45).

• Humanitarian Efforts: Efforts to rebuild and clear debris are ongoing, but the city remains largely uninhabitable with shortages of power, water, and essential services. Teams are still finding unexploded ordnance and human remains, making recovery efforts perilous (11:21).

Insights: The civil war in Sudan has not only obliterated the infrastructure of Khartoum but has also plunged the nation into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The conflict’s legacy of destruction and displacement underscores the urgent need for international intervention and support to stabilize the region and rebuild affected communities.

Conclusion

This episode of Up First provides a comprehensive overview of critical issues impacting both global and domestic spheres. From the fragile peace negotiations in Ukraine and the contentious U.S. immigration policies to the catastrophic war in Sudan, NPR delivers in-depth analysis and firsthand accounts that inform and engage listeners. Through notable quotes and detailed reporting, the episode paints a vivid picture of the current state of these pressing matters, offering valuable insights for those seeking to understand the complexities of today's news landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• “Russia is making a pretty big concession by not occupying all of Ukraine.” – President Trump (02:22)

• “Russian attacks on Ukraine seem to have escalated after Trump started accommodating Russia in peace talks.” – Maria Rumyantsova (02:51)

• “Ukrainians live here.” – Ukrainian Citizen (03:24)

• “Errors that can cost someone's life.” – Michelle Martin (08:12)

• “He really, like, had the best interest of the people as a whole, Catholic and everyone and the planet.” – Kelly Gaffigan (13:36)

Up First continues to be a vital source of news, providing listeners with concise yet thorough coverage of the day's most important stories. Subscribe and listen daily to stay informed.