NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-21-2025 12AM EDT

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

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Having news at your fingertips is great, but sometimes you need an escape. And that's where Shortwave comes in. We're a joy-filled science podcast driven by wonder and curiosity that will get you out of your head and in touch with the world around you. Listen now to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The outrage over the continuing confinement of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was illegally sent to an El Salvador prison by the Trump administration, continues to grow. On Sunday, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is a Democrat, said that detainment is

just one of many issues by the Trump administration that's leading to a major problem for the country. We're getting closer and closer to a constitutional crisis. Why do I think that we're not full blown in one? Because the judges are standing up and doing their job. Because you're starting to see a little inkling of some Republicans. All we need is four in the House, four in the Senate to stand up on things like tariffs. Several Republicans are also now voicing concern over the unwillingness by the administration

to have Garcia return to the US. For the past 10 weeks, the Tesla takedown campaign has brought demonstrators to Tesla facilities across the US and in Europe. Though the nationwide protests are smaller in size compared to some of the others opposing the Trump administration, organizers say momentum isn't slowing,

and Piers Emma Bowman has more. About 100 people showed up to the protests on a sunny Easter Sunday in front of a Tesla service center in Burbank. That's down from its peak turnout of 300 people a month and a half ago. The primary motivator for its members has been Tesla CEO Elon Musk's work to dismantle federal agencies. Organizers want to chip away at the billionaire's power and they say that starts with tarnishing Tesla's brand. Joel Lava, who helps lead

the effort in LA, thinks the boycott movement gets some credit for Tesla's falling stock and drop in US sales. I think it's now a house of cards it's about to tumble so we're gonna keep the pressure on. The campaign says it plans to target Musk's other businesses next, including SpaceX and the social media platform X. Emma Bowman, NPR News, Los Angeles. Pope Francis made a rare public appearance in the Vatican on Easter Sunday. It comes as the 88-year-old continues to recover from a life-threatening illness that had him

hospitalized earlier this year. NPR's Joe Hernandez has more on the story. Francis appeared on the Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica as a blessing he'd written was read aloud by another church official. He also toured through St. Peter's Square in the Pope Mobile, greeting worshipers who'd gathered for Easter Mass. Francis's public appearances have been limited since he was released from the hospital in late March. He'd been hospitalized for five weeks to treat several medical conditions, including a severe respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia. On Sunday, Francis also met briefly with Vice President J.D. Vance,

who had traveled to Italy with his family. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. The Midwest is getting hit once again by severe weather. A slow moving storm this weekend has brought the large hail and tornadoes to parts of Texas and Oklahoma. So, for at least three people have been killed by those storms. Large portions of Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and southern Illinois remain under a flood watch. You're listening to NPR News. Members of the legendary rock group The Who have confirmed that their long-time drummer

Zach Starkey is back in the band days after reports he'd been let go. The British group known for such hits as My Generation said recent communication issues have now been resolved. The BBC's Simon Jones reports. After a very rock and roll bust up, the band are back together. The Who's gigs last month at the Royal Albert Hall in London may have thrilled their fans, but Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey expressed concern about what they called the evolved drumming style of Zack Starkey, who is the son of the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

That led to a spat being played out in public. The band have admitted this blew up very quickly and got too much oxygen. But now they say they back Zack and are moving forward with fire in their bellies. That's Simon Jones reporting. The US women's hockey team has beat defending champion Canada 4 to 3 to win the women's ice hockey world championship. Tessa Janeky scored the winning goal in overtime. Abby Murphy and Taylor Heiss each scored a goal

and had an assist. The cross-border rivals have met in the championship game in all but one tournament. Justin Thomas sank a birdie from just outside 20 feet to beat Andrew Novak in a playoff at the Heritage Golf Tournament on Hilton Head Island Sunday. It's his first win since the PGA Championship in May of 2022. Thomas had finished regulation play with the bogey free 68, but Novak had an eight-foot

birdie putt in regulation to take it to a playoff. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. If buying a home feels out of reach, you might have more options than you think. Willman, NPR News.