NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-21-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

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Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever You Get Your Podcast. 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's 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 U.S. The Israeli military says the killing of 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza by its soldiers was due to what they call professional failures. The military issued a report on its investigation of the last month's incident this weekend, and Piers Hadil Al-Shalchi reports. An Israeli military investigation said poor night visibility led a deputy battalion commander to assess that a convoy of ambulances belonged to Hamas and to shoot at it.

It said that the commander would be fired due to his decisions. At first, the military said that the medical vehicles approached the troops suspiciously, but video released later showed the marked rescue vehicles had headlights on and flashing red emergency lights. The Israeli troops buried the medic's bodies in a mass grave and bulldozed over the ambulances. The military investigation said the decision to crush the ambulances was wrong, but that there was no evidence to support claims of quote, execution. Hadeel Alshalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Pope Francis greeted thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, but he

did not lead Mass as he continues to recover from pneumonia. Megan Williams reports. From the balcony above a flower filled St. Peter's Square, a frail Pope Francis greeted thousands. Cari fratelli e sorelle, buona Pasqua. Though too weak to lead Mass or deliver his urbi et Urbi, the traditional address to Rome and to the world, it called for a Gaza ceasefire, food for the starving, the release of Israeli hostages and peace in Ukraine, Sudan and the Congo.

After five weeks in hospital, the 88-year-old pope is still recovering. But Vatican observer Christopher White says, He's always tried to be close to the people and even as a very sick and recovering pope, he's doing that today. After the service, Francis greeted crowds from his pope mobile. For NPR News, I'm Megan Williams at the Vatican. Parts of Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Southern Illinois remain under a flood watch this evening. A major storm system moving through the region has brought hail and heavy rain.

In Moore, Oklahoma, police say high water stranded two cars Saturday evening and one car was swept away. A woman and a young boy were later found dead. Another person in Oklahoma was killed by a tornado in the town of Spalding. You're listening to NPR News. Members of the legendary rock group The Who have confirmed that their longtime drummer, Zach Starkey, is back in the band days after reports that he'd been let go. The British group, known for hits such as My Generation, said recent communication issues have now been resolved. The BBC's Simon Jones says more

on that story. 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 the BBC's Simon Jones with our report. Donovan Mitchell scored 30 points Sunday night and Darius Garland added another 24 as the

Cleveland Cavaliers trounced the Miami Heat 121-100 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs. Derek White meanwhile scored 30 points as the Boston Celtics used a second half rally to beat the Orlando Magic Sunday night 103-286. The Oakland Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies, winning 131-80, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Houston Rockets 95-85. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Aviv Regev is the co-founder of the Human Cell Atlas. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.