NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-23-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: April 23, 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 in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Attorneys for a Maryland man who was illegally deported to El Salvador say the federal government is blocking their efforts to know what's being done to bring him back. More from NPR's Ximena Bustillo.

Kilmer Abrego-Garcia's lawyers say they've made nearly 30 requests for information about what the government has done to, quote, facilitate Abrego-Garcia's lawyers say they've made nearly 30 requests for information about what the government has done to quote facilitate Abrego-Garcia's return to the U.S. from detention in El Salvador. But the Justice Department is objecting to all the requests. That's despite a judge's order to uncover what they've done via a process known as expedited discovery. The Justice Department lawyers who are representing the administration say that they're operating in good faith.

But Abrego-Garcia's lawyers say the government is, quote, producing nothing of substance. They want a hearing to resolve the stalemate. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington. President Trump is no longer suggesting that he wants to fire Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell. Trump says he still wants the Fed to lower its benchmark interest rate, noting that inflation is still decreasing. It's all coming down.

The only thing that hasn't come down but hasn't gone up much are interest rate, noting that inflation is still decreasing. It's all coming down. The only thing that hasn't come down but hasn't gone up much are interest rates, and we think the Fed should lower the rate. We think that it's a perfect time to lower the rate and would like to see our chairman be early or on time as opposed to late. Trump also noted Tuesday's gains on Wall Street. Global markets tumbled on Monday on the president's criticism of the Fed and Jerome Powell, and previously in response to his sweeping tariffs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besson says he expects a de-escalation of the U.S. trade war with China to begin very soon. Speaking at an event in Washington, Besson also noted that the two nations have not yet begun trade talks, as according to two individuals familiar with the remarks, President Trump placed 145 percent tariffs on goods from China and Beijing responded with 125 percent tariffs on American goods. Harvard University is suing the federal government over its policies, including the freezing of grants to schools that do not meet its demands. NPR's Janaki Mehta explains what Harvard says is at stake.

Loryn Mehta In his letter announcing the lawsuit, Harvard president Alan Garber warns, quote, the consequences of the government's overreach will be severe and long lasting. Garber goes on to detail the types of research it says the government has put in jeopardy, including studies focused on child cancer survivors, infectious disease outbreaks, and treatments for wounded soldiers. The Trump administration says it's withholding funds from Harvard over an investigation into anti-Semitism on campus and accuses Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students. But Harvard's lawsuit questions how freezing research funds will further the administration's goals of eliminating anti-Semitism on campus.

Janaki Mehta, NPR News. JANAKI METHA, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, USFUTURES ARE HIGHER IN AFTER-HOURS TRADING ON WALL STREET. FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S GAINS, THE DALE JONES INDUSTRIALS ROSED 1,016 POINTS. THIS IS NPR. A wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey has forced thousands of people to evacuate. There are no immediate reports of injuries. The wind-driven blaze is threatening more than 1,300 structures. It's also prompted state officials to close a section of the Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey's busiest highways. Fire officials say that the wildfire has consumed 8,500 acres and is

10 percent contained. Catholics across the nation are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who died on Monday. NPR's Sarah Ventry reports that for many, Francis' legacy means remembering those who are the most marginalized. Sarah Ventry Francis famously called for the church to be a field hospital, acknowledging the work of the church should take place both in and out of the pews. He wanted to center people who are most in need, including migrants, unhoused people, and those with disabilities. Ruth Rowland is with the Bennett Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs. She says Pope Francis understood the concept of intersectionality. He understood that climate change, poverty, migration, forced migration, racism, that's

all connected. Many Catholics across the country will remember Francis as a pope of the people, of all people, especially those affected by injustice. Sarah Ventry, NPR News. The Israeli military says Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a missile toward northern Israel early Wednesday. Israel says the missile was most likely shot down. Separately, the Houthis are claiming they intercepted a military drone over Yemen.

This is NPR News. If buying a home feels out of reach, you might have more options than you think. This is NPR News.