NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-25-2025 9AM EDT

Episode Date: April 25, 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 Podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Ukraine is observing a day of mourning today after Russian drone and missile strikes killed

at least 12 people and injured dozens more in the capital, Kyiv, this week. NPR's Joanna Kokissis reports from Kyiv. Ukraine's president says the missiles used in the attack may have come from North Korea. In Kyiv, there's anger at Russia and the U.S. Olena Krakowska recalls running outside in her bathrobe just before a missile destroyed her home. She says President Trump is sacrificing Ukraine for a quick deal that accommodates Russia. Ukraine cannot give up its land, she says, even though it's occupied, it's still ours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has refused to recognize Russian-occupied land as Russian. In a post on social media, he said preliminary analysis on a ballistic missile that hit Kyiv indicates it was manufactured in North Korea. North Korea has been supplying both weapons and soldiers in Russia's war on Ukraine. Joanna Kekesis, NPR News, Cave. President Trump is going to Rome today to attend Pope Francis' funeral that's set for tomorrow. Trump may meet Ukrainian President Zelensky there, and it's possible they may speak. Trump spoke about the war on Ukraine with Time magazine.

In an interview published this morning, Trump says that the war in Ukraine with Time magazine. In an interview published this morning, Trump says that the annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea will stay with Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Russia is open to a U.S.-backed peace deal. The details of this plan have not been made public. But Lavrov suggested some work remains to be done. SERGEY LAVROV, Russian Foreign Minister, Ukraine Well, the president of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction.

The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points, elements of this deal, which need to be fine-tuned. And we are busy with this exact process. He spoke to CBS's Face the Nation. President Trump has signed an executive order. As NPR's Julia Simon reports, this is aimed at making it easier for mining companies to dig for minerals on the ocean floor. Deep on the ocean floor are potato-sized nodules

that contain metals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper. These metals can be used in technologies like batteries. The executive order instructs federal departments to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing permits for mining on the seafloor. Scientists and environmental groups are already condemning the order, arguing that opening the deep seabed for mining could damage important marine ecosystems. Underwater mining involves giant machines and creates plumes of sediment that could suffocate marine life.

That can have serious impacts on and disrupt the fishing industry. Julia Simon, NPR News. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Anzal for six Kentucky counties affected by flooding last February. From Member Station WEKU, Stan Engold reports, this comes as Kentucky is still waiting to find out if it will get FEMA funding for more recent flooding. Kentucky is still waiting to hear from Washington about whether or not federal aid will be provided for victims of flooding that hit much of the state this month.

Governor Andy Beshear says the state has to have federal assistance to be able to help its people recover. There's no magic bullet to get around it. If it's denied, then the president is saying that that money will not be available to help our families rebuild. He says he'll appeal the denials. Kentucky has faced two major flooding events in the past three months. Governor Beshear requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump on April 11th. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky. FEMA is denying federal funds to other states as well. Last week the disaster agency rejected funds to Washington State to help it recover from a damaging storm last year. Washington's governor

says FEMA gave no reason, even though the state met all the criteria. Arkansas is appealing a FEMA denial for funds to deal with storms that pummeled that state in March. And FEMA turned away North Carolina when state officials asked for more help to recover from Hurricane Helene. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.