NPR News Now: May 1, 2025, 11AM EDT
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U.S. and Ukraine Forge Economic Partnership Over Mineral Resources
Korva Coleman opens the episode by reporting on a significant agreement between the United States and Ukraine. The pact grants the U.S. access to Ukraine's extensive mineral deposits, establishing a joint investment fund aimed at capitalizing on critical raw materials and rare earth minerals.
Treasury Secretary Scott Besant highlighted the comprehensive nature of the partnership:
"This is a total economic partnership. This isn't just rare earths. It's infrastructure, it's energy. So you know, there's the opportunity here for both sides to really win."
[00:46]
Despite the economic collaboration, the deal does not include explicit security guarantees for Ukraine. However, the established fund can be utilized to finance additional military aid, signaling a blend of economic and strategic interests.
Harvard University Complies with DHS Demands Amid Accusations
Transitioning to higher education, Korva Coleman discusses Harvard University's recent compliance with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) request for detailed information about its international students. The Trump administration had imposed a deadline for Harvard to provide records related to foreign students involved in illegal and violent activities, threatening to revoke the university's ability to enroll international students if unfulfilled.
Harvard executive VP Meredith Wenick addressed the matter in a university statement:
"We have responded to that request but can't detail what was turned over. Our steadfast commitment to international students remains unwavering. We urge our community to stay focused on academics."
[01:27]
The administration has also accused Harvard of anti-Semitism, citing pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, adding tension to the university's standing.
Southern Baptist Church Faces Declining Membership Amid Leadership Debates
The episode sheds light on the Southern Baptist Church's evolving dynamics. Korva Coleman references data from Lifeway Research indicating a decline in both membership identification and church affiliation within the denomination. Nonetheless, there are silver linings:
Mariana Bacallau reports that:
"The Southern Baptist Church baptized more people last year than it has in the past seven. Plus, its congregation saw growth in weekly church attendance and participation in small group Bible studies."
[02:25]
Despite these positives, the denomination is grappling with internal conflicts, particularly concerning the role of women in ministry. The recent departure of NewSpring megachurch from the denomination exemplifies these tensions, following disputes over female leadership roles. Additionally, the Southern Baptist Church is preparing for its annual Converge meeting, where these issues, along with a substantial $470 million loss in church giving last year, will be on the agenda.
Wall Street Surges as General Motors Faces Tariff Challenges
On the economic front, Korva Coleman reports a bullish day on Wall Street, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing over 300 points and the Nasdaq rising more than 2%. In related news, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra addressed concerns regarding the impact of President Trump's tariffs:
"At this time, GM does not expect to pass higher costs onto consumers. However, we will watch the market closely, as prices can change every month in the automotive industry."
[03:14]
Barra estimated the tariffs could cost GM between $4 and $5 billion this year, emphasizing the company's commitment to absorbing these costs without immediate price hikes for consumers.
South Korea's Acting President Resigns Amid Political Turmoil
Shifting to international politics, Korva Coleman highlights the resignation of South Korea's acting president, Han Deok Soo, which sets the stage for the upcoming June presidential elections. This political shift follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Sang Yeol.
Anthony Kuhn provides further insights:
"Prime Minister and acting President Han Deok Soo told a press briefing that he had thought hard before resigning without explicitly saying he plans to run for president. However, South Korean media report Han is assembling his campaign team before announcing his candidacy on Friday."
[03:58]
Han is expected to seek the People Power Party's nomination, although he currently trails opposition leader Lee Jae Myung by 29 percentage points (13% to 42%) in recent polls. Lee continues to face legal challenges, with the Supreme Court recently overturning his acquittal on election law violations.
Unusual Incident: Million Dimes Spill in Texas
In a lighter yet bizarre news item, Korva Coleman recounts an incident north of Fort Worth, Texas, where a truck loaded with 8 million separate dimes overturned, spilling its cargo onto the road. Fortunately, the two individuals involved were not seriously injured. Texas authorities responded by deploying large vacuum trucks to efficiently clear the dimes from the roadway.
Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with the NPR Announcer promoting the podcast's availability on various platforms, encouraging listeners to subscribe and stay informed.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the May 1, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a clear overview of the day's most pressing news topics.