NPR News: 05-01-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 1, 2025, 11AM EDT

Hosted by NPR

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the NPR Announcer promoting the podcast's availability on various platforms, encouraging listeners to subscribe and stay informed.

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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.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The U.S. and Ukraine have signed an agreement that gives the U.S. access to Ukraine's vast mineral deposits. It creates a joint investment fund, and revenue from the fund will come from new licenses for critical raw materials and rare earth minerals. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says the US Will share revenue from that fund with Ukraine.

[Scott Besant]

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.

[Korva Coleman]

He spoke with Fox Business. However, the deal does not provide Ukraine with explicit security guarantees from the U.S. the fund can be used to finance new military aid to Ukraine. Harvard University has met a deadline from the Department of Homeland Security. It has handed over information about international students. From member station GBH in Boston. Kirk Carapeza reports. The university isn't saying exactly what was shared.

[Kurt Karapeza]

Two weeks ago, the Trump administration demanded detailed records for foreign students, illegal and violent activities. If not, the school would risk losing the ability to enroll international students altogether. In a message to the campus community, Harvard executive VP Meredith Wenick says the university has responded to that request but doesn't detail what was turned over. Wenick reiterates Harvard's steadfast commitment to international students, urging them to stay focused on academics. The Trump administration accuses Harvard of anti Semitism, citing pro Palestinian demonstrations. For NPR News, I'm Kurt Karapeza in Boston.

[Korva Coleman]

Fewer people identify as Southern Baptists, and fewer churches belong to that denomination. That's according to recent data released by Lifeway Research. Nevertheless, the church says it is encouraged by some of the positive numbers. From member station WPLN in Nashville, Mariana Bakeao has more.

[Mariana Bacallau]

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. But congregants are still leaving the nation's largest Protestant mainline denomination as leadership debates the role of women in ministry. NewSpring megachurch in South Carolina left the denomination last month after a Southern Baptist committee questioned the leadership role of one of the church's female staffers. The Southern Baptist Church will soon Converge for its annual meeting where church leadership could take up the issue. Along with budget discussions, the denomination saw a nearly $470 million loss last year in church giving. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallau in Nashville.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, stocks are higher. The Dow is up more than 300 points. The Nasdaq is up more than 2%. This is NPR. The CEO of automaker General Motors says President Trump's tariffs will cost that company between 4 and 5 billion dollars this year. Speaking to CNN, Mary Barra said that at this time, GM does not expect to pass higher costs onto consumers. She warned GM will watch the market closely, and prices can change every month in the automotive industry. South Korea's acting president has resigned, signaling he may compete in presidential elections in June. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul. The elections were triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Sang Yeol.

[Anthony Kuhn]

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. But South Korean media report Han is assembling his campaign team before announcing his candidacy on Friday. He's expected to seek the nomination of the conservative ruling People Power Party. Han was appointed prime minister by the impeached ex president Yoon Sung Yeol. One recent poll showed Han trailing the leading candidate, opposition leader lee Jae Myung, 13% to 42%. Lee continues to face legal problems. The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a verdict acquitting him of charges that he violated election laws. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Korva Coleman]

A truck driving north of Fort Worth, Texas, rolled on its side Tuesday, spilling its cargo on the road. It was a load of 8 million separate dimes. Two people in the truck were not seriously hurt. Texas authorities say they ended up using huge vacuum trucks to suck the dimes up off the road. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Announcer]

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