NPR News Now: Summary of May 1, 2025, 9 PM EDT Episode

Released on May 2, 2025

NPR’s “News Now” delivered a comprehensive update on critical national and international issues in its latest episode. This detailed summary encapsulates the key stories, discussions, and insights featured in the broadcast.

1. VA Ends Mortgage Rescue Program for Veterans

Host: Jack Spear
Key Points:

• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has discontinued the VA Service Purchase Program (VASP), a mortgage rescue initiative established under the Biden administration.
• VASP was designed to rectify an error in the home loan program that had inadvertently put tens of thousands of veterans at risk of foreclosure.
• Within its first six months, VASP successfully prevented at least 17,000 veterans from losing their homes.

Concerns:

• Housing industry experts, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, warn that the termination of VASP could result in thousands of foreclosures affecting veterans and their families.
• Republican opposition in Congress centers around VASP's mechanism of the VA buying up troubled loans, with proposals underway to replace it through new legislation.

Notable Quote:

“The VA has now ended VASP, despite groups like the Mortgage Bankers Association warning it would lead to thousands of foreclosures.” – Quill Lawrence, [00:34]

2. Federal Judge Blocks Deportations of Venezuelans Under Alien Enemies Act

Host: Jack Spear
Key Points:

• A federal judge has prohibited the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan nationals from South Texas using the Alien Enemies Act, a statute dating back to the 18th century.
• The administration's reliance on this law to target individuals labeled as gang members has been deemed unlawful.
• President Trump has leveraged the Alien Enemies Act as part of his broader strategy to expand executive powers.

Historical Context:

• The Alien Enemies Act was historically invoked during wartime, notably in World War II, to address national security threats.
• The current administration's use of the act marks a significant departure from past practices aimed at diminishing U.S. leadership roles internationally.

Notable Quote:

“Judge the first to rule the Alien Enemies act cannot be used against people the administration claims are gang members invading the U.S.” – Jack Spear, [01:15]

3. Trump Administration’s Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy

Host: Greg Myhre
Key Contributors: Kelly Grieco (Stimson Center), Canecia Lubrin

Key Points:

• President Trump is actively reshaping the United States’ global role, emphasizing a reduction in traditional leadership and alliances.
• He has urged European nations to cease reliance on U.S. military support for their security and has taken a confrontational stance against long-standing allies through criticism and tariff impositions.

Expert insights:

• Kelly Grieco describes the administration’s approach as a "sledgehammer" tactic towards U.S. foreign policy institutions and alliances.
• Canecia Lubrin highlights Trump's dismissive attitude toward establishments like the United Nations and NATO, viewing them as impediments to unilateral U.S. action.

Notable Quotes:

“Trump is often dismissive of institutions the US helped build, including the United Nations and NATO.” – Greg Myhre, [02:26]
“He describes this network of international bodies as obstacles that often prevent the US from acting decisively on its own.” – Greg Myhre, [02:26]

4. Termination of the De Minimis Rule on Chinese Imports

Host: Jack Spear
Key Points:

• The exemption allowing low-value imports from China to enter the U.S. duty-free, known as the de minimis rule, is set to expire on May 2, 2025.
• Approximately 4 million low-value parcels, predominantly from China, benefited from this exemption daily, aiding consumers with lower prices and faster deliveries.
• The end of this rule is expected to result in increased costs for consumers and potential delays in delivery times.
• U.S. companies sourcing products from China will face higher expenses, potentially impacting their pricing structures and profitability.

Market Impact:

• Despite economic adjustments, Wall Street responded positively with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 83 points and the Nasdaq increasing by 264 points.

Notable Quote:

“Under the so-called de minimis rule, as many as 4 million low-value parcels coming to the US every day, mostly from China, had been exempted from duties.” – Jack Spear, [02:43]

5. US-Ukraine Minerals Deal to Support Lasting Peace

Host: Jack Spear
Key Points:

• The White House announced a minerals agreement with Ukraine aimed at establishing a fund managed equally by representatives from both nations.
• Each country will receive half of the royalties, license fees, and other revenues from national resource projects.

Strategic Importance:

• The U.S. will retain the first right of refusal on purchasing these resources or selecting buyers, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

Official Statement:

“The agreement shows how invested the president is in securing a truly lasting peace.” – White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, [03:30]

6. Canecia Lubrin Wins Carol Shields Prize for Fiction

Host: Canecia Lubrin
Key Points:

• Canadian writer Canecia Lubrin has been awarded the prestigious Carol Shields Prize for fiction, which recognizes women and non-binary writers in the U.S. and Canada.
• Lubrin’s debut fiction book, Code Noir, comprises 59 interconnected short stories inspired by the laws of French King Louis XIV regarding slavery in France and its colonies.

Prize Significance:

• The Carol Shields Prize stands out in the literary community with winners receiving $150,000, significantly higher than other notable awards like the National Book Award.

Notable Quote:

“It's a virtuoso collection that breaks new ground in short fiction.” – Carol Shields Prize Judges, [03:59]

7. Rise in Crude Oil Prices

Host: Jack Spear
Key Points:

• After experiencing recent downturns, crude oil futures rebounded, with prices increasing by over one dollar per barrel, reaching $59.24.
• This uptick reflects market adjustments in response to global economic factors and policy changes affecting supply and demand dynamics.

Market Overview:

• The resilience in oil prices indicates investor confidence and potential shifts in energy sector trends.

Notable Quote:

“Today, oil was up more than a dollar a barrel to $59.24 a barrel.” – Jack Spear, [04:43]

Conclusion

This episode of NPR’s “News Now” provided listeners with timely updates on housing stability for veterans, immigration policy challenges, shifts in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration, changes in trade regulations affecting consumer prices, strategic international agreements supporting Ukraine, significant achievements in literature, and movements in the energy markets. Through expert analysis and authoritative reporting, the episode offered a well-rounded perspective on pressing issues affecting both national and global landscapes.