NPR News: 05-07-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 7, 2025, 3PM EDT – In-Depth Summary

NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and in-depth reporting in just five minutes. The May 7, 2025, 3PM EDT episode covers significant developments in U.S. economic policy, international relations, immigration, national security measures, religious leadership transitions, and political commentary. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

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Federal Reserve Maintains Steady Interest Rates Amid Trade Tensions

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [00:26]

The Federal Reserve announced it is keeping interest rates steady in its latest meeting, a decision influenced by ongoing trade tensions initiated by President Trump. The central bank is closely monitoring the effects of these tariffs on the U.S. economy.

In-Depth Report:
Reporter: Scott Horsley
Timestamp: [00:39]

This marks the Fed's first rate-setting meeting since President Trump implemented a 10% tax on nearly all U.S. imports and a staggering 145% tariff on most imports from China. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell highlighted the potential repercussions, stating, “These tariffs are likely to lead to higher prices and slower economic growth, at least in the short term” (00:39). Despite inflation hovering slightly above the target and unemployment remaining low at 4.2% as of last month, policymakers unanimously decided to maintain the current benchmark interest rate. This rate is crucial as it influences borrowing costs for consumers and businesses alike.

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President Trump Remains Resolute on China Tariffs Ahead of U.S.-China Talks

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [01:18]

President Trump is steadfast in his stance on tariffs targeting China as high-level U.S.-China negotiations are slated to take place in Switzerland over the weekend.

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Controversial Plan to Deport Migrants to Libya Faces Strong Opposition

Reporters: Lakshmi Singh & Tom Bowman
Timestamps: [01:18], [01:54]

The Trump administration is considering deporting migrants to Libya using a C17 aircraft, potentially as early as this week. However, this plan faces significant hurdles:

• Libya's Response: Libya's government of national unity has rejected the proposal, stating, “There has been no coordination with the United States regarding these migrants being sent to Libya” (01:54). Additionally, Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army emphasized that accepting migrants “violates the sovereignty of the homeland” (01:54).

• Potential U.S. Reversal: Sources suggest that the White House might ultimately abandon this deportation plan despite initial discussions (01:54).

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Implementation of Real ID Requires Immediate Action Starting Today

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [02:25]

Starting today, U.S. citizens must present a Real ID to board airplanes or enter federal buildings. This mandate is the culmination of a two-decade effort to enhance national security through stricter identification standards.

In-Depth Report:
Reporter: Martin Costi
Timestamp: [02:38]

The Real ID Act of 2005 significantly raised the bar for state-issued IDs, making them more secure and harder to counterfeit. Brian Zimmer, the law’s author, explained, “It also took time to outfit airports with the right technology. These new scanners... are now going to be able to recognize fakes” (02:38). Despite the long implementation timeline, the transition is now complete, with TSA scanners capable of detecting fraudulent IDs with high accuracy—“It's highly unlikely that more than 1 in 10,000 will pass through those scanners” (03:04). Eligible IDs are marked with a star or a flag, and federal pictures like passports are also accepted.

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Cardinals Begin Conclave to Select New Pope Following Pope Francis’s Passing

Reporter: Lakshmi Singh
Timestamp: [03:21]

In a significant religious event, 133 Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church convened to begin the conclave for selecting Pope Francis’s successor. The process commenced with sung prayers, marking the continuation of tradition as the Church seeks new leadership after Pope Francis’s death on Easter Monday at age 88.

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Former President Biden Criticizes Trump's Early Presidency in First Interview Post-White House

Reporter: Lauren Frayer
Timestamp: [04:21]

In his first interview since leaving office, former President Joe Biden spoke with the BBC from his home in Delaware. He addressed his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, stating it did not influence the election outcome.

Key Statements:

• On Trump's Early Actions: Biden criticized Trump’s unconventional policies, such as “President Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland and to make Canada the 51st state” (04:21).

• On Ukrainian Peace Talks: Addressing Trump's attempts to pressure Ukraine into ceding territory to Russia, Biden remarked, “I think it's not common sense. It's perhaps modern-day appeasement” (04:42), drawing a parallel to Britain’s failed attempts to appease Hitler in the 1930s.

• On U.S.-European Relations: Biden warned that strained relations under Trump's administration “would... change the modern history of the world” (04:44).

Supporting Quote:
Tom Bowman: “It is modern-day appeasement” (04:42).

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Closing Remarks

The episode concluded with reminders for listeners to access the podcast without advertisements via Amazon Music or other podcast platforms by subscribing through NPR's channels.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the pivotal discussions and updates presented in the NPR News Now episode, offering listeners a detailed overview of the latest developments across various sectors.

Transcript

[Peter Sagal]

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, incompetent criminals and 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.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates steady for now. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The central bank is monitoring the impact of President Trump's trade war.

[Scott Horsley]

This was the Fed's first rate setting meeting since President Trump imposed a 10% tax on nearly everything the US imports, along with a 145% tariff on most imports from China. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell warns those tariffs are likely to lead to higher prices and slower economic growth, at least in the short term. With inflation still running slightly above their target and unemployment at a low 4.2% last month, Fed policymakers voted unanimously to hold their benchmark interest rate unchanged. That rate helps determine the cost of borrowing money to buy a car, expand a business or carry a balance on a credit card. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

President Trump is still holding firm on tariffs on China ahead of high level U. S. China talks in Switzerland this weekend. Trump took reporters questions following an Oval Office ceremony in which former Senator David Purdue of Georgia was sworn in as the US Ambassador to China. President Trump declined to elaborate on reports that his administration may deport migrants to Libya. But U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, tell NPR's Tom Bowman that for now the plan is to use one C17 aircraft to transport an undisclosed number of migrants, perhaps sometime this week, although another source says a White House could pull the plug on that plan.

[Tom Bowman]

One of the hiccups here is Libya's government of national unity said it rejected the use of Libyan territory as a destination for deporting migrants without its knowledge or consent. It says there's been no coordination with the United States regarding these migrants being sent to Libya. And now Khalifa Haftar, his Libyan national army. They control eastern Libya. He also rejected any migrants coming from the United States to Libya. He he said simply, it violates the sovereignty of the homeland.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. Starting today, you'll be asked for a real ID to board an airplane or enter some federal buildings in the United States. NPR's Martin Costi reports. The law has taken 20 years to implement.

[Martin Kosti]

The 2005 law raised standards for state IDs that are used for federally regulated activities such as flying. States had to do more to check a person's identity and print cards that are harder to counterfeit. Brian Zimmer wrote the law and then consulted on real ID implementation. He says it also took time to outfit airports with the right technology. These new scanners that you can find at the airport are now going to be able to recognize fakes.

[Tom Bowman]

It's highly unlikely that more than 1.

[Martin Kosti]

In 10,000 will pass through those scanners. Acceptable state IDs are marked with a star or a flag, and TSA will also accept federal picture IDs such as passports. Martin Kosti, NPR News, from Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is npr. We've just learned black smoke billows from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel meeting. Cardinals holding a conclave to select a new pope must continue voting. Earlier today, sung prayers as 133Cardinals, Princess of the Roman Catholic Church, formally began the deeply profound process of selecting a successor to the late Pope Francis, who died Easter Monday at the age of 88. Former President Biden has given his first interview since he left the White House in January was to a British broadcaster, the BBC. Speaking from his home state of Delaware, Biden said he did not believe the timing of his decision to exit the 2024 presidential race against Trump just months before the election affected the outcome. NPR's Lauren Frere reports from London. Biden took aim at Trump's actions during his first 100 days in office about.

[Lauren Frayer]

President Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland and to make Canada the 51st state. Biden told the BBC, what president ever talked like that?

[Tom Bowman]

That's not who we are.

[Lauren Frayer]

Biden also responded to questions from the BBC about Trump's efforts to get Ukraine to cede some territory to Russia as part of a peace deal.

[Lakshmi Singh]

I think it's not common sense. It's perhaps modern day appeasement.

[Tom Bowman]

It is modern day appeasement.

[Lauren Frayer]

That's a reference to how Britain sought to appease Adolf Hitler in the 1930s, which didn't work and failed to prevent World War II. Biden also said a breakdown of U.S. european relations under Trump and Vice President Vance would, quote, change the modern history of the world. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr.

[Martin Kosti]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Amazon Music with a Prime membership or.

[Martin Kosti]

Any podcast app by subscribing to npr news now +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.