NPR News: 05-07-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 7, 2025, 8AM EDT

Hosted by NPR, "NPR News Now" delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the May 7, 2025, episode.

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1. Vatican Conclave Begins: Final Mass Marks the Start

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a report on the Roman Catholic Church's pivotal moment as cardinals convene to elect a new pope.

• Final Mass and Conclave Commencement

  Ruth Sherlock describes the solemn atmosphere at St. Peter's Basilica: "The cardinals in blood red robes processed up the aisle of the crowded St. Peter's Basilica, passing the bishops in their deep purple gowns and stopping briefly at the altar to pray" (00:38). The conclave, a secluded process, begins after this final public Mass, with cardinals retreating to the Sistine Chapel to deliberate.

• Cardinal Batista Rey's Homily

  In his homily, Cardinal Batista Rey emphasizes the need for divine guidance: "We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit so that the pope elected may be he whom the church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history" (00:38). This statement underscores the gravity and global significance of the election.

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2. Rising Tensions: India and Pakistan Escalate Military Actions

Korva Coleman reports escalating violence between India and Pakistan, highlighting the dangerous dynamics given both nations possess nuclear weapons.

• Recent Military Engagements

  India has launched missile strikes into Pakistan as retaliation for a militant attack in Kashmir that resulted in 26 deaths (01:19). Korva Coleman notes Pakistan's rejection of responsibility, with Pakistan claiming that its retaliatory actions have led to approximately 30 Indian casualties and alleging the downing of Indian warplanes, though these claims remain unverified.

• U.S. President Trump's Remarks

  President Trump comments on the situation: "Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. You know, they've been fighting for many, many decades" (01:50). His remarks neither condemn nor support either side, reflecting the longstanding complexity of Indo-Pakistani relations.

• Nuclear Concerns

  The presence of nuclear arsenals in both countries raises international alarm, emphasizing the potential for a broader conflict that could have global repercussions.

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3. U.S. Foreign Policy Shifts: Ceasing Airstrikes on Houthi Militants

In a significant policy change, the United States will halt its airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen.

• Reasoning Behind the Shift

  Korva Coleman explains that the U.S. decision follows weeks of attacks aimed at curbing Houthi activities in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have targeted shipping lanes. The cessation aligns with the Houthis' support for Hamas militants in Gaza, indicating a strategic pivot in U.S. foreign engagement.

• Implications for Regional Stability

  This move could impact the balance of power in the region and the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Gaza, with potential repercussions for international shipping and humanitarian efforts.

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4. American Housing Market: Two-Thirds Priced Out of Homeownership

A new Gallup survey reveals a challenging landscape for prospective homebuyers in the United States.

• Survey Findings

  Jennifer Ludden reports that "two thirds of Americans who do not own a home say they are priced out of the market" (02:32). Only just over half of non-homeowners plan to purchase a home within the next five to ten years, a stark decline from a decade ago.

• Barriers to Homeownership

  The primary obstacle identified by renters is the high cost, including substantial down payments. Additionally, "spiking rents have made it harder to save up for that," Jennifer Ludden notes. Persistent high mortgage rates and median home prices exacerbate the issue, contributing to a sustained negative outlook on the housing market.

• Historical Context

  This negative sentiment toward home buying marks a significant shift since 2022, reversing decades of optimism about homeownership in the United States.

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5. Federal Reserve and Economic Policies: Monitoring Tariff Impacts

Economic policymakers are closely watching the ramifications of recent international tariffs introduced by President Trump.

• Federal Reserve's Stance

  Policymakers are expected to maintain current interest rates in their forthcoming decision. However, Korva Coleman highlights that Fed officials are "closely tracking the effects of President Trump's worldwide tariffs," expressing concerns that these could "boost inflation in the U.S." (03:11).

• Treasury Secretary Scott Besant's Engagement

  Besant is scheduled to meet with top Chinese economic officials in Switzerland, aiming to de-escalate the tit-for-tat tariffs between the U.S. and China. This dialogue seeks to mitigate inflationary pressures and stabilize international trade relations.

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6. Endangered Historic Sites: National Trust for Historic Preservation's Annual List

Preservationists warn of several historic sites facing neglect and potential loss.

• Phoenix's Mystery Castle

  Neta Ulaby reports that Phoenix's Mystery Castle is listed as one of the most endangered historic sites (04:00). National Trust President Carol Quillen emphasizes the importance of keeping such sites "activated" rather than "frozen in amber," advocating for ongoing engagement and preservation efforts.

• Other Threatened Sites

  The list also includes a historic lodge at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, and the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in Virginia. The latter faces threats from rising sea levels, potentially rendering the area inaccessible within the century—a significant threat to a region with over 15,000 years of tribal history.

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7. GoFundMe Celebrates 15 Years: Expanding Support for Nonprofits

Korva Coleman shares the milestone of GoFundMe's 15th anniversary, highlighting its impact and future initiatives.

• Impact Over 15 Years

  The online fundraising platform has facilitated the raising of $40 billion for various causes (04:37). This substantial contribution underscores GoFundMe's role in mobilizing resources for individuals and communities in need.

• Future Initiatives

  In celebration, GoFundMe officials announce the development of a new method specifically designed to help nonprofits raise money, indicating an expansion of their services to better support organizational fundraising efforts.

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Conclusion

The May 7, 2025, episode of "NPR News Now" provided a comprehensive overview of significant global and domestic issues. From the solemn proceedings of the Vatican conclave and escalating Indo-Pakistani tensions to shifts in U.S. foreign policy and challenges within the American housing market, the podcast covered a wide array of topics. Additionally, concerns over historic preservation and milestones in nonprofit fundraising highlighted the diverse range of issues shaping current events.

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Timestamps:

• 00:38: Final Mass at Vatican
• 01:19: India-Pakistan conflict escalation
• 01:50: President Trump's remarks on Indo-Pakistani conflict
• 02:32: Gallup survey on American home buying
• 03:11: Federal Reserve and tariff impacts
• 04:00: Endangered historic sites
• 04:37: GoFundMe's 15th anniversary

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Roman Catholic cardinals have held a final Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. They're starting their conclave to choose a new pope. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports. The morning Mass is the final public act before the cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel to cast their vote for a new pontiff.

[Ruth Sherlock]

The cardinals in blood red robes processed up the aisle of the crowded St. Peter's Basilica, passing the bishops in their deep purple gowns and stopping briefly at the altar to pray. White smoke from the burning frankincense curled up towards the golden cupola. The air filled with the music from the choir as they led the congregation in prayerful song. We are here to invoke the help of the Holy Spirit, said Cardinal Batista Rey in his homily, so that the pope elected may be he whom the church and humanity need at this difficult and complex turning point in history. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

[Korva Coleman]

India and Pakistan have escalated violence between them. India has fired missiles into Pakistan, saying this is in retaliation for a militant attack last month in Indian controlled Kashmir province that killed 26 people. India claims Pakistan was responsible, a claim Pakistan rejects. Pakistan says India's attacks have killed about 30 people. Pakistan claims it has shot down some Indian warplanes, although that has not been confirmed. President Trump remarked on the fighting yesterday as it started to unfold.

[President Trump]

Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time. You know, they've been fighting for many, many decades.

[Korva Coleman]

Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons. They have previously fought several wars. Separately, President Trump says the US Will stop airstrikes on Houthi militants in Yemen after weeks of attacks. The US has tried to stop the Houthis from firing on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis say they're supporting Hamas militants in Gaza. Two thirds of Americans who do not own a home say they are priced out of the market. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports on a new poll that finds few Americans plan to buy a home in the near future.

[Jennifer Ludden]

A Gallup survey finds just over half of non homeowners do say they plan to buy in the next five to 10 years, but that's a major drop from a decade ago. Renters say the biggest reason by far is cost, including the down payment. And housing experts say spiking rents have made it harder to save up for that. Plus, mortgage rates and median home prices remain high. Gallup does find fewer people expect home prices to rise in their area over the next year, but an overwhelming majority still say it's a bad time to buy a house. That negative Shift happened in 2022, after decades when people in the United States were mostly positive about home buying. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. Policymakers for the Federal Reserve are expected to keep interest rates where they are when they release their decision this afternoon. But Fed officials are closely tracking the effects of President Trump's worldwide tariffs. They're concerned these could boost inflation in the U.S. separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant will discuss Trump's tariffs this weekend. He'll meet top Chinese economic officials in Switzerland. Bessant says one goal will be to de escalate as the US And China have have boosted tariffs on each other. A derelict roadside attraction in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the most endangered historic sites in the US that's according to the annual list from the National Trust for historic preservation. NPR's Neta Uluby reports The list shines.

[Neta Uluby]

Light on interesting and important places suffering from damage or neglect. Phoenix's mystery Castle is one, says National Trust President Carol Quillen, and we're not.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Preserving these places so that they can be roped off and frozen in amber.

[Neta Uluby]

Instead, she says, the goal is to keep them activated. Other places on the list this year include a historic lodge at the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve and the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in Virginia. Tribal members and their ancestors have lived there for more than 15,000 years, but rising sea levels may make the area inaccessible within this century. Nada Ulubi, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The online fundraising site GoFundMe has turned 15 years old. The platform says during that time the site has helped people raise $40 billion. Now GoFundMe officials say they're creating a new method to help nonprofits raise money. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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