NPR News: 05-09-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 9, 2025

Released on May 9, 2025

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5-minute news update

---

1. Notable Passings and Papal Transition

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter Passes Away

NPR reports the passing of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter at the age of 85. Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 with Republican support, Justice Souter garnered attention for his unexpected liberal leanings on the bench. His tenure was marked by significant decisions that often aligned him with the court's liberal faction, surprising many of his conservative backers. Justice Souter retired in 2009, leaving behind a legacy of judicial independence and thoughtful deliberation.

Pope Leo XIV Celebrates First Mass

In Vatican news, the recently appointed Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel today. The Vatican has announced that his official installation will take place during a mass on Sunday, May 18. This marks the beginning of his papacy, which is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives to the Catholic Church's global initiatives.

---

2. Russia Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Victory in WWII

Vladimir Putin’s Address in Moscow

As Russia marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, President Vladimir Putin addressed crowds in Moscow. Speaking through a BBC interpreter at [01:02], Putin stated:

"All of us are filled by feelings of joy and sadness, of pride and gratitude. We bow our heads to the generation that crushed Nazism at the cost of millions of lives, the one peace and freedom for the whole of humanity."

However, Putin's commemorative remarks are overshadowed by ongoing tensions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the complex interplay between historical remembrance and current geopolitical conflicts.

---

3. U.S. Policy Update: Refugee Status for White South Africans

Granting Refugee Status Amidst Controversy

The Trump administration is set to grant refugee status to over 50 white South Africans, with arrivals expected at Dallas Airport as early as Monday. NPR's Kate Buttit reports [01:42] that this decision follows an executive order signed three months ago, which claims that Afrikaners face persecution in South Africa. Afrikaners, descendants of mainly Dutch colonists, have been granted the ability to apply for asylum in the United States.

However, the South African government disputes these claims, asserting there is no evidence of persecution and accusing the U.S. administration of propagating disinformation. Three sources within the U.S. government, who requested anonymity, confirmed the arrangements to NPR.

---

4. U.S.-China Trade Relations Influence Market Movements

Stock Markets Rise as Trade Talks Loom

U.S. stock markets opened higher this morning, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by approximately 100 points, as preparations for upcoming trade talks between the U.S. and China take center stage. NPR's Scott Horsley reports [02:23] that U.S. officials are scheduled to meet with their Chinese counterparts in Geneva this weekend.

President Trump has suggested reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 80%, though this remains significantly higher than typical import taxes. In response, China reported over a 20% drop in exports to the U.S. last month due to intensified trade tensions. While China has redirected exports to other markets, the overall export costs have risen, adversely affecting global trade dynamics.

Additionally, the trade war is impacting international travel, with Expedia noting a nearly 30% decrease in bookings to the U.S. from Canada.

“China says exports to the U.S. dropped more than 20% last month after Trump intensified his trade war,” – Scott Horsley [02:31].

---

5. Legal Proceedings and Electoral Laws in the U.S.

Deportation Hearing for Rameza Ozturk

A federal judge in Vermont is conducting a hearing concerning Tufts University doctoral student Rameza Ozturk, whom the Trump administration seeks to deport. NPR's Korva Coleman reports [03:12] that a federal appeals court has mandated the relocation of Ozturk from detention in Louisiana to Vermont while her case is under review. Notably, Ozturk has not been charged with any crime and is being deported following the publication of an essay criticizing her university's stance on the war in Gaza.

State-Level Restrictions on Ballot Measures

Several U.S. states are enacting new laws that restrict voters from placing certain issues on their ballots. NPR's Ashley Lopez covers this development [03:12], highlighting that Republican lawmakers argue these measures are necessary to prevent voter fraud and misinformation.

Kelly Hall from the Fairness Project, which advocates for economic and social justice through ballot initiatives, comments [03:54]:

"Laws limiting citizen-led ballot initiatives are not new, but her group is seeing more of them this year than ever before."

Ashley Lopez adds [04:08] that these legislative changes largely respond to the high-profile nature of reproductive rights ballot measures. States like Arkansas and Florida have already implemented such restrictions, citing the prevention of misleading voters and fraud. However, both states are currently facing legal challenges to these new laws, particularly as they have been used to counter citizen-led efforts to secure abortion rights protections through ballot initiatives last year.

---

6. Escalating Tensions Between India and Pakistan

Renewed Hostilities and Military Actions

India and Pakistan have reignited their long-standing conflict, engaging in attacks involving drones, projectiles, and military aircraft. This latest round of hostilities targets regions that have remained largely untouched for approximately half a decade. Korva Coleman reports [04:36] that India initiated these aggressive actions as retaliation for the killing of 26 tourists, signaling a significant escalation in regional tensions.

---

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical global and domestic issues, from significant political shifts and international relations to legal battles and economic policies. With incisive reporting and timely updates, listeners are kept informed on matters that shape both national and international landscapes.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Vladimir Putin at Moscow Rally [01:02]:

  "All of us are filled by feelings of joy and sadness, of pride and gratitude. We bow our heads to the generation that crushed Nazism at the cost of millions of lives, the one peace and freedom for the whole of humanity."

---

This summary provides a detailed account of the NPR News Now episode from May 9, 2025, encapsulating essential news topics, insightful discussions, and significant developments across various sectors.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance and the name your price tool. It helps you find car insurance options in your budget. Try it [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law, not available in all states.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The U.S. supreme Court says that former Justice David Souters died at the age of 85. Souters was appointed by former President George H.W. bush in 1990 and won Republican backing. But Souter Souter surprised many by often siding with liberal justices. Souter retired in 2009. Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first Mass of his new papacy today in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. The Vatican says he will be officially installed in a mass on Sunday, May 18. Russia is marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to crowds gathered in Moscow today.

[Vladimir Putin]

All of us are un by feelings of joy and sadness, of pride and gratitude. We bow our heads to the generation that crushed the Nazism at the cost of millions of lives, the one peace and freedom for the whole of humanity.

[Korva Coleman]

He was heard here through a BBC interpreter. But Putin's remarks are being overshadowed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Trump administration is officially granting refugee status to more than 50 white South Africans. As Kate Bartlett reports, they're expected to begin arriving in the US Next week.

[Kate Buttit]

The group of white South Africans could arrive at Dallas Airport as early as Monday, three sources with knowledge of the matter told npr, which has also seen an email confirming the arrangements. The sources all work for the US Government, so did not want to be named out of fear of retribution. This comes just three months after President Trump signed an executive order claiming Afrikaners faced persecution in South Africa and could apply for refugee status in the United States. Afrikaners are the descendants of mainly Dutch colonists. The South African government says there is no evidence they are being persecuted and has accused the US Administration of being taken in by disinformation. For NPR News, I'm Kate Buttit in Johannesburg.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks opened higher this morning as the U.S. and China prepare for trade talks. And NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow's up about 100 points.

[Scott Horsley]

U.S. officials will be meeting with their Chinese counterparts in Geneva this weekend. In a social media post this morning, President Trump floated the idea of reducing the tariff on Chinese goods from 145 to 80%. That would still be a much higher import tax than the U.S. has typically levied. China says exports to the U.S. dropped more than 20% last month after Trump intensified his trade war. China found other markets for its products, however, the cost the country's overall exports continue to climb. The trade war is keeping some international travelers from visiting the U.S. the travel website Expedia says bookings to the U.S. from Canada have dropped by nearly 30%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. A federal judge holds a hearing today in Vermont for a Tufts University doctoral student. The Trump administration is seeking to deport Rameza Ozturk. A federal appeals court has already ordered the administration to take Osterk out of detention in Louisiana and move her to Vermont while her case is decided. Ostrich has not been charged with any crime. She published an essay criticizing her university over the war in Gaza. Some states are passing new laws that make it harder for voters to place issues on their ballots. NPR's Ashley Lopez reports. Republican lawmakers leading these efforts say they are working to reduce fraud.

[Kelly Hall]

Kelly hall is with the Fairness Project, a group that uses ballot measures to pass economic and social justice policies. She says laws limiting citizen led ballot initiatives are not new, but her group is seeing more of them this year than ever before.

[Ashley Lopez]

That is in no small measure, I think, a response to the high profile nature of reproductive rights ballot measures.

[Kelly Hall]

Republican led governments in Arkansas and Florida have already passed such laws, which they say prevents groups misleading voters and fraud. But both states had citizen led efforts last year aimed at getting abortion rights protections passed through ballot measures. The new restrictions in both states are also being challenged in court. Ashley Lopez, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

India and Pakistan have continued to attack each other. They've used drones, projectiles and military aircraft. They've struck areas that have not been hit in about half a decade. India began the latest round saying it was retaliating for the killing of 26 tourists. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Advertiser]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Saatva. Saatva. Luxury mattresses are every bit as elegant as the most expensive brands, but because they're sold online, they're about half the price. Visit saatva.com NPR and save an additional $200.