NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-07-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: May 7, 2025

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Unlike headlines or social media posts, books can give you the long view on the news, which is where NPR's Book of the Day can help. To think big picture about stories like the death of Pope Francis. What's missing from the picture, he says, is the merciful face of Christ. You can find this interview and others just like it on NPR's Book of the Day podcast. Tune out the noise and listen every weekday. of the Day podcast. Tune out the noise and listen every weekday. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. Pakistan's government says at least eight people have been killed and dozens more are injured after India launched a series of missile strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Delhi says

the strikes were in response to an attack that killed 26 civilians last month in Indian-administered Kashmir. The BBC's Azadeh Mushiri reports from Islamabad. Pakistan had warned it believed an attack was coming. An emergency has now been declared across all hospitals in Punjab. Schools in the province, as well as in Islamabad's capital territory, must remain closed. The military has told the BBC its response is already underway, and it has shot down multiple Indian jets and a drone, though India hasn't commented and the BBC hasn't been

able to independently verify this. For nearly two weeks, Pakistan's government had denied any involvement in the deadly attack on tourists in Pehelgaum and had called for an independent investigation. The BBC's Azadeh Moshiri in Islamabad. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant heads to Switzerland later in the week for a meeting with trade officials from China. Besant is downplaying expectations that the two sides could begin talks on a comprehensive trade deal as soon as this weekend.

What we're going to do in Switzerland is we've agreed to talk. Then on Saturday and Sunday, we will agree what we're going to talk about. My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the big trade deal. But we've got to de-escalate before we can move forward. Besson says the U.S. is not backing away from textile and other industries in China, but does want to return production of semiconductors, medicines, and steel to the U.S. He's also expected to meet with Switzerland's president to follow up on their recent discussions on the sideline of the World Bank meeting.

A second federal judge is blocking the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport certain non-citizens. The latest ruling comes from U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in the Southern District of New York. NPR's Jasmine Garst has details. Jasmine Garst Back in March, President Trump proclaimed the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law from 1798, to quickly remove Venezuelan migrants accused of being gang members.

Judge Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, said the administration failed to demonstrate the existence of a war or invasion, so invoking the Alien Enemies Act is not valid. Last week, a Trump appointee, Judge Fernando Rodriguez, blocked officials from using the act in southern Texas. Last month, the Supreme Court allowed removals under the act, but said migrants are entitled to the opportunity to challenge accusations made against them. In response, challenges have been filed

in districts across the country. Jasmine Garst, NPR News, New York. This is NPR. President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood firm on trade issues during their overlaw This is NPR. President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stood firm on trade issues during their Oval Office meeting Tuesday. Trump says he will not lift his higher tariffs on Canadian goods. President also suggested it would be good for China to become a part of the U.S.

Carney says that will never happen. The Trump administration has granted major environmental approval for Elon Musk's company SpaceX to launch more rockets from south Texas. Details from NPR's Jeff Brumfield. Spacex is developing a massive rocket in Texas. It's called Starship. It's the largest spacecraft ever built, and Musk hopes it will someday carry people to Mars.

But before it can, the company needs to complete a lot of test launches. It had been limited to just five launches a year, but a new ruling from the FAA would allow that number to jump to 25 launches. Local environmental groups had been concerned about the impact those extra launches would have on surrounding wetlands, but the FAA concluded they would not cause significant harm. The additional launches won't be coming soon. Starship exploded during its last two test flights, scattering debris across the Caribbean. SpaceX is still working to fix the root cause of those failures. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News.

Jury's election is expected to wrap up Wednesday in the sex trafficking and rapeteering conspiracy case against Sean Diddy Combs in New York. The hip-hop mogul has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which include kidnapping and arson. U.S. futures are higher in after-hours trading on Wall Street. On Asia, Pacific market shares are also in positive territory. This is NPR News. You may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block territory. This is NPR News.