NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-05-2025 2PM EST

Episode Date: March 5, 2025

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A lot happens in Washington every day, from the White House to Capitol Hill and everywhere in between. That's where we come in. On the NPR Politics Podcast, we keep you up to date on what happens inside Washington and what it means for you and your community. The NPR Politics Podcast, listen wherever you listen. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump plans to grant U.S. automakers a reprieve from new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt offered details at a press briefing a short

time ago. We spoke with the big three auto dealers. We are going to give a one-month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2nd. In his speech to a joint session of Congress last night, President Trump asked for patience when it comes to tariffs and the economy. NPR's Frank Ordonez reports that from Congress's perspective, the next major legislative fight will be over the federal budget and tax cuts.

Republicans largely support the tax cuts, but there is concern about Trump's proposal to pass a funding bill to avert a government shutdown and Trump and House leaders want to avoid a shutdown but some Republicans these hardline conservatives want to have a fight to cut more spending so it is an issue. NPR is Frank Ordonez. The administration's rehiring some staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who were fired just a few weeks ago. NPR has learned CDC employees who had previously received termination letters were notified yesterday they should return to work. Here's NPR's Will Stone. It's an

abrupt reversal. In mid-February, at least 750 CDC staff were fired as part of the mass job cuts across the federal government. Now, an unknown number of CDC staff have received identical emails telling them to come back to work right away. That's according to more than half a dozen sources at the CDC who were not authorized to speak publicly. Staff in several parts of the agency have been rehired, including members of two training fellowship programs. The notices do not offer protections against future reductions in force to government agencies, which was ordered by President Trump last month. The CDC did not respond to a request for comment.

Will Stone, NPR News. The Justice Department says a suspected member of the Islamic State Group in Afghanistan has been arrested and brought to the U.S. to face terrorism charges. He was accused of being involved in the Kabul airport bombing in 2021 that killed 13 U.S. Marines and roughly 160 civilians. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas. The defendant, Mohammed Sharifullah, allegedly had a hand in the planning of three terrorist attacks, one at a mall in Russia and two in Afghanistan. That includes the blast at Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal. Court papers say Sharifullah scouted out a route for the suicide

bomber who ultimately carried out the attack. Thirteen American service members and more than 160 civilians were killed. Court papers say Sharifullah acknowledged his role in that attack in an interview with FBI agents. The FBI says Sharifullah arrived in the U.S. overnight and is expected to make his first appearance in federal court in Virginia. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR. The U.S. is imposing more visa restrictions. Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy that targets foreign immigration, customs, airport, and port authority officials

who the Trump administration believes facilitate illegal immigration to the United States. The world's largest iceberg, which has been adrift for years, has finally stopped moving in the South Atlantic Ocean. The huge slab of ice stopped short of colliding into the South Georgia island where scientists feared it could hurt penguin and seal populations and Piers Carey-Kahn has details. The giant iceberg known as A23A measures about 1,300 square miles. That's more than four times the size of Manhattan. It broke from the Antarctic shelf decades ago in a process known as calving, but remained

stuck until it headed towards South Georgia Island in 2020. British researchers on the island feared a direct hit could hurt breeding and feeding for millions of mammals and birds, but now believe the iceberg is far enough offshore, about 50 miles, that it may not cause damage and might even enhance nutrients and ocean productivity. Huge icebergs are normal but scientists warn the world's ice shelves are experiencing massive losses due to global warming. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro. Danielle Pletka Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated

the National Guard to assist in emergency storm operations in the state. Fremont County officials are asking for help following reports of multiple collisions and stranded motorists. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 428 points or more than 1%. It's NPR.