NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-05-2025 3PM EDT

Episode Date: April 5, 2025

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These days, there is a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, your family, and your community. Consider This from NPR is a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory, and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider This Podcast from NPR. NURRARAM Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nurram. Shortly before three o'clock this morning, the Republican-led U.S. Senate approved a blueprint for trillions of dollars in spending for tax, defense, and immigration policy. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports.

CLAUDIA GRISALES Congressional Republicans are racing to enact key elements of President Trump's domestic policy, but Senate and House lawmakers already face some major divides on what that final multi-trillion dollar measure should look like. It reimagines defense, energy, immigration, and tax policy spending, including plans to extend tax cuts passed during Trump's first term and lifting the US debt limit by $5 trillion to avert a potential breach this summer.

But House Republican fiscal hawks say the Senate blueprint does not reduce enough of the federal deficit, with some saying it's time to cut into Medicaid. Claudia Gonzalez, NPR News. Wall Street had its worst day in five years yesterday. The Dow fell more than 2,000 points. Stocks started dropping after President Trump announced he's imposing tariffs on most imported products. NPR's Maria Aspin reports the sell-off hurts most Americans.

About 60% of US households own stocks, according to the Federal Reserve. And you know, the market is where people usually have their retirement savings invested through 401Ks or other retirement plans. But President Trump, who once really cared about how the stock market was doing, seems to be shrugging off this week's crash and what it means for all of his constituents. He posted on Truth Social this morning that, my policies will never change and this is a great time to get rich. NPR's Maria Aspin, the official death toll in Myanmar has passed 3,300. Thousands more are injured or missing more than a week after the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the country.

Michael Sullivan reports from neighboring Thailand. The UN's top relief official visited one of the hardest hit areas in the city of Mandalay and urged more aid for those affected by the quake. Neighboring China, India, and others are on the ground with relief teams and supplies. The US response has been limited to a handful of advisors due partly to the gutting of USAID until recently the world's top humanitarian donor. The Reuters news agency reports three USAID workers who arrived in Myanmar have been told they are being let go too, according to a former colleague. The UN has also

accused Myanmar's ruling military junta of restricting aid supplies to some areas amid reports the junta has reneged on its pledge for a three-week-long ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Chiang Rai. And you're listening to NPR News in Washington. The National Weather Service is forecasting more rain today in parts of the south and midwest already soaked by days of severe storms. The spring storm system stretches from Texas to Ohio.

Several communities are still recovering from tornadoes this week that destroyed entire neighborhoods. At least eight people died. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says a nine-year-old boy was killed by floodwaters in his state as he walked to a school bus stop. Southern Food is being recognized by one of the biggest names in the international culinary world. Matt Bloom with member station WWNO reports, Michelin says it will create a new regional guide for

the U.S. self. It's the first time that Michelin will create a regional version of its renowned dining guides, which award coveted stars to top restaurants. The new southern guide will include restaurants in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee. Michelin North America says its inspectors are already in the field, making reservations and scouting for culinary gems in a region known for its hearty soul food. First published in France, Michelin has been advising diners for over a century.

A list of finalists in the U.S. South is expected later this year. For NPR News, I'm Matt Blum in New Orleans. In hockey, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored the 894th goal of his career last night, matching the record of hockey great Wayne Gretzky when he retired 26 years ago. Ovechkin will get a chance to break his record since the Caps have six games left this season. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News. Imagine if you will a show from NPR that Rahm, NPR News.