NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-05-2025 6AM EDT

Episode Date: April 5, 2025

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This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com slash switch. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The U.S. began collecting President Trump's new 10 percent baseline tariff on all foreign imports today. It took effect at midnight Eastern. Trump's Wednesday announcement to the baseline and higher tariffs on dozens of countries

has led to steep losses on global stock markets. The Internal Revenue Service cutting more jobs ahead of the April 15th tax filing deadline in pure Shannon Bond reports. The IRS notified employees by email on Friday that mass reductions are coming across offices and job categories. The goal, it said, is to quote, increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS.

The cuts come during the agency's busiest time of year, with the tax deadline looming, and will roll out in phases. The IRS's Office of Civil Rights and Compliance is the first affected, the email said. The agency is cutting 75% of jobs in that office and says it will transfer remaining staff to another department. The IRS didn't say how many jobs it plans to eliminate in total. It already cut more than 6,000 positions in February. Shannon Bond, NPR News.

The Supreme Court has sided with the Trump administration in a dispute over the education department's freeze of millions of dollars in DEI-related grants, NPR's Alyssa Nadwarni reports. By a five-to-four vote, the justices allowed the administration to cancel grant funding for teacher training programs at public and private universities. The grant was for two programs that provided training and professional development for aspiring educators. Many high need institutions, including historically black colleges and universities, were among the recipients. Eight states whose universities and nonprofits had their grants terminated sued, arguing that the Department of Education's

decision to cancel the grants violated federal law, as the money had already been appropriated by Congress. In response, the government argued that it was well within its broad regulatory authority to cancel the grants because, quote, DEI initiatives are no longer aligned with government policy. Alyson Adwani, NPR News. So, Ukraine disputing Russia's claim. Moscow targeted military meeting, a missile struck a residential area killing at least 18 people, including nine children. The strike launched on President Zelensky's hometown, as NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

Ukraine says the Iskander-M ballistic missile equipped with a cluster warhead struck near apartment blocks and a playground in the town of Kriviri and was meant to terrorize civilians. Russia continues its nightly attacks on Ukraine's cities, even as it gives the appearance of engaging in U.S. brokered ceasefire talks. Analysts say Russia is employing strike packages predominantly comprised of drones because it is likely growing its missile stockpile. Zelensky says President Putin has no intention of stopping the war and that Russia is preparing a large-scale spring offensive, possibly for May.

Eleanor Beardley, NPR News, Lviv, Ukraine. This is NPR News. On Capitol Hill overnight, Senate Republicans moved forward on President Trump's tax cut agenda. They overcame united democratic opposition, approving a blueprint that extends President Trump's 2017 cuts and sharply reduces government spending. The debate over the measure now moves to the House. Opponents of President Trump and Elon Musk

are planning to rally in cities across the US today. The more than 1,200 of what are being called hands-off demonstrations have been organized by more than 150 groups, protests planned in all 50 states. The defrocked former Archbishop of Washington, D.C. has died. Theodore McCarrick was 94. NPR's Jason DeRose reports. Jason DeRose In 2019, Pope Francis defrocked Theodore McCarrick after an internal church investigation found he had sexually molested multiple victims over many years. Later, the Vatican issued a report saying

that Pope John Paul II promoted him despite knowledge of sexual abuse allegations. In 2023, a Massachusetts court found McCarrick not competent to stand trial for sexual abuse of a 16-year-old boy there due to a dementia diagnosis. The former Archbishop had pleaded not guilty prior to the judge dismissing the case. McCarrick had one of the highest ranking positions in the Roman Catholic Church and is the only U.S. Cardinal ever to face sex abuse charges. Jason DeRose, NPR News. And hockey, the great one one no longer stands alone. The Washington

Capitals Alex Ovechkin scored his 894th goal last night equaling Wayne Gretzky's NHL record. I'm Trial Snyder, NPR News.