NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-01-2025 4PM EDT

Episode Date: May 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump plans to move his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, from the White House to the United Nations. NPR's Asma Khalid reports the president is nominating Waltz for UN ambassador. Waltz had come under pressure the last several weeks after he accidentally invited a journalist to a private text chat among Trump administration officials about military strikes on the Houthis in Yemen. In public, the president defended Waltz and downplayed the incident.

Even in making this announcement, the president praised Waltz for putting the nation's interests first. This is the first major personnel shakeup of Trump's second term. The president made the announcement on his social media site saying that in the interim Marco Rubio will be national security adviser in addition to his existing job as the secretary of state. Asma Khalid, NPR News, The White House. The U.S. is expected to gain access to Ukraine's critical minerals and other natural resources under a landmark deal that was several tense months in the making. The

former ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, says both sides win. It's fair and balanced on both sides, the American and Ukrainian. Both sides are pleased with it, are satisfied, and both sides will benefit. The agreement does not mandate Ukraine pay back the USAID it's received in its defense against Russia, even though President Trump had previously framed it as reimbursement. A Trump-appointed federal judge in Texas has ruled that the president's use of the Alien Enemies Act is unlawful. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. says the use of the 18th century wartime law

to detain and deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang from South Texas is, quote, contrary to the plain, ordinary meaning of the statute's terms, end quote. The president visits Alabama today to speak in advance of the University of Alabama's spring commencement. Noelle Ananan with member station WBHM says some students plan to protest the president's visit. UA student Democrats president, Braden Vick says, he's concerned President Trump's visit has become too much of a distraction. The president has taken the focus off of the graduates. The commencement ceremony is for us,

it's not for the president, he's not graduating. UA college Republicans released a statement saying they are proud to welcome Trump and disappointed in the quote, inflammatory response from their liberal counterparts who they say do not represent their student body. Some students are planning to protest. The Trump administration's recent targeting of non-citizens in higher education led to an Alabama PhD student being detained by immigration and customs enforcement earlier this year.

For NPR News, I'm Noelle Annenen in Birmingham. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 83 points at 40,752. The S&P rose 35 points and the NASDAQ was up 264 points. From Washington, this is NPR News. The Illinois woman who was behind the wheel of the car that plowed through an after-school camp and killed four students earlier this week may have been experiencing a medical emergency at the time. Authorities say so far, there's no evidence of driving under the influence and no charges

have been filed. May Day rallies in defense of workers' rights and social justice are being held around the globe. Reuters capturing big crowds marching through the French Capitol among other major cities around the world where demonstrations were held. The nominations are in for the 2025 Tony Awards, Broadway's highest honors from New York. Jeff Ledin highlights the nominees. George Clooney got his first Tony nomination for Good Night and Good Luck as Best Actor in a play he co-authored, which has been breaking box office records.

Sadie Sink picked up a Best Actress nomination for her role in John Proctor as the villain. In the musical category, Audra McDonald got her record-breaking 11th Tony nomination for Best Actress in Gypsy. Also in the Best Actress category, Nicole Scherzinger, formerly of the Pussycat Dolls, got a nod for Sunset Boulevard, and newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers picked up a nomination for Boop. For NBR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. US stocks end the day higher.

The Nasdaq closed up 1.5% or 264 points to end the day at 17,710. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.