NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-02-2025 8AM EDT

Episode Date: May 2, 2025

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Look, we get it. When it comes to new music, there is a lot of it, and it all comes really fast. But on All Songs Considered, NPR's music recommendation podcast, we'll handpick what we think is the greatest music happening right now and give you your next great listen. So kick back, settle in, get those eardrums wide open, and get your dose of new music from All Songs Considered, only from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, on Korova Coleman, President Trump is replacing his national security adviser, Mike Walz. He'll nominate him as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. And Bear's Asmohallad reports this is the first major staff shakeup of Trump's second

term. Walz has been under pressure since March when he inadvertently added a journalist to a text chain about U.S. military strikes in Yemen. But Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News this change had nothing to do with that group chat incident. The media wants to frame this as a firing. Donald Trump has fired a lot of people. He doesn't give them Senate-confirmed appointments afterwards. Vance also insisted this move is not indicative of an ideological fight in the administration,

though Walz is known as being more hawkish than many others in Trump's inner circle. The president also announced that for the time being, Secretary Marco Rubio will take on the role of national security adviser while also maintaining his job leading the State Department. Asma Khalid, NPR News. Congress is moving ahead with an effort to block California's electric vehicle mandate. From member station KQED, Guy Marzerati has more. The Biden administration allowed California to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, but the House of Representatives has now voted to undo that

permission. California Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley says California's rules could affect car sales nationally given the state's large market. Americans should be able to drive a car of their choice, not one that is chosen for them by the government. The rollback faces an uncertain path in the U.S. Senate where the independent rulemaker says it would take 60 votes to block California's ban.

For NPR News, I'm Guy Marzorotti in San Jose. A new study suggests hearing loss disproportionately affects white men compared to people who are black or female. NPR's YukiNaguchi has more. Nearly everyone, as they age, will eventually lose some hearing. But the study finds hearing loss starts earlier and is worse among white men. In the study, about half of the white people enrolled showed hearing loss, for example, compared to 30 percent of those who are black.

Among men, 56 percent of them had some hearing loss, and so did 38% of women. The study suggests tailored interventions might address specific needs of demographic groups. There are other factors, such as smoking, obesity, socioeconomic status, as well as noise exposure, that can also increase the chances of losing one's hearing. The study appeared in the Journal of American Medical Association's head and neck surgery publication. Yukinoguchi, NPR News. The Labor Department releases its latest monthly snapshot on jobs today.

It's not clear if federal job cuts will be strongly reflected in this report. This is NPR. President Trump has issued an executive order attempting to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. He has accused both organizations of left-wing political bias. Trump is banning local public radio and TV stations from using taxpayer dollars to support the media organizations. Both NPR and PBS have repeatedly said each is fair in their coverage. The International Court of Justice wraps up a week of hearings today on Israel's conduct in the war in Gaza.

The UN's High Court is discussing Israel's ban on the UN agency aiding Palestinians. NPR's Hadil Al-Shilchi has more. More than 40 countries have been urging the UN's top court to condemn Israel for blocking aid to Palestinians. They say an Israeli law banning the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, known as UNRWA, is a violation of international law. The UN charges that the ban is a violation of the charter to which Israel is a signatory. The International Court of Justice issues advisory non-binding opinions.

There are no penalties to ignoring them. Israel does not abide by the rulings of the court, which it says is biased against Israel. Israel has blocked all aid, including food, from entering Gaza for two months, saying it is a tactic to pressure Hamas to release more hostages. Hadeel Al-Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv. President Trump is threatening to impose U.S. sanctionsil Alshalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv. President Trump is threatening to impose US sanctions on anyone who buys Iranian oil. Writing

online, the president says any country or person who does won't be able to do business with the US. This comes as talks between the US and Iran over Iran's nuclear program have been postponed. This is NPR.