NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-03-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: May 3, 2025

NPR News: 05-03-2025 12PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever You Get Your Podcasts. Noora Romm Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noora Romm. A 25% tariff on imported auto parts is now in effect.

President Trump has offered a partial reprieve for automakers, but as NPR's Kamila Dominovski reports, the tariffs are still expected to have a major impact on the auto industry. Kami Kinn This week, President Trump announced that reports, the tariffs are still expected to have a major impact on the auto industry. This week, President Trump announced that automakers importing foreign parts for U.S.-built cars could get reimbursed for some tariffs, temporarily, in recognition of the fact that it's not possible to build a car with exclusively U.S. parts right now. The industry welcomed the changes, but the tariffs are still expected to cut profits and drive up prices.

The reprieve doesn't extend to anyone buying parts for repairs, so the tariff will make it more costly to maintain existing cars, as well as sending insurance prices, which have been rising for several years, up even higher. Camila Dominochki, NPR News. The Environmental Protection Agency is planning a major overhaul to its scientific research wing and is signaling that deep staffing cuts are on the way. Experts say that could endanger EPA's world-renowned science. NPR's Alejandra Burunda reports.

The reorganization plan targets EPA's Office of Research and Development. Scientists in that office assess the health risks of contaminants like PFAS and air pollution. Their work informs the implementation of laws like the Clean Air Act. Jennifer Ormza-Valeta recently retired from EPA after 40 years. She says slashing or changing the independent research wing could endanger public health. By splitting things up or eliminating that expertise, we put people at greater risk and put this country at greater risk. EPA leadership plans to move some scientists into new roles in other parts of the agency, but they warned staff to expect significant cuts in the coming

weeks. Alejandra Burunda, NPR News. Australia's governing Labour Party, led by Anthony Albanese, has won the general election coming from behind during a campaign overshadowed by President Trump's tariffs. In his victory speech, Albanese told supporters that Labor would lead a majority in parliament. With a deep sense of humility and a profound sense of responsibility responsibility that the first thing that I do tonight is to say thank you to the people of Australia for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on earth. Opposition leader Peter Dutton acknowledged defeat. He also lost his own seat in the parliament.

The Pakistani military says it successfully test-fired a ballistic missile today. The surface-to-surface missile has a range of about 280 miles. The test comes amid rising tensions with India over the disputed Kashmir region. At least 26 people were killed last month in an attack on a tourist destination. This is NPR News in Washington. The medical charity Doctors Without Borders says one of its hospitals was hit by an airstrike in a remote part of South Sudan early this morning. Officials told the Associated Press at least seven people were killed, including a nine-month-old child. The facility is said to be the only source of medical care for 40,000 people, including many displaced by flooding. The attack took place in an area seen as aligned

with a party opposed to the government. At the Vatican, preparations are underway for the conclave scheduled to begin Wednesday. NPR's Jason DeRose reports from Rome that one of the most recognizable signs of the papal election is now visible from St. Peter's Square. The Vatican Fire Brigade has installed the famous chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. After Cardinals vote for the next pontiff, their ballots are burned. If the smoke from the chimney is black, it means no one reached the required two-thirds majority to be named Pope. If the smoke is white, it means they've elected the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. This Wednesday, the cardinal electors will begin

their day with a morning mass in St. Peter's Basilica. They'll then process to the Sistine Chapel. Once there, a master of ceremonies commands extra omnis, sending out everyone except the voting cardinals. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome. Rain could complicate today's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. There are 19 horses in the race and 13 of them have never raced on a wet track, including journalism, which is a three-to-one favorite in the horse race. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.