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Episode Date: May 5, 2025

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In Syria, the Assad regime imprisoned not just men and women. They also took children and hid them away. The women were asking, why do they want the children? On the Sunday story correspondent Diya Hadid investigates what happened to the disappeared children of Syria. Listen now to the Sunday story on the Up First podcast from NPR. Laxmey Singh Live from NPR News, I'm Laxmey Singh. President Trump says Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL draft on the National Mall. He predicts a surge in tourism dollars from the big event, which is scheduled around the same time, campaigning for the 2028 presidential elections expected to ramp up. Today Trump was flanked by the mayor of DC, the owner of the Washington commanders, and

the commissioner of the NFL when he made the announcement. Hollywood is bracing for Trump's tariffs. The president says he plans to talk to members of the film industry about imposing duties on foreign-produced movies. So we're gonna meet with the industry. I want to make sure they're happy with it because we're all about jobs. That's all what I'm, you know, it's very important. It's a big industry, but it's an industry now that's It's really left. It's abandoned The usa where it started The president appeared to suggest that tariff relief may be spurring canadian prime minister mark. Carney's visit to the white house tomorrow

Trump says he doesn't know what to expect, but guesses he wants to make a deal. This is the day the US Department of Education says it will begin collections on defaulted federal student loans. More from NPR's Cory Turner. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said late last month that today the Education Department would resume what's known as the Treasury Offset Program. That means the roughly 5 million borrowers who are now in default on their federal student loans and haven't made a payment in at least 270 days could soon see the federal government seize a portion of their tax refunds or Social Security benefits.

The Department says this summer it will also begin garnishing the wages of borrowers in default. These measures are not unprecedented. They've just been paused for five years since the pandemic began. Borrowers can learn more about how to get out of default at studentaid.gov. Kori Turner, NPR News. An exhibit in a federal building in Washington that honored victims of gun violence no longer exists. The administration has taken down the memorial created by the Department of Justice under

President Biden. NPR's Kristen Wright reports some families are upset. The Trump administration removed all 120 portraits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Robert Godwin Sr.'s portrait and biography were part of the faces of gun violence exhibit. His daughter Brenda Joyner is upset, especially because she wasn't notified beforehand. Should there have been some bit of notification to us? Absolutely. But do I want my pictures, dad's pictures sitting at the bottom of a dumpster? Hell no.

No. The Justice Department in a statement to NPR says, quote, the ATF will continue to honor the memory of all victims of violent crime while at the same time preserving the rights of law abiding Americans. A spokesman didn't answer a question asking where the portraits are now. Kristin Wright, NPR News. From Washington, this is NPR. Vatican staff are being sworn to secrecy at the risk of excommunication as 133 cardinals prepare to start the process Wednesday of selecting a new pope.

And Piero Silvio Poggioli has more. The cardinals are expected to observe secrecy, but there have been some leaks that suggest the various factions have begun to face off. The progressives who embrace the reforms to face off, the progressives who embrace the reforms of Pope Francis, the conservatives and traditionalists who want to slow down the pace of reform, if not reverse it completely, and the centrists who are somewhere in between. NPR's Sylvia Pujoli reporting. This week marks 80 years since the end of World War II, and several countries in Europe

are holding commemorations. Today, Britain launched four days of parades and memorials for what it calls VE Day, Victory in Europe Day. And Pierre's Lauren Fraire has more from London. Big Ben's bells signaled the start of a military parade toward Buckingham Palace and an actor's recitation of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill's famous speech 80 years ago this week. My dear friends, this is your hour. Announcing that Britain and its allies had accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender.

King Charles stood at attention saluting troops, including Ukrainian soldiers taking part this year. The royals and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer were mixed in on a parade stand with World War II veterans, some with walking sticks and wheelchairs. Lauren Friar, NPR News, London. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News. You're listening to the NPR Network. Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.