NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-06-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: May 6, 2025

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This is Ira Glass, the host of This American Life. So much is changing so rapidly right now with President Trump in office. It feels good to pause for a moment sometimes and look around at what's what. To try and do that, we've been finding these incredible stories about right now that are funny and have feeling and you get to see people everywhere making sense of this new America that we find ourselves in. This American Life, wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The Department of Homeland Security is offering

a one-time stipend to people who quote, self-deport, details from NPR's Simeon Abustiyo. DHS said it will give $1,000 to people who use the CBP Home app to return to their home countries. The money will allegedly be paid after they confirm their arrival through the app. They say this is a way to make it cheaper to remove people from the US. According to DHS, it costs $17,000 to arrest, detain, and remove one person. But questions remain on the effectiveness of the program.

Immigrant rights advocates say there isn't incentive for immigrants to trust the administration will follow through on payments or the promise that they can return. Currently, someone may have to wait 10 years before trying to return. An illegal entry could adversely affect a future immigration application. Hima Nibustio, NPR News, Washington. President Trump says he'll eventually lower tariffs on China, but promises no relief for small businesses. Trump made the comments during an interview with NBC's Meet the Press host, Kristen Welker. NPR's Luke Garrett has more.

President Trump was asked by NBC News whether he'd lower tariffs on China in order to start trade negotiations. At some point, I'm going to lower them because otherwise you could never do business with them. Meanwhile, some small businesses that rely on Chinese imports say they're struggling with the 145% tariffs on some goods from China. When asked if these businesses would receive government relief, Trump said, They're not going to need it.

Okay. They're going to make so much money. Are these tariffs? If you build your product here. Following Trump's new tariff policy against China and other nations, no trade deals have been made by the White House yet. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. Danielle Pletka Toymaker Mattel says it'll have to raise

prices on some products to offset President Trump's tariffs. But the California-based Toymaker says at least 40 percent of its toys will cost $20 or less. Mattel says it's focused on getting products to stores without interruption. The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate is calling for an investigation into the ongoing flight disruptions at Newark Liberty International Airport. Details from NPR's Giles Snyder. Giles Snyder, NPR's New York City Senator, New York, Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer is asking the Transportation Department's watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, to investigate the flight disruptions at Newark, where travelers have faced hours-long delays and cancellations

since last week. He's warning that problems could spread to other airports around the country. The chaos at Newark could very well be a harbinger if issues like these aren't fixed. The delays at Newark are being blamed on outdated equipment used by air traffic controllers, and the FAA says the stress caused by equipment failure has led some controllers to take time off. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News that he will unveil a plan to address the problems on Thursday.

Trial Snider, NPR News. U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading. This is NPR. President Trump says he wants to reopen Alcatraz, a former maximum security prison on an island off San Francisco. Alcatraz was closed over 60 years ago because of high operating expenses, then estimated to be triple the cost of running any other federal prison. Trump says reopening Alcatraz will serve as a symbol

of law, order and justice. Pakistan has test-fired its second missile in as many days amid rising tensions with India. From Mumbai, NPR's Diya Hadid reports that the missile test followed a deadly attack that killed 26 mostly Hindu men in Indian-held Kashmir. India sees the group that claimed responsibility for the attack as a proxy for the Pakistani military. In an initial response, it also suspended a water treaty it shares with Pakistan. Pakistan denies any connection, but says it will defend itself and says the water treaty is existential for the country. On Monday, Pakistani state media reported the military test-fired a missile that has

a range of about 74 miles. That follows a test-firing of a surface-to-surface missile on Saturday that has a range of about 280 miles. Pakistani state media say the test- fires were to ensure operational readiness. Dhiya Hadid, NPR News, Mumbai. Again, U.S. futures are flat and after hours trading on Wall Street following Monday's losses the Dow fell 98 points. On Asia Pacific markets, shares are mixed at this hour. This is NPR News.

You may have heard that President Trump has issued an executive order seeking to block at this hour. This is NPR News.