NPR News: 03-05-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: March 5, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Source: NPR News
Description: The latest news in five minutes, updated hourly.

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1. U.S. Auto Tariffs: Reprieve Granted for U.S. Automakers

Timestamp: [00:14 – 00:29]

President Trump has announced a temporary suspension of new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican automotive goods, providing a brief reprieve for U.S. automakers. This decision comes amidst ongoing trade negotiations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, explained the specifics during a recent press briefing:

“We are going to give a one month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2nd.”
[00:29]

2. Legislative Battles: Federal Budget and Tax Cuts

Timestamp: [00:41 – 01:16]

In his recent address to a joint session of Congress, President Trump called for patience regarding the administration’s tariff policies and the broader economy. However, the administration faces significant legislative challenges ahead, particularly concerning the federal budget and proposed tax cuts.

Frank Ordonez reports on the internal dynamics within Congress:

“Republicans largely support the tax cuts, but there is concern about Trump's proposal to pass a funding bill to avert a government shutdown. And Trump and House leaders want to avoid a shutdown. But some Republicans, these hardline conservatives, want to have a fight to cut more spending. So it is an issue.”
[00:56]

This division highlights potential hurdles in passing the administration’s fiscal agenda, with hardline conservatives pushing for deeper spending cuts versus the leadership's desire to maintain government operations.

3. CDC Staff Rehiring: Reversal of Job Cuts

Timestamp: [01:18 – 02:12]

In a surprising move, the Trump administration is reversing previous job cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staff members who were terminated in mid-February have been instructed to return to work.

Will Stone, NPR's reporter, provides insight:

“It's an abrupt reversal. In mid February, at least seven hundred and fifty CDC staff were fired as part of the mass job cuts across the federal government. Now an unknown number of CDC staff have received identical emails telling them to come back to work right away.”
[01:32]

The rehiring includes personnel from two training fellowship programs. However, the notices did not include protections against future workforce reductions, aligning with President Trump’s directive for ongoing federal agency downsizing.

4. ISIS Suspect Arrested for Kabul Airport Bombing

Timestamp: [02:12 – 03:10]

The Justice Department has apprehended Mohammed Sharifullah, a suspected member of the Islamic State Group, who is accused of orchestrating the devastating Kabul airport bombing in 2021. This attack resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. Marines and approximately 160 civilians during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Ryan Lucas, NPR’s correspondent, elaborates:

“The defendant, Mohammed Sharifullah, allegedly had hand in the planning of three terrorist attacks, one at a mall in Russia and two in Afghanistan. That includes the blast at Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport during the US Withdrawal. Court papers say Sharifullah scouted out a route for the suicide bomber, who ultimately carried out the attack.”
[02:31]

Sharifullah has acknowledged his involvement in the Kabul attack during an interview with FBI agents. He has been brought to the United States and is expected to make his first court appearance in Virginia imminently.

5. New Visa Restrictions Announced by State Department

Timestamp: [03:13 – 03:30]

In efforts to curb illegal immigration, the U.S. is implementing stricter visa restrictions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a policy targeting foreign officials in immigration, customs, airport, and port authorities who are believed to facilitate unauthorized entries into the United States.

“The U.S. is imposing more visa restrictions targeting foreign officials who facilitate illegal immigration.”
[03:13]

This policy aims to pressure countries to tighten their immigration enforcement and reduce the flow of undocumented immigrants into the U.S.

6. World's Largest Iceberg Avoids Collision with South Georgia Island

Timestamp: [03:30 – 04:32]

A massive iceberg, identified as A23A, has come to a halt in the South Atlantic Ocean, averting a feared collision with South Georgia Island. This iceberg, spanning approximately 1,300 square miles, is more than four times the size of Manhattan.

Carrie Kahn, NPR’s environment correspondent, provides detailed coverage:

“The iceberg is far enough offshore, about 50 miles, that it may not cause damage and might even enhance nutrients and ocean productivity. Huge icebergs are normal, but scientists warn the world's ice shelves are experiencing massive losses due to global warming.”
[03:49]

Originally calving from the Antarctic shelf decades ago, A23A remained stationary until its drift towards South Georgia Island in 2020 posed potential threats to local wildlife. The iceberg's current position suggests minimal impact on penguin and seal populations, though it underscores the broader implications of climate change on global ice formations.

7. Minnesota National Guard Deployed Amid Storm; Stock Market Update

Timestamp: [04:32 – 04:48]

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota has activated the National Guard to support emergency storm operations across the state. Freeborn County officials reported multiple vehicular accidents and stranded motorists, necessitating additional assistance.

In financial news, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw significant gains:

“At last check on Wall street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 428 points, or more than 1%.”
[04:32 – 04:48]

This surge reflects positive market sentiment amidst ongoing economic and political developments.

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Conclusion:
Today's episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical national and international issues, including trade policies, legislative challenges, public health workforce changes, counterterrorism efforts, immigration controls, environmental events, and emergency responses. Notable quotes and detailed reports offer listeners a thorough understanding of the current news landscape.

Transcript

[Carvana]

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump plans to grant U.S. automakers a reprieve from new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt offered details at a press briefing a short time ago.

[Caroline Levitt]

We spoke with the big three auto dealers. We are going to give a one month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2nd.

[Lakshmi Singh]

In his speech to a joint session of Congress last night, President Trump asked for patience when it comes to tariffs and the economy.

[Frank Ordonez]

NPR's Frank Ordonez reports that from Congress's.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Perspective, the next major legislative fight will be over the federal budget and tax cuts.

[Unnamed Republican]

Republicans largely support the tax cuts, but there is concern about Trump's proposal to pass a funding bill to avert a government shutdown. And Trump and House leaders want to avoid a shutdown. But some Republicans, these hardline conservatives, want to have a fight to cut more spending. So it is an issue.

[Frank Ordonez]

NPR's Frank Ordonez.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The administration's rehiring some staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who were fired just a few weeks ago.

[Frank Ordonez]

NPR has learned CDC employees who had.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Previously received termination letters were notified yesterday they should return to work.

[Frank Ordonez]

Here's NPR's Will Stone.

[Will Stone]

It's an abrupt reversal. In mid February, at least seven hundred and fifty CDC staff were fired as part of the mass job cuts across the federal government. Now an unknown number of CDC staff have received identical emails telling them to come back to work right away. That's according to more than half a dozen sources at the CDC who were not authorized to speak publicly. Staff in several parts of the agency have been rehired, including members of two training fellowship programs. The notices do not offer protections against future reductions in force to government agencies, which was ordered by President Trump last month. The CDC did not respond to a request for comment. Will Stone, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Justice Department says a suspected member of the Islamic State Group in Afghanistan has been arrested and brought to the US to face terrorism charges. He's accused of being involved in the Kabul airport bombing in 2021 that killed 13 U.S. marines and roughly 160 civilians.

[Frank Ordonez]

Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas.

[Ryan Lucas]

The defendant, Mohammed Sharifullah, allegedly had hand in the planning of three terrorist attacks, one at a mall in Russia and two in Afghanistan. That includes the blast at Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport during the US Withdrawal. Court papers say Sharifullah scouted out a route for the suicide bomber, who ultimately carried out the attack. Thirteen American service members and more than 160 civilians were killed. Court papers say Sharifullah acknowledged his role in that attack in an interview with FBI agents. The FBI says Sharifullah arrived in the US Overnight and is expected to make his first appearance in federal court in Virginia. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Frank Ordonez]

This is NPR.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The U.S. is imposing more visa restrictions. Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy that targets foreign immigration, customs, airport and port authority officials who the Trump administration believes facilitate illegal immigration.

[Frank Ordonez]

To the United States.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The world's largest iceberg, which has been adrift for years, has finally stopped moving in the South Atlantic Ocean. The huge slab of ice stopped short of colliding into South Georgia island, where scientists feared it could hurt penguin and seal populations.

[Frank Ordonez]

NPR's Carrie Kahn has details.

[Carrie Kahn]

The giant iceberg, known as A23A, measures about 1300 square miles. That's more than four times the size of Manhattan. It broke from the Antarctic shelf decades ago in a process known as calving, but remained stuck until it headed toward South Georgia island in 2020. British researchers on the island feared a direct hit could hurt breeding and feeding for millions of mammals and birds, but now believe the iceberg is far enough offshore, about 50 miles, that it may not cause damage and might even enhance nutrients and ocean productivity. Huge icebergs are normal, but scientists warn the world's ice shelves are experiencing massive losses due to global warming. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walsh has activated the National Guard to assist in emergency storm operations in the state. Freeborn county officials are asking for help following reports of multiple collisions and stranded motorists. At last check on Wall street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 428.

[Frank Ordonez]

Points, or more than 1%. It's NPR.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.