Loading summary
Transcript13 lines
- [00:00]
Nature Conservancy
This message comes from the Nature Conservancy. Working together to create a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature. Explore ways to act during Earth Month and every month@nature.org NPR.
- [00:16]
Shea Stevens
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Hours after his new terrorists kicked in on Wednesday, President Trump paused the levies on most countries for 90 days. The move follows wild swings on global stock markets. As NPR's Mara Liasson reports, the temporary reprieve does not apply to China.
- [00:35]
Mara Liasson
There's still an across the board tariff of 10% on imports coming into the US for all countries. But in the case of China, Trump has raised the tariffs to a total of 125% because China retaliated against his original tariffs. For all the other countries that were supposed to have reciprocal tariffs put on, there's going to now be a series of negotiations instead during the next 90 days. And it's still not exactly clear what the White House is looking for in those talks. Maybe concessions, even small ones that he can call victories. So he gets an off ramp to climb down from an all out trade war. Or maybe he's trying to eliminate the trade imbalances with all the countries in the world. We don't know because he's never been clear about what the purpose of the tariffs were.
- [01:17]
Shea Stevens
NPR's Mara Liasson. House Republican leaders are postponing a vote on a multitrillion dollar budget framework for advancing much of President Trump's domestic agenda. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports, the delay is result of opposition from within the Republican conference.
- [01:34]
Barbara Sprunt
After more than an hour behind closed doors with more than a dozen members, House Speaker Mike Johnson said the House would not vote as planned in the evening on a signature measure for President Trump. He said they delay until the morning and continue the conversation with members who argue the Senate amendment on the table doesn't sufficiently address the deficit. Opposition has been brewing among conservative House members for days, despite direct pressure from Trump, who called on the conference to quickly pass the measure. The delay is the latest in a series of setbacks for a bill that is meant to be the first step in a lengthy process, one that will require the Senate and the House to come to agreement. Barbara Sprunt, NPR news.
- [02:14]
Shea Stevens
The Capitol U.S. and Russian delegations will hold talks Thursday on normalizing relations between the two countries. But as NPR's Charles Mainz explains, the meeting will be held in Istanbul and peace in Ukraine is not on the agenda.
- [02:28]
Charles Maynes
These discussions will seek to restore staffing at each country's respective embassy and consulates. The that's after years of tit for tat expulsions and seizures of diplomatic compounds left both the US And Russia barely able to provide basic services. Moscow's newly appointed ambassador to the US Alexander Derchayev, will lead the Russian delegation. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe Sonata Colter will head up the American team. While the return of diplomats would seem low hanging fruit for negotiations, it's not without controversy. Critics in both Washington and Moscow argue past expulsions were used to weed out spies working under diplomatic coverage. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.
- [03:07]
Shea Stevens
U.S. futures are higher in after hours trading on Wall street. This is NPR. An Israeli airstrike has killed at least 23 people in northern Gaza. The health ministry there says more than half of those killed were women and children. The Israeli military says the airstrike targeted a senior Hamas militant who was blamed for attacks. Some mental health workers in Los Angeles are on a five day hunger strike. They're seeking higher pay and benef. NPR's Katia Riddle reports that the workers are also demanding more time with patients.
- [03:44]
Katia Riddle
The workers are with Kaiser Permanente. They argue that mental health care is not as well paid or respected as other kinds of health care. Cole Rockarts is with the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
- [03:54]
Cole Rockarts
I've been working in unions for eight years and this is the first strike that I've been on that is this many months, this long. And never before has one escalated to a hunger strike.
- [04:06]
Katia Riddle
Management from Kaiser Permanente say their healthcare workers are paid competitively, even if it's not the same as other medical workers. The hunger strike continues through Friday. Katie Riddle, NPR News, Los Angeles.
- [04:18]
Shea Stevens
Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll has been tapped to become the new acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Driscoll replaces FBI Director Kash Patel, who had been the ATMs interim leader since February. A White House spokesman says Patel's role at ATF was always temporary, pending his confirmation to lead the FBI. If confirmed, Driscoll would become the first Pentagon official to oversee a law enforcement agency on Asia Pacific markets. At this hour, shares are mostly higher, up over 8% in Tokyo. This is NPR News.
- [04:54]
NPR Sponsor
This message is brought to you by NPR sponsor Shopify. It's 2025, a new year with new opportunities. The best time to start your new business is right now. Go to shopify.com NPR allovercase to sign up for a $1 per month trial period today.