NPR News: 06-05-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 5, 2025 – Key Highlights

1. President Trump's Full Travel Ban Announced [00:14]

NPR’s Dan Ronan reports on President Donald Trump's newly issued travel ban targeting foreign nationals from twelve countries deemed high-risk to the United States. The ban, set to take effect on Monday, May 9, includes nations such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, and Sudan.

Sergio Martinez Beltran elaborates, “The justification to include many of the countries on that list is that they lack a competent central authority for issuing passports and screening and vetting measures” (00:32). Additionally, seven other countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Laos, face partial bans due to concerns over visa overstays. Importantly, the ban excludes lawful permanent residents and applies only to foreign nationals outside the U.S. without valid visas.

2. Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum [01:11]

President Trump's administration has intensified tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, increasing them to 50% as of Wednesday, effectively doubling the initial rates announced earlier in the week. Dan Ronan highlights the rationale behind these tariffs, stating they aim to secure the U.S. steel industry.

Martha Gimbel from Yale’s Budget Lab provides insight into the economic repercussions: “...for the American consumer, it basically means the same thing. They’re going to be paying these tariffs” (01:36). Gimbel estimates that the average family will incur an additional $2,500 in expenses if the tariffs remain, citing a 13% increase in new car prices and anticipated rises in other goods.

3. Department of Education Questions Columbia University's Accreditation [01:56]

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has flagged Columbia University for potential accreditation issues. Dan Ronan connects this development to ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions.

Alyssa Nadworny reports, “The Department...says the school is in violation of anti-discrimination laws and therefore fails to meet standards for accreditation” (02:21). The concern arises from a February investigation into whether Columbia adequately protected Jewish students. The accrediting commission holds the authority to revoke federal funding if the university fails to comply. In response, a Columbia spokesperson affirmed the institution's commitment to addressing antisemitism and collaborating with federal authorities.

4. Wall Street Mixed Results [03:02]

On the financial front, Wall Street presented a mixed performance on Wednesday. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline, both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 saw gains during active trading hours. This fluctuation reflects the current economic uncertainties influenced by recent political and global developments.

5. Zelenskyy Rejects Russia’s Memorandum, Seeks Ceasefire [03:02]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly dismissed a memorandum presented by Russia during recent talks in Istanbul, labeling it an ultimatum that lacks seriousness from both Ukraine and its international partners. Hanna Palomarenko details Zelenskyy's stance, quoting him as saying the document “contradicts the UN Charter, the constitution of Ukraine and, common sense” (03:33).

Zelenskyy expressed readiness for high-level meetings starting next Monday and proposed a ceasefire as a precursor to such dialogues. He emphasized openness to continuing the ceasefire with American monitoring and mediation guarantees, contingent upon further de-escalation. Additionally, Zelenskyy announced a planned large-scale exchange of prisoners of war scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

6. Major League Baseball Introduces Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge [04:18]

A significant rule change is on the horizon for Major League Baseball (MLB) in the 2026 season. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced plans to implement an automatic ball-strike challenge system. Under this proposal, teams would receive two challenges per game regarding ball and strike calls.

The system, currently being tested in spring training and several minor leagues, utilizes video reviews to assess the accuracy of umpire decisions. Dan Ronan notes that while this technology supports umpire accuracy, the challenge mechanism ensures that umpires retain authority over the majority of calls during games.

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This summary captures the essential discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on June 5, 2025. Stay informed with NPR for the latest updates.

Transcript

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[Dan Ronan]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump has issued a full travel ban for foreign nationals of 12 countries he says pose a very high risk to the U.S. nPR's Sario Martinez Beltran reports. The ban goes into effect Monday, May 9.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

The 12 countries covered by the full travel ban include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran and Sudan, according to Trump's order. The justification to include many of the countries on that list is that they lack a competent central authority for issuing passports and screening and vetting measures. An additional seven countries, including Cuba, Venezuela and Laos, are on a partial ban. Trump says many nationals of those countries pose a risk of overstaying their visas. The ban would only apply to foreign nationals who are outside the US and do not have a valid visa. Lawful permanent residents will be allowed in. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[Dan Ronan]

Imported steel and aluminum just got more expensive. President Trump's 50% tariffs on those metals kicked in Wednesday, doubling what they were earlier in the week. Trump said last week the tariffs are needed to secure the steel industry in the United States. Martha Gimbel at Yale's Budget lab estimates the price of new cars will jump by 13% because of the tariffs, and she expects other products to also increase.

[Martha Gimbel]

You can look at the first set of Trump tariffs and how much that has been passed on to consumers, and you'll see economists arguing, you know, was it 97% passed on? Was it 99% passed on? Was it 100% passed on? That's a fun debate for us to have, but for the American consumer, it basically means the same thing. They're going to be paying these tariffs.

[Dan Ronan]

Gimbel, who previously worked in the Biden administration, estimates the average family will pay about $2,500 more for items if these Trump administration tariffs remain in place. The U.S. education Department is calling into question Columbia University's accreditation. This is the latest escalation between the Trump administration and many elite colleges. NPR's Alyssa Nadroni reports.

[Alyssa Nadworny]

The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights sends a notice to the accrediting body that audits Columbia University, saying the school is in violation of anti discrimination laws and therefore fails to meet standards for accreditation. The findings stem from an investigation from February looking into whether the school adequately protected Jewish students on campus. The commission that accredits the school can revoke the university's eligibility for federal funding if it deems that Columbia is not in compliance. In a statement, a Columbia University spokesperson said the school takes the issue of antisemitism seriously and is working with the federal government to address it. Alyssa Nadworny, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

On Wall Street Wednesday, stocks were mixed. The Dow was down, but the Nasdaq and the S and P were up in active trading. You're listening to NPR News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reacting publicly to a memorandum that Russia handed over to Ukraine at recent talks in Istanbul, Turkey. NPR's Hanna Palomarenko reports that Zelensky calls the document an ultimatum that neither Ukraine nor its partners will take seriously.

[Hanna Palomarenko]

President Zelenskyy says the document contradicts the UN Charter, the constitution of Ukraine and, quote, common sense. Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy emphasized that he is ready for a meeting at the level of the leaders of the states starting next Monday and proposed a ceasefire before the meeting. If we see that we can continue the dialogue and are ready for appropriate de escalation steps, we will continue the ceasefire with American monitoring and guarantees of mediation, he added. Zelenskyy also announced a large scale exchange of prisoners of war to take place over the weekend. Hanna Polomarenko, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Dan Ronan]

A big change is likely coming to Major League baseball for the 2026 season. The commissioner, Manfred said Wednesday he's going to propose that the sport implements what's called an automatic ball strike challenge. Under the plan, teams would get two challenges per games on balls and strikes. A video system would review the accuracy of the umpire's original call. The system has been used in spring training and it's currently being tested in several minor leagues. The challenge aspect, though, means current umpires will continue to call the majority of balls and strikes. This is NPR News support for npr.

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