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At present’s prime tales
President Trump instructed reporters on the White Home yesterday that the U.S. may have a good cope with China. The president’s excessive tariffs have sparked a commerce warfare between the world’s two largest economies. Beijing has a 125% tariff on American items, which got here in response to the 145% tariff the Trump administration placed on Chinese language items. It’s unclear whether or not coverage adjustments will include Trump’s change in tone.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters within the Oval Workplace in February.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs North America
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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs North America
There are two fundamental causes for the shift, NPR’s Asma Khalid tells Up First. If the tariffs keep in place, commerce between China and the U.S. will nearly halt. The change in tone can be basic to the inventory market and the financial uncertainty that Trump’s tariffs created. The president initially acknowledged that there might be short-term financial ache, however it might be price it. Khalid says his staff has been boasting about hanging offers. Anna Ashton, who was with the U.S.-China Enterprise Council for years, says the White Home’s fixed threats and “wild swings” in dedication to these threats make it unlikely that China’s President Xi Jinping will come to the desk to barter.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance are pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to simply accept a U.S.-backed peace deal. On Fact Social, Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy after he rejected a proposal to simply accept Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine got here as each international locations labored with European officers yesterday in London to debate methods to finish the warfare.
The White Home has not publicly supplied specifics on the peace plan, however it clearly closely favors Russia on paper, NPR’s Charles Maynes says. For Ukraine, it seems that acknowledging the Crimean peninsula is a non-starter. Trump needs peace now and sees leverage over Kyiv because the quickest option to get there, which is why Maynes believes the president is asking a number of Ukraine and so little of Russia.
Yesterday, Trump signed a sweeping record of government actions concentrating on increased training and Ok-12 colleges. The actions embody proposals to eradicate school DEI applications and new self-discipline steerage for public colleges. One of many increased training orders directs Training Secretary Linda McMahon to “overhaul” the faculty accreditation system. One other motion threatens to revoke federal college grants if colleges do not full “full and well timed disclosure of overseas funding.”
NPR’s Elissa Nadworny says the Trump administration is making an attempt to create methods to carry schools accountable for “ideological overreach” and to extend “mental range” on campus. An motion concentrating on Ok-12 colleges requires revoking earlier insurance policies aimed toward decreasing racial disparities in self-discipline practices like suspensions and expulsions, Nadworny says. Another government actions concentrate on bolstering workforce coaching and enhancing AI in colleges. The gathering of actions focuses on cementing Trump’s conservative agenda relating to training within the U.S.
At present’s hear

In a small studio close to Cesar Chavez Avenue, 19-year-old Kennia Camacho information Disaster Communicator, utilizing radio to attach along with her Boyle Heights neighborhood amid ICE raid fears.
Alice Woelfle
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Alice Woelfle
Each Friday night for an hour, 19-year-old Kennia Camacho takes to the mic within the broadcast studio of radio station KQBH for her present Disaster Communicator, the place she will communicate out for herself and her neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles. In accordance with information from the LA Division of Metropolis Planning, the neighborhood is greater than 93% Hispanic. Over 85% of households don’t communicate English at dwelling. Over latest months, fears of ICE raids in Los Angeles have emerged. Many in the neighborhood spend extra time at dwelling. Camacho created the present in 2023 as a highschool senior. Take heed to how she has labored to uplift and tackle considerations blanketing her neighborhood ever since.
Deep dive

The Division of Training says it’s going to resume collections on defaulted pupil loans on Might 5, affecting some 5 million debtors nationwide.
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mohd izzuan/Getty Photographs
For the primary time in 5 years, the Division of Training says it’s going to resume collections on defaulted pupil loans. Beginning Might 5, the division can begin taking funds from debtors’ tax refunds, Social Safety advantages and ultimately wages. The change will affect 5.3 million debtors who went into default earlier than the pandemic. NPR spoke with consultants on the subject. This is what they are saying it’s best to know:
The division says it’s going to attain out to the debtors who’re in default earlier than Might 5, through emails and social media posts, “reminding them of their obligations.”
Individuals can verify their standing by logging into StudentAid.gov. The dashboard ought to present how a lot you owe. In case you are in default, there ought to be a warning message.
The three main methods to get out of default are to repay the loans in full, mortgage consolidation and rehabilitation. The consolidation possibility entails paying off the defaulted loans with new compensation phrases. Rehabilitation requires the borrower to make a number of consecutive on-time funds of an quantity primarily based on earnings.
3 issues to know earlier than you go

Stephanie Garber, circa 1994
Stephanie Garber
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Stephanie Garber
- Within the Nineteen Eighties, a big pickup truck hit Stephanie Garber’s automotive whereas she was driving. Garber wasn’t injured, however the different driver was livid and mentioned the accident was her fault. Whereas ready for assist to reach, she started to cry. A lady, her unsung hero, swooped in with compassion and a cup of tea to assist her.
- Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical firm behind the burden loss drug Zepbound, is suing 4 telehealth corporations for allegedly promoting unlawful copies of the drug produced by compounding pharmacies.
- What are a few of your most memorable moments along with your mother? NPR needs to listen to from you concerning the love that was shared. It might be featured in a Mom’s Day story.
This article was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.