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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. A 25% tariff on imported auto parts is now in effect. President Trump has offered a partial reprieve for automakers, but as NPR's Camilla Dominovsky reports...
The tariffs are still expected to have a major impact on the auto industry. This week, President Trump announced that automakers importing foreign parts for U.S.-built cars could get reimbursed for some tariffs, temporarily, in recognition of the fact that it's not possible to build a car with exclusively U.S. parts right now. The industry welcomed the changes, but the tariffs are still expected to cut profits and drive up prices.
The reprieve doesn't extend to anyone buying parts for repairs, so the tariff will make it more costly to maintain existing cars, as well as sending insurance prices, which have been rising for several years, up even higher. Camila Dominovsky, NPR News. The Environmental Protection Agency is planning a major overhaul to its scientific research wing.
and is signaling that deep staffing cuts are on the way. Experts say that could endanger EPA's world-renowned science. NPR's Alejandra Barunda reports. The reorganization plan targets EPA's Office of Research and Development. Scientists in that office assess the health risks of contaminants like PFAS and air pollution. Their work informs the implementation of laws like the Clean Air Act. Jennifer Orms-Avaleta recently retired from EPA after 40 years.
She says slashing or changing the independent research wing could endanger public health. By splitting things up or eliminating that expertise, we put people at greater risk and put this country at greater risk. EPA leadership plans to move some scientists into new roles in other parts of the agency, but they warn staff to expect significant cuts in the coming weeks. Alejandra Burunda, NPR News.
Australia's governing Labour Party, led by Anthony Albanese, has won the general election, coming from behind during a campaign overshadowed by President Trump's tariffs. In his victory speech, Albanese told supporters that Labour would lead a majority in Parliament. With a deep sense of humility and a profound sense of responsibility, that the first thing that I do tonight
is to say thank you to the people of Australia for the chance to continue to serve the best nation on earth. Opposition leader Peter Dutton acknowledged defeat. He also lost his own seat in the parliament.
The Pakistani military says it successfully test-fired a ballistic missile today. The surface-to-surface missile has a range of about 280 miles. The test comes amid rising tensions with India over the disputed Kashmir region. At least 26 people were killed last month in an attack on a tourist destination. This is NPR News in Washington.
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