NPR News: 03-10-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – March 10, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: March 10, 2025
Duration: Approximately 4 minutes and 52 seconds

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1. Global Market Downturns Amid Aggressive U.S. Trade Policies

Timestamp: [00:17]

U.S. stocks experienced significant declines as global markets also faced downturns. The drops followed President Trump’s ambiguous statements suggesting his aggressive trade policies could potentially lead to a recession within the year.

• Market Performance:

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell by over 800 points (1.8%) to 42,000.
  • S&P 500: Dropped 158 points (2.7%).
  • Nasdaq: Slid more than 4% (772 points).

• International Trade Tensions:

  • Trade War with Canada: Prime Minister-elect Mark Carney declared Canada’s intent to prevail in ongoing trade disputes.
  • Ontario’s Retaliatory Tariffs: Imposed tariffs on energy exports to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan.
  • China’s Response: Implemented 10-15% tariffs on U.S. farm products including chicken, wheat, corn, soybeans, and pork as retaliation against the U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports.

Quote:

“China is imposing tariffs of 10 to 15% on products including US chicken, wheat, corn, soybeans and pork. These are some of the biggest US Farm exports to China.”
— Michael Copley, [01:06]

2. U.S.-China Trade Tensions Escalate

Timestamp: [01:06]

China’s recent tariffs target major U.S. agricultural exports, a direct response to the Trump administration’s recent 10% tariff on Chinese imports, which itself was an addition to an earlier tariff imposed in February. The U.S. justification for these tariffs is to curb the influx of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which predominantly derive from Chinese precursor chemicals.

Quote:

“The White House says the tariffs are designed to help stop the flow of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States.”
— Michael Copley, [01:06]

Beijing has criticized the U.S. tariffs as violations of World Trade Organization rules and has pledged to counter further U.S. measures firmly.

3. Potential U.S. Government Shutdown Looms Over Funding Bill

Timestamp: [01:49]

The U.S. Congress faces a critical deadline to approve a 99-page funding bill by Friday to avert a partial government shutdown. The proposed bill offers a marginal increase to defense spending but reduces non-defense expenditures below the 2024 budget levels.

House Dynamics:

• The House is anticipated to vote on the bill the following day.
• Democratic Opposition: Top House Democratic leaders have declared their intent to oppose the bill, marking a departure from previous instances where Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries facilitated votes to prevent shutdowns.

Quote:

“If House Democrats remain unified against it, the speaker is essentially going to need unanimous support from within his own party and that's going to be tough.”
— Susan Davis, [02:07]

4. Supreme Court Upholds Climate Change Litigation Against Fossil Fuel Industry

Timestamp: [02:26]

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block climate change lawsuits filed by several states against the fossil fuel industry. These lawsuits accuse fossil fuel companies of misleading the public regarding the environmental impact of their products and seek compensation for damages caused by climate-related disasters.

• Legal Arguments:
  • Proponents: Argue that fossil fuel firms should be held accountable for exacerbating extreme weather events.
  • Opponents: Republican attorneys general claim the lawsuits undermine state sovereignty and threaten the U.S. energy sector.

Quote:

“They're aimed at forcing companies to help pay for damages from more extreme storms, heat waves and rising sea levels.”
— Michael Copley, [02:34]

5. Addressing Mental Health Crises Among Black Youth in Harlem

Timestamp: [03:14]

Recent studies highlight a surge in mental health crises among Black youth. In Harlem, a local church has initiated a unique program aimed at mitigating suicide risks among teenagers through a church-based curriculum.

Personal Impact:

• Sertina Robinson’s Testimony:

  “The one thing that kept playing in my mind, what if she didn't have the Hope center or the church Right. I don't know how I would have survived that.”
  — Sertina Robinson, [03:44]

This initiative is part of a broader study by George Washington University, collaborating with multiple churches nationwide to support teens and their families facing mental health challenges.

6. Volcanic Eruption Near Guatemala Capital Prompts Evacuations

Timestamp: [04:09]

A volcano exceeding 12,000 feet erupted near Guatemala City, resulting in the flow of volcanic material classified as weak to moderate, though an escalation was anticipated. Hundreds have been evacuated with expectations that tens of thousands more might be at risk.

• Current Status:
  • No immediate injuries reported.
  • The volcano is recognized as one of the most active in Central America.

7. Technical Issues Plague X Platform Users

Timestamp: [04:26]

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, experienced significant outages, with approximately 40,000 users reporting access issues simultaneously. The platform, alongside its website Downdetector.com, faced multiple disruptions.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the March 10, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the day's major news stories.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

[John Ruich]

U.S. stocks as other markets around the globe are down significantly after President Trump did not rule out that his aggressive trade policies might cause a recession this year, we see that the Dow is down now more than 800 points, or 1.8%, at 42,000. The S&P has fallen 158 points or down 2.7%, and the Nasdaq down more than 4%, or 772 points. One such trade war is with Canada. The prime minister elect Mark Carney, has vowed that his country will win. Meanwhile, Ontario is imposing retaliatory tariffs on energy it exports to New York, Minnesota and Michigan. Retaliatory Chinese tariffs on U.S. farm products go into effect today.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's John Ruich has more on that.

[Michael Copley]

China is imposing tariffs of 10 to 15% on products including US chicken, wheat, corn, soybeans and pork. These are some of the biggest US Farm exports to China. The tariffs were announced in retaliation for the Trump administration's decision to impose a fresh 10% tariff on Chinese imports to the United States last week. That came atop a 10% tariff on Chinese goods in early February. The White House says the tariffs are designed to help stop the flow of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. China is a major source of the precursor chemicals to make the drug. Beijing says the US Tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and it's vowed to firmly counter further U.S. pressure. John Ruich, NPR News, Beijing.

[John Ruich]

Congress needs to approve a funding bill by Friday or face a partial government shutdown.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The House is likely to vote tomorrow.

[John Ruich]

On a 99 page bill that offers a slight boost to defense programs but brings down non defense spending below 2024 budget year levels.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Susan Davis has reaction from the Democrats.

[Susan Davis]

The top House Democratic leaders over the weekend came out and said they're going to oppose it. This is unlike past deals where Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has helped deliver the votes to avoid these shutdowns. If House Democrats remain unified against it, the speaker is essentially going to need unanimous support from within his own party and that's going to be tough.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's Susan Davis.

[John Ruich]

The U.S. supreme Court has declined to halt climate change lawsuits that some states have filed against the Fossil Fuel present PR's Michael Cobley.

[Michael Copley]

Lawsuits in various state courts alleged the fossil fuel industry misled the public about the dangers its products pose the earth's climate. They're aimed at forcing companies to help pay for damages from more extreme storms, heat waves and rising sea levels. A group of Republican attorneys general had argued the lawsuits threaten other states sovereignty and the future of the US Energy industry. A spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment about the Supreme Court decision. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court turned down a request from oil companies to block a climate lawsuit in Hawaii. Michael Copley, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr.

[John Ruich]

Recent research shows an increase in mental health crises for black youth. A church in Harlem, New York, is.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Working on mitigating suicide risk for teens with a unique approach. NPR's Katie Riddle explains.

[Katie Riddle]

It's impossible to say with certainty why black youth are increasingly vulnerable to these kinds of mental health crises, but families here say this church based curriculum is providing critical support for their kids. Sertina Robinson leaned on it when her daughter was going through a difficult time.

[Sertina Robinson]

The one thing that kept playing in my mind, what if she didn't have the Hope center or the church Right. I don't know how I would have survived that. I love all my children, but no one wants to go through that right.

[Katie Riddle]

The program is part of a larger cohort of churches involved in a study from George Washington University. It's an effort to deliver lessons to teens and families who are struggling across the country. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

[John Ruich]

A more than 12,000 foot volcanoes erupting.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Near the Guatemalan capital.

[John Ruich]

Guatemala's disaster agency says a flow of volcanic material is weak to moderate, but that was expected to increase. There were no immediate reports of injuries, however, hundreds of people have been evacuated.

[Lakshmi Singh]

While tens of thousands more may be.

[John Ruich]

At risk from the volcano fire, which is one of the most active in Central America. Multiple outages have hit X, the social media platform owned by Doge architect Elon Musk. The website Downdetector.com reported roughly 40,000 users reported no access to the platform, both.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The X app and the website.

[John Ruich]

Well, the Dow is down now 833points.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's NPR News.

[NPR Politics Podcast Host]

A lot happens in Washington every day, from the White House to Capitol Hill and everywhere in between. That's where we come in. On the NPR Politics podcast, we keep you up to date on what happens inside Washington and what it means for you and your community. The NPR Politics Podcast. Listen wherever you listen.