NPR News: 04-02-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 2, 2025, 11 AM EDT Summary

Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Duration: 5 minutes

---

1. President Trump to Announce Reciprocal Tariffs

Timestamp: 00:24

NPR's Korva Coleman reports that President Trump is set to announce a series of reciprocal tariffs aimed at mirroring those imposed by other countries on U.S. imports. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated these tariffs are intended to "mimic the tariffs that other countries place on goods they import from the U.S." (00:24).

Danielle Kurtzleben adds that Trump's stance on tariffs has been inconsistent, noting, “Trump seems to have softened on this idea of equal tariffs” (00:46). The looming tariff announcement has already impacted markets, with consumer confidence and stock indexes declining as the deadline approaches.

Additionally, Trump has declared a 25% tariff on foreign automobiles starting the next day, intensifying the ongoing trade tensions.

---

2. Dismissal of Federal Corruption Case Against Mayor Eric Adams

Timestamp: 01:09

Carrie Johnson reports that a federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Judge Dale Ho concluded that the court cannot compel the Justice Department (DOJ) to prosecute any defendant, stating, “everything here smacks of a bargain” (01:33).

The judge emphasized that the prosecutors who initiated the case followed proper procedures and found no evidence of improper motives. The dismissal with prejudice ensures that the DOJ cannot revisit these charges against Adams, effectively ending the case.

---

3. Israeli Military Expands Operations in Gaza

Timestamp: 02:13

NPR's Hadil Al Shelji reports that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced an expansion of military operations in Gaza to eliminate terrorist threats. Katz stated, “Israel is going to seize large territories that would be included in a buffer zone along Israel's security fence with Gaza” (02:32).

This expansion involves the extensive evacuation of Palestinians in the targeted areas. The United Nations estimates that over 140,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed last month. Hostage families have expressed horror over the developments, emphasizing the priority of securing the release of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza.

---

4. Wall Street Sees Uptick in Stock Markets

Timestamp: 03:15

Korva Coleman notes a positive turn in the stock market as Wall Street stocks rise, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by approximately 80 points.

---

5. Myanmar Earthquake and Ceasefire Efforts

Timestamp: 03:15

The military government in Myanmar has raised the death toll from last Friday's major earthquake to over 3,000. The earthquake, centered near one of Myanmar's largest cities, has led the military junta to declare a temporary ceasefire with rebels to facilitate relief operations. The rebels had initiated their own ceasefire the previous day, aiming to aid in the disaster response.

---

6. U.S. Supreme Court Upholds FDA's Ban on Flavored Vapes

Timestamp: 03:15

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to ban flavored vape products from being sold by tobacco companies. Health experts argue that flavored vapes pose significant risks to young people, a stance supported by the Supreme Court's refusal to allow these products in the market.

---

7. Community Engages in Naming Baby Eagles

Timestamp: 04:16

A heartwarming story from Madison Almond illustrates community engagement as elementary school children near Los Angeles participate in naming two baby eagles, affectionately known as Jackie and Shadow. These eagles, who have captivated tens of thousands of viewers globally through their 24/7 livestream, are now set to receive official names through a voting process.

Elementary students from Baldwin Lane Elementary in Big Bear have been involved in the naming process, with Danielle Kurtzleben announcing, “Jackie and Shadow. You've all grown up with Jackie and Shadow” (04:25). Madison Almond adds that the eagles’ chicks, hatched about a month ago and now approximately 10 inches tall, are the focus of this community effort. Sandy Steers, who manages the livestream, distributed ballots featuring 30 potential names, and the winners will be announced on Wednesday.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on April 2, 2025. The episode covered significant topics ranging from international trade policies and legal developments in U.S. politics to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, natural disasters, public health regulations, and uplifting community stories.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

99% of the US population lives within listening range of at least one public media station and everyone can listen to NPR podcasts free of charge. That means you get completely unpaywalled access to stories, prize winning reporting and shows that represent the voices in every corner of the country. Hear the bigger picture every day on npr.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Today's the day that President Trump says he'll announce a plethora of reciprocal tariffs. White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt says these are supposed to mimic the tariffs that other countries place on goods they import from the U.S. nPR's Danielle Kurtzleben says Trump's on again, off again. Tariffs over the past several weeks have affected markets.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Consumer confidence and stock indexes have been plummeting as this reciprocal tariff day has grown closer. And amid that, Trump seems to have softened on this idea of equal tariffs. And and yesterday Levitt also said different countries have been lobbying the president's team, but Trump has left the door open to exceptions. That said, he has said that he doesn't want many.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reporting. Trump has also said that starting tomorrow he will impose a 25% tariff on imports of foreign automobiles. A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed the federal corruption case against New York City Democratic mayor Eric Adams. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports that the judge has concluded a court cannot force the Justice Department to prosecute any defendant.

[Carrie Johnson]

Newly installed officials at President Trump's Justice Department sought to back away from the corruption case against Mayor Adams, arguing it would spur Adams to cooperate with the administration's tough immigration strategy. Judge Dale Ho wrote, quote, everything here smacks of a bargain. But the judge said he had no legal authority to compel DOJ to prosecute someone. The judge said career prosecutors who pushed to bring the Adams case followed the rules and there was no evidence they had any improper motives. Judge Ho dismissed the charges with prejudice, meaning the DOJ cannot bring these counts again or hold the case over Adams as a kind of leverage. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The Israeli defense minister says that the Israeli military will be taking over more areas in Gaza as it broadens its incursion there. This comes after the Israeli military ordered Palestinians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to evacuate the city completely. NPR's Hadil Al Shelji has more.

[Hadil Al Shelji]

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military is expanding its operation in Gaza to crush and clear the area of terrorists. In a statement, he said that Israel is going to seize large territories that would be included in a buffer zone along Israel's security fence with Gaza. To do this, he said, it would mean extensive evacuation of Palestinians in those areas. The United nations estimates that more than 140,000 Palestinians have been displaced since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas broke down last month. The families of the hostages said in a statement that they were horrified to wake up to this news and that the priority should be to return the 59 hostages still held in Gaza. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

Stocks have turned higher on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrials are now up about 80 points. You're listening to NPR. Myanmar's military government has increased the death toll from the major earthquake last Friday to more than 3,000 people. The tremor was centered near one of Myanmar's largest cities. News reports now say the military junta has declared a temporary cease fire against rebels to facilitate relief efforts. The rebels announced a ceasefire yesterday. The U.S. supreme Court has thrown out a lower court's ruling on flavored vape products. Instead, the court upheld action by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA had refused to let 2e cigarette companies sell flavored vape products. Health experts say they are a risk to young people. A pair of baby eagles that gained fame on the Internet will soon have names. From member station kvcr, Madison Almond reports elementary school children near Los Angeles are voting on them.

[Madison Almond]

The third through fifth graders at Baldwin Lane elementary in Big Bear have been watching the Eaglet's parents since kindergarten.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Who knows the name of the eagles?

[Carrie Johnson]

Jackie and Shadow.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Yeah, Jackie and Shadow. You've all grown up with Jackie and Shadow.

[Madison Almond]

Tens of thousands of viewers from around the world have also been watching Jackie and Shadow, who have their own 24.7 livestream. Their two chicks hatched about a month ago and are now about 10 inches tall.

[Hadil Al Shelji]

You're gonna pick your two favorites.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Thank you.

[Korva Coleman]

You're welcome.

[Madison Almond]

Sandy Steers, who runs the livestream, passed out ballots to students with 30 names for the chicks.

[Hadil Al Shelji]

Sky, Crackle Griffin.

[Madison Almond]

Steers plans to announce the winners on Wednesday. For NPR News, I'm Madison Amit in Big Bear.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

[Madison Almond]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.