NPR News: 04-07-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 7, 2025, 11AM EDT - Detailed Summary

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1. Trade Tensions Escalate Between the U.S. and European Union

Reporter: Korva Coleman

The European Union is set to retaliate against President Trump's recent tariffs on U.S. goods by imposing its own tariffs. EU officials are scheduled to vote on a list of American products subject to these retaliatory measures, with the first set of tariffs expected to take effect on April 15th and a second wave on May 15th. These actions follow President Trump's implementation of initial 10% tariffs that went into effect on the previous Saturday.

President Trump: Speaking from Air Force One, Trump addressed concerns about the economic impact of the tariffs. “Sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something,” he stated at 00:49, emphasizing his commitment to the tariffs despite potential market fluctuations. He continued, “They are coming to the table. They want to talk, but there's no talk unless they pay us a lot of money on a yearly basis...” at 01:10, asserting that the tariffs would ultimately strengthen the U.S. economy.

Tamara Keith: NPR's Tamara Keith reported on Trump's negotiations with international leaders aimed at reducing or eliminating the tariffs. However, Trump remained steadfast, suggesting that any deal would require substantial financial concessions from other countries.

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2. Legal Setback for the Trump Administration Over Agency Firings

Reporter: Korva Coleman

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has delivered a significant ruling against the Trump administration. The court decided that two members of independent agencies, Kathy Harris of the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwen Wilcox of the National Labor Relations Board, unlawfully removed from their positions. This decision marks the second unfavorable ruling for the administration in a month, potentially escalating the legal battle to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Andrea Hsu: “President Trump fired Harris and Wilcox in the opening weeks of his administration, even though federal law and Supreme Court precedent hold that members of their agencies can only be fired for cause such as neglect of duty or malfeasance,” Andrea Hsu explained at 01:46. The reinstatement of Harris and Wilcox restores a quorum at their respective agencies, maintaining their operational integrity while the administration continues to challenge these legal protections.

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3. Severe Weather Causes Widespread Flooding and Storm Warnings

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Recent heavy storms have battered the central, Midwestern, and southern regions of the United States, leading to significant rainfall and flooding threats. While the intense weather has subsided, authorities warn that the risk of flooding remains.

Frank Perera: National Weather Service forecaster Frank Perera detailed the extent of the rainfall at 02:39, noting, “There was an axis that extended from central Arkansas, Little Rock into western Tennessee, including the Memphis metro area, up into western Kentucky... we saw widespread totals up over 10 inches, even over 15 in parts of western Kentucky.” These excessive rains have caused widespread disruptions and the potential for ongoing flooding.

Additionally, a new line of storms is currently sweeping across the South, with Georgia facing the brunt of the weather. Tornado warnings have been issued for southwestern Georgia, and economic repercussions are evident as the Dow Jones Industrial Average dips by approximately 30 points (03:07).

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4. Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 3,500 Amidst Ongoing Storms

Reporter: Korva Coleman

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Mandalay, Myanmar, resulting in a tragic death toll surpassing 3,500 people. The military government has reported that the country is bracing for additional heavy storms in the coming days, which could compound the disaster's impact.

The earthquake has caused extensive destruction in Mandalay, disrupting infrastructure and emergency response efforts. Officials are working tirelessly to manage the aftermath while preparing communities for the impending severe weather.

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5. Measles Outbreak Claims Third U.S. Fatality This Year

Reporter: Korva Coleman & David Martin Davies

The United States is grappling with its worst measles outbreak since 1991, now tallying nearly 600 cases across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas. This year marks the third measles-related death in the country.

David Martin Davies: Reporting from San Antonio, Davies detailed the latest fatality at 03:51. “The school-aged child tested positive for measles, was hospitalized in Lubbock and died on Thursday from measles pulmonary failure,” he reported. Both previous fatalities, including an unvaccinated New Mexico adult, involved individuals with no underlying health conditions, highlighting the critical importance of vaccination.

Health officials are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak, emphasizing vaccination and public awareness to prevent further spread.

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6. UConn Women’s Basketball Clinches 12th NCAA Championship

Reporter: Korva Coleman

In a historic achievement, the University of Connecticut (UConn) women's basketball team has secured their 12th NCAA championship title, defeating last year's champions, South Carolina, in the title game. This victory makes UConn the first basketball program, both women's and men's, to achieve twelve national titles.

Looking ahead, the men's NCAA championship game is scheduled to take place tonight, featuring a showdown between Florida and Houston. This promises to be another thrilling conclusion to the college basketball season.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on April 7, 2025, at 11AM EDT.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The European Union is expected to soon follow China and impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products. EU officials plan to vote on a list of goods, rather goods, soon. The first set of tariffs are expected to take effect April 15th. The second wave will hit May 15th. President Trump's initial tariffs of 10% took effect on Saturday. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. Trump says he is sticking with them.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he doesn't want markets to fall, but, quote, sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something. He said he spoke over the weekend with leaders from numerous countries looking to cut a deal to bring down the tariffs imposed. More go into effect later this week, but he didn't say he was ready to make deals.

[Donald Trump]

They are coming to the table. They want to talk, but there's no talk unless they pay us a lot of money on a yearly basis. Number one for present but also for.

[Tamara Keith]

Past, Trump said America would eventually be stronger because of the tariffs. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The U.S. circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has dealt a setback to the Trump administration. It ruled that two members of independent agencies who were fired by President Trump should get their seats back. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports. It's the latest twist in an ongoing battle that could reach the U.S. supreme.

[Andrea Hsu]

Court for the second time in a month. Kathy Harris of the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwen Wilcox of the National Labor Relations Board will return to their seats after the D.C. circuit vacated an earlier ruling by a panel of its own judges. President Trump fired Harris and Wilcox in the opening weeks of his administration, even though federal law and Supreme Court precedent hold that members of their agencies can only be fired for cause such as neglect of duty or malfeasance. The Trump administration is challenging those provisions, but for now, the two can return to their jobs, restoring a quorum at each of their agencies. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The heavy storms that hit the central, Midwestern and southern parts of the US over the past several days have eased, but the threat of flooding is not passed. National Weather Service forecaster Frank Perera says several areas got massive amounts of rain.

[Frank Perera]

In terms of the heaviest rainfall. There was an axis that extended from central Arkansas, Little Rock into western Tennessee, including the Memphis metro area, up into western Kentucky as well. And those areas got several rounds of showers and thunderstorms over several days. And with that, we saw widespread totals up over 10 inches, even over 15 in parts of western Kentucky.

[Korva Coleman]

Meanwhile, a line of storms is sweeping across the south today. Georgia is the worst affected. Tornado warnings are posted in southwestern Georgia. On Wall street, the Dow is down about 30 points. You're listening to NPR. The military government in Myanmar says the death toll from the recent earthquake has soared above 3,500 people. The 7.7 magnitude tremor rocked the city of Mandalay, Myanmar. Officials are now warning the country is going to get heavy storms for several days. The third measles death in the United States this year has been reported. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies reports. The latest fatality comes as the West Texas measles outbreak continues to spread.

[David Martin Davies]

The second measles death of a Texas child was confirmed Sunday by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Health officials said the school aged child tested positive, positive for measles, was hospitalized in Lubbock and died on Thursday from measles pulmonary failure. Officials said the child was not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions. The first measles fatality was also an unvaccinated Texas child. The second was an unvaccinated New Mexico adult. This outbreak now includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas. As of Friday, it has grown to almost 600 cases, making this the worst measles outbreak since 1991. I'm David Martin Davies in San Antonio.

[Korva Coleman]

The University of Connecticut has won the women's NCAA basketball championship. UConn defeated last year's champs, South Carolina, yesterday in the title game. This is the 12th time the UConn women have clinched the title. It's the first basketball program, women or men's, to do so. Meanwhile, the men's championship game is tonight. It's between Florida and Houston. This is npr.

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