NPR News Now: April 7, 2025, 1 PM EDT

Stock Market Turmoil Amid Tariff Concerns

Host Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by highlighting the ongoing turmoil in the U.S. stock markets, attributing the decline to the heavy burden of tariffs affecting global markets. She reports that the Dow Jones Industrial Average has plummeted by 600 points (1.5%), the S&P 500 has dropped nearly 1%, and the Nasdaq is down approximately 0.5%. The persistent tariff tensions are causing significant unease among investors and contributing to the bearish market sentiment.

Deportation Controversy: Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Case

In a deeply concerning development, the Trump administration is escalating its legal battle by appealing to the Supreme Court to prevent the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison.

Reporter Jasmine Garsd provides a comprehensive overview of the case:

• Background: Abrego Garcia has resided in Maryland for over a decade under a legal protection status known as "withholding of removal."
• Incident: Last month, he was arrested by immigration officials and sent to a Salvadoran detention center despite having no criminal record.
• Legal Proceedings: Federal Judge Paula Zinnis ordered his return, a decision that was upheld by a Fourth Circuit Court panel earlier in the morning. The Trump administration now deems the order "absurd" and seeks Supreme Court intervention to block it.
• Quote: "The administration requested a stay, which a Fourth Circuit Court panel denied earlier this morning," Garsd explains at [01:01].

This case underscores the complexities and potential errors within the immigration enforcement system, raising questions about the administration's oversight and the protection of individuals with legal status.

Escalating US-China Trade Tensions

Lakshmi Singh transitions to the escalating trade standoff between the United States and China. President Trump has signaled a readiness to impose even higher tariffs on Chinese goods by Wednesday, contingent on Beijing's response to existing retaliatory measures.

Maria Aspen delves into the broader implications of this dispute:

• Economic Impact: The sustained market sell-off is not just a concern for investors but also for the general populace. Approximately 60% of U.S. households own stocks, with many having retirement and long-term savings tied to the market's performance.
• Consumer Costs: The new tariffs are expected to increase prices on a wide range of imported goods, directly affecting American consumers' everyday expenses.
• Quote: "The current market sell-off has real consequences and real pain for most consumers," states Aspen at [02:02].

The potential for a recession looms as market instability continues, highlighting the delicate balance between trade policies and economic stability.

Severe Weather Devastates Tennessee

Tragedy has struck Tennessee as severe weather continues to wreak havoc across the state, resulting in at least 10 fatalities.

Paige Flager reports on the situation:

• Weather Conditions: The state has been battered by tornadoes, sustained 25 mph winds, and extensive flooding.
• Impact: In McNary County alone, an EF3 tornado with winds reaching 160 mph damaged over 300 structures, according to local emergency management.
• Flooding Concerns: With the ground already saturated from previous rains, multiple waterways have reached or surpassed moderate flood stages. Two counties along the Kentucky border have issued voluntary evacuations for flood-prone areas.
• Future Outlook: Authorities anticipate that water levels will continue to rise into the early part of the week.
• Quote: "Waterways are anticipated to continue to rise through the early part of the week," Flager reports at [02:33].

The ongoing severe weather events emphasize the urgent need for effective emergency response and infrastructure resilience.

US-Israel Relations and Collegiate Sports Highlights

The episode also touches on significant geopolitical and sporting events:

US-Israel Diplomatic Engagement

Lakshmi Singh mentions that President Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussions are expected to navigate through several critical issues:

• Trade Tariffs: While the extent of discussions on US tariffs impacting other nations remains uncertain, it is a point of potential contention.
• Israel-Hamas Conflict: Both leaders are entrenched in negotiations concerning Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, as well as broader regional security matters.
• West Bank Annexation: A key topic will likely be Israel's proposed annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, a move with significant international implications.

Championship Celebrations in Collegiate Basketball

The sports world celebrates as UConn secures its record 12th national championship in women's college basketball by defeating the defending champions, South Carolina, with a score of 82-59 in Tampa, Florida. This victory marks UConn's first national title in nine years.

Meanwhile, the men's national championship game is set to take place in Texas, featuring the University of Houston aiming for its first NCAA men's basketball title against Florida at the Alidome in San Antonio.

Reporter Greg Ecklund provides additional insights:

• Coach Highlight: At 69 years old, Houston's coach Kelvin Sampson is on the brink of becoming the oldest coach to win a Division I men's basketball title. He reflects on the encouragement he's received:
  • Quote: "They all kind of had similar messages to me, you know, you know, win one for the old guys or something like that," Sampson shares at [04:32].
• Opponent's Coach: Florida's head coach, Todd Golden, is appearing in the title game for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives to the highly anticipated matchup.
• Team Records: Both Houston and Florida enter the game with impressive 35-4 records, setting the stage for a competitive final.

Closing Market Update

In a final note, Lakshmi Singh reiterates the significant downturn in the stock market, with the Dow dropping over 2% and the S&P 500 declining by 1.5%, underscoring the ongoing financial instability and its reverberating effects on the economy.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical news segments from the April 7, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, offering listeners a thorough overview of major economic challenges, legal controversies, severe weather impacts, diplomatic engagements, and notable achievements in sports.