NPR News Now – April 9, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman

Stock Markets Surge Amid New U.S. Tariffs

The episode opens with Korva Coleman reporting a positive start to the trading day as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbs nearly 300 points (00:11). This surge comes in response to President Trump's implementation of new tariffs affecting imports from Europe, Japan, and China. Scott Horsley adds detailed context:

"Double digit tariffs on goods from dozens of countries kicked in overnight. U.S. importers are now paying 20% more on most things they buy from Europe, 24% more on imports from Japan. And the tax on goods from China now totals more than 100%"
(00:28)

Escalating Trade Tensions and Economic Concerns

Scott Horsley continues to elaborate on the ramifications of the tariffs:

"China punched back, announcing an extra 50% tariff of its own on U.S. exports that takes effect tomorrow. The escalating trade war has sparked fears of a worldwide economic slowdown, pushing the price of crude oil to a four-year low. Investors are also dumping US Treasuries. That's caused a sharp jump in US borrowing costs, which will likely make mortgage rates here even less affordable."
(00:28)

The aggressive tariff measures are heightening fears of a global economic downturn, affecting various sectors from energy to real estate.

European Union Imposes $20 Billion in Retaliatory Tariffs

Korva Coleman transitions to international responses, highlighting that EU member states have decided to levy approximately $20 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods. This move is a direct retaliation to the 25% tariffs imposed by President Trump on steel and aluminum imports:

"These levies are in response to the 25% tariffs that President Trump imposed earlier on steel and aluminum imports. These EU tariffs will come into effect next Tuesday. European officials have cautioned they would prefer to negotiate with the Trump administration."
(01:09)

The European Union expresses a desire to engage in negotiations despite the escalating trade tensions.

Supreme Court Upholds Mass Firings of Federal Workers

In a significant legal development, Korva Coleman reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the mass firings of thousands of probationary federal workers to stand:

"The U.S. supreme Court is allowing the mass firings of thousands of probationary federal workers to stand, at least for now. It's the latest decision in an ongoing legal battle over the Trump administration's efforts to slash the size of the federal government."
(01:09)

Kristen Wright provides further insights:

"In a brief order, the justices found that nonprofit groups bringing the legal challenge against the government don't have standing to sue over the firings of 16,000 probationary workers. The nonprofits and labor unions argue the Office of Personnel Management didn't have the authority to order the firings and didn't give employees adequate notice. The high court's decision blocks a California federal judge's order to reinstate the workers, but didn't reach the question of whether the firings were lawful as the case moves through the lower courts."
(01:51)

The Supreme Court's decision halts efforts to reinstate the workers temporarily, leaving the legality of the firings to be determined in lower courts.

Education Secretary Defends Budget Cuts at San Diego Conference

Korva Coleman shifts focus to education, reporting on Linda McMahon's appearance at an education technology conference in San Diego:

"Education Secretary Linda McMahon spoke at an education technology conference yesterday in San Diego. She's defending cuts to her agency. [...] With the US Department of Education already cut in half, McMahon was asked what would happen to schools without that kind of federal oversight."
(02:25)

Janaki Mehta highlights the federal role in education:

"So some states will do better than others."
(02:59)

McMahon appeals to private sector donors to help bridge the funding gap:

"McMahon asked private sector donors, including those sitting in the room, to start doing their part to help fund education."
(03:03)

The administration emphasizes a shift towards state control, urging private contributions to maintain educational standards.

Tragedy Strikes in Santo Domingo as Nightclub Collapses

A tragic event unfolds as Korva Coleman reports on the ongoing rescue efforts in the Dominican Republic:

"Rescue teams in the Dominican Republic are continuing to dig through the wreckage of a collapsed nightclub. At least 113 people were killed Monday night when the roof caved in in Santo Domingo. Some of the victims include popular merengue singer Ruby Perez. He died along with a local Dominican governor and two former major league baseball players."
(03:12)

The disaster has claimed the lives of notable figures, intensifying the rescue operations.

Keystone Pipeline Remains Shut After Unexplained Rupture

Korva Coleman covers environmental and infrastructure issues, reporting on the Keystone pipeline:

"The Keystone oil pipeline is still shut down in North Dakota. There was an unexplained rupture yesterday. NPR's Giles Snyder reports."
(03:12)

Giles Snyder provides details on the investigation:

"The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration is responsible for millions of miles of oil and gas pipelines like Keystone. It's sending investigators to look into what happened near Fort Ransom, North Dakota. Officials say an employee heard a mechanical bang and shut down the pipeline within a couple of minutes. The company that operates Keystone estimates that about 3,500 barrels of oil spilled into an agricultural field in a rural area. The industry watchdog group Pipeline Safety Trust says the safety agency is under resourced and underfunded. And several media reports say it has lost several key leaders, including the top pipeline safety official, to buyout offers from Elon Musk's Doge Cost Cutting Team trial."
(03:53)

The rupture has led to significant oil spills, raising concerns about pipeline safety and regulatory capacity.

Measles Outbreak Intensifies in Texas

Concluding the episode, Korva Coleman updates listeners on a public health crisis:

"The measles outbreak is spreading in Texas. There are more than 500 cases now reported. Several have surfaced in new counties. That includes among several children who attend a daycare center. In Lubbock, Texas."
(04:37)

The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges in managing infectious diseases and the importance of vaccination efforts.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events within a five-minute window. From economic shifts driven by escalating trade wars and legal battles affecting federal employees to tragic accidents and public health emergencies, the report encapsulates the pressing issues shaping today's world. Notable quotes and detailed reporting ensure listeners are well-informed, even if they miss the live broadcast.

Note: Advertisements and sponsor messages have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content.