NPR News Now: April 10, 2025, 10 PM EDT

Hosted by NPR’s Jack Spear, this episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments. From immigration cases and international trade tensions to significant archaeological discoveries and economic indicators, here are the key stories covered.

1. Trump Administration’s Deportation Case Against Mahmoud Khalil

[00:16] Host Jack Spear opens the episode by detailing the Trump administration's efforts to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist. Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, is currently detained in Louisiana, where an immigration judge is scheduled to hear his case the following day.

[00:34] NPR’s Joel Rose reports on the administration's submission of a two-page memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The memo does not allege any criminal activity but accuses Khalil of participating in "anti-Semitic protests and disruptive activities," asserting that his continued presence in the U.S. would undermine foreign policy efforts to combat anti-Semitism.

Quote:
"The memo accuses Khalil of participating in, quote, anti-Semitic protests and disruptive activities and says that allowing him to stay would undermine US Foreign policy to combat anti Semitism."
— Joel Rose, [00:34]

Khalil's legal team contends that the administration is targeting him for exercising his First Amendment rights, arguing that his speech is protected and should not warrant deportation.

2. Escalating Trade Tensions Between the U.S., China, and the European Union

[01:13] Jack Spear transitions to international trade, highlighting the Trump administration's strategy to engage in trade talks with up to 75 nations while simultaneously intensifying tensions with China. The U.S. has increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, prompting retaliatory tariffs of 84% from China on American imports.

[01:58] Terry Schultz reports from Brussels on the European Union's response. After President Trump delayed a second round of tariffs on EU exports—a potential 20% tax on $23 billion worth of goods—the EU has announced a 90-day pause on imposing tariffs. This decision aims to encourage negotiations but leaves the EU prepared to implement the tariffs if talks fail.

Quote:
"We believe these types of tariffs are harmful, counterproductive and on the other hand, to show that when it comes to these types of escalations we're not going to be pushed around."
— Olaf Gill, European Commission Spokesperson, [02:20]

The EU's President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the bloc's willingness to engage in dialogue, as reported by Schultz, reflecting the delicate balance between maintaining economic relationships and protecting regional interests.

3. U.S. Economic Indicators and Stock Market Volatility

[02:38] Jack Spear provides an update on the U.S. economy, noting that consumer prices rose by 2.4% in March compared to the previous year, as reported by the Labor Department. This increase is attributed to lower gas prices and a reduction in core inflation.

Despite these signs of controlled inflation, the stock market remains volatile. Following a significant rise the previous day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by over 1,000 points, and the NASDAQ dropped by 777 points, indicating investor uncertainty.

4. Tragic Helicopter Crash in the Hudson River

In a somber report, Jack Spear covers the fatal helicopter crash over the Hudson River that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a family of five from Spain and a sightseeing helicopter pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities have recovered the victims' bodies, and details surrounding the incident remain forthcoming.

5. NOAA Layoffs Under the Trump Administration

[03:46] Alejandro Barunda discusses the ongoing layoffs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Initially, hundreds of probationary employees were let go earlier in the year as part of federal government cuts initiated by the Trump administration. Although these employees were briefly rehired due to a court order, the order has since been overturned, leading to another round of firings.

Quote:
"Experts say the loss of so many people, along with other major disruptions to the agency is already impacting services like weather forecasting."
— Alejandro Barunda, [03:46]

The layoffs span various departments within NOAA, affecting critical operations such as climate research, fisheries management, and weather forecasting. NOAA has yet to respond to NPR's requests for comment, and the implications of these workforce reductions are beginning to be felt in the agency’s ability to deliver essential services.

6. Archaeological Discovery of a Denisov Jawbone in Taiwan

[04:30] In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, researchers in Taiwan have uncovered the jawbone of an early human ancestor belonging to the Denisovans—an extinct group closely related to both Neanderthals and modern humans. This finding, published in the journal Science, expands the known geographical range of Denisovans and provides new insights into their interactions with other hominin species.

Quote:
"Relatively little is known about the group that apparently interacted with both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens."
— Jack Spear, [04:30]

The discovery sheds light on the complex evolutionary history of early humans and the extent of Denisovan influence across different regions.

For more updates and in-depth coverage, stay tuned to NPR News Now.