NPR News Now: April 11, 2025, 4PM EDT
NPR News Now delivers the latest updates in five minutes, offering a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing issues. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed in the April 11, 2025 episode, providing insights and notable quotes to inform listeners who missed the broadcast.
U.S. Markets Surge Amid Economic Uncertainty
Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by highlighting a turbulent week on Wall Street that concluded on a high note. U.S. markets ended sharply higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average soaring over 600 points and major indices climbing between 1.5% to 2%[^00:24^]. Despite the positive closing, investor anxiety remains palpable due to ongoing tariff disputes and the escalating standoff between the United States and China.
Notable Quote:
"The phones are ringing off the hooks. They've made it very clear they need the United States of America, they need our markets, they need our consumer base."
— Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary [00:46]
U.S.-China Trade Standoff Intensifies
Scott Horsley delves into the complexities of the U.S.-China trade tensions. The United States has imposed a 10% tariff on imports from most countries and a substantial 145% tariff specifically on goods from China[^00:56^]. Economists from the Yale Budget Lab caution that these tariffs are the highest the U.S. has implemented since the early 20th century. Even a significant reduction in Chinese imports due to the hefty taxes would maintain tariff levels not seen since the 1930s, a period marked by a global trade war that exacerbated the Great Depression.
Notable Insights:
- The tariffs could severely impact global trade dynamics.
- Historical comparisons highlight the potential long-term economic repercussions.
Legal Battle Over Wrongful Deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia
Lakshmi Singh reports on the contentious legal proceedings involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, M.D., who was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador[^01:22^]. Federal Judge Paula Zini has ordered the Justice Department to provide daily updates on efforts to secure Garcia's return to the United States. The hearing followed a Supreme Court decision that largely upheld Judge Zini's original order, asserting that the deportation was unlawful.
Notable Quote:
"The government was prohibited from sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in the first place."
— Judge Paula Zini [01:40]
Deportation Policies Under Scrutiny: The Case of Mahmoud Khalil
A Louisiana judge has ruled that Mahmoud Khalil, a university student and activist arrested for protesting against the war in Gaza, can be deported[^02:25^]. This decision is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to pressure immigrants into self-deportation by canceling their Social Security numbers, thereby removing financial incentives for illegal immigrants to remain in the country.
Ashley Lopez explains that the Social Security Administration has flagged immigrants deemed ineligible for benefits by moving their Social Security numbers to a master file titled "Ineligible or Death." Liz Huston, White House spokesperson, stated:
Notable Quote:
"President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport."
— Liz Huston, White House Spokesperson [02:44]
President Trump's Annual Physical Exam
At age 78, President Donald Trump underwent his annual physical on April 11, 2025[^03:09^]. While it's customary for presidents to release selective medical information, the Trump administration has yet to provide detailed results. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt assured the public:
Notable Quote:
"It's a yearly physical that every president receives, and we will provide an update on that by the president's position as soon as we possibly can."
— Caroline Levitt, Press Secretary [03:42]
Details:
- The president's physician is Sean Barbabela, a Navy physician with service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Post-exam, President Trump plans to travel to his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Passing of Tracy Schwartz, Last of the New Lost City Ramblers
The episode concludes with the sad news of Tracy Schwartz, the last surviving member of the folk trio New Lost City Ramblers, passing away in Elkins, West Virginia, at the age of 86[^04:04^]. Elizabeth Blair offers a heartfelt remembrance:
Notable Insights:
- Tracy Schwartz was a versatile musician, proficient in fiddle, banjo, guitar, and accordion.
- Beyond performing, Schwartz was an educator who recorded fiddle instruction albums and contributed to numerous Smithsonian Folkways recordings.
- His dedication to music education left a lasting legacy, emphasizing inclusivity in learning musical instruments and singing.
Closing Remarks
The episode wraps up with a brief mention of market performance, noting the Dow closing up 619 points, or roughly 1.5%[^03:09^].
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