NPR News Now: April 9, 2025
Host: Dave Mattingly
Released: April 9, 2025
Duration: Approximately 4 minutes
1. Asian Stock Markets Decline Amid US-China Trade Tensions
NPR's Dave Mattingly opens the episode reporting a downward trend in Asian stock markets. Japan's Nikkei index notably closed nearly 4% lower as President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on China came into effect. This move has sparked concerns of an extended trade war, with Beijing asserting its readiness to engage in prolonged economic measures against the United States. Additionally, markets in Taiwan and Hong Kong experienced declines, reflecting investor unease. Wall Street futures mirrored this pessimism, trading mostly lower in the early morning hours.
2. Trump Administration Pushes to Revitalize the Coal Industry
In a significant policy shift, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders aimed at expanding the use of coal within the United States. Lauren Sommer of NPR details the administration's strategy to allow older coal power plants to remain operational by relaxing existing air pollution standards. The orders also encourage coal mining on federal lands, positioning the industry to meet the increasing electricity demands from burgeoning sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence.
Lauren Sommer explains, "Trump's order could allow some older coal power plants to stay open by allowing them to meet less stringent air pollution rules." [00:41]
This initiative has garnered applause from coal industry stakeholders but has faced criticism from environmentalists. The resurgence of coal comes at a time when its share in electricity generation has plummeted by over 60% since 2010, primarily due to the rise of more cost-effective energy sources such as natural gas and renewables. Furthermore, coal is recognized for its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change concerns.
3. Federal Funding Suspended for Cornell and Northwestern Universities
The Trump administration has taken a stringent stance against academic institutions by freezing more than $1 billion in federal funding allocated to Cornell University and nearly $800 million to Northwestern University. Dave Mattingly reports that the White House has placed these funds on hold pending a government investigation into alleged civil rights violations at both institutions. The administration has not provided further details, but this action is viewed as part of a broader effort to leverage government funding to align academic agendas with presidential policies.
4. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Announces Challenge to Senator John Cornyn
In Texas political news, Attorney General Ken Paxton has declared his intention to challenge incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn in the upcoming GOP primary. Blaze Gainey of the Texas Newsroom covers Paxton's campaign launch, which took place on Fox's "The Ingraham Angle."
Paxton emphasized his commitment to Republican values and support for President Trump, stating, "We have another great U.S. senator Ted Cruz, and it's time we have another great senator that will actually stand up and fight for Republican values, fight for the values of, of the people of Texas, and also support Trump in the areas that he's focused on in a very significant way. And that's what I plan on doing." [02:15]
Gainey adds, "Paxton's hoping to unseat Cornyn, who's been representing Texas in the U.S. senate since 2002. He says the state is ready for a change." [02:06]
The primary challenge is expected to be highly competitive and costly, with both candidates preparing for a year-long campaign. Notably, Paxton faces scrutiny from his past, having been impeached on corruption charges in 2023, though he was subsequently acquitted.
5. Tragic Nightclub Collapse in the Dominican Republic
A devastating incident unfolded in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where the roof of a nightclub collapsed during a concert by beloved merengue singer Ruby Perez, resulting in nearly 100 fatalities. Among the victims were former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco. The BBC's Luis Varjado reports that investigators are exploring potential causes, including a previous fire in the building attributed to lightning a few years prior. The nightclub's owner has publicly stated full cooperation with authorities, but as of now, the exact reasons behind the collapse remain unclear.
6. Southern California Youth Soccer Coach Faces Murder Charges
In Southern California, authorities have charged Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, a youth soccer coach, with murder in connection to the death of a 13-year-old boy. Prosecutors allege that Aquino, also accused of being a sexual predator, was responsible for the teenager's disappearance and subsequent death. The family reported the boy missing on March 30 after he boarded a train to visit Aquino north of Los Angeles and failed to return. This case has sparked significant concern regarding safety and misconduct within youth sports programs.
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