NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-09-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: April 10, 2025

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This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com slash switch. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. In another stunning about face, I'm Jack Spear. In another stunning about face, President Donald Trump today paused his plans to slap new even higher tariffs on goods from most countries around the world. As to why the 90-day pause was put in place, Amperes-Mar-Lyson reports, that's not entirely clear. First, the White House spent most of the day saying it was all part of the plan. Treasury

Secretary Scott Besson told reporters this pause had nothing to do with the markets tanking. But then when President Trump was asked about it, he gave a different explanation for the pause. Here's what he said. Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting yippy, you know, they were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid. So it sounds like the market turmoil was the reason Trump made the pause. The announcement came during trading hours and the markets did make up for some of its

recent losses. The move in fact triggered a powerful rally on Wall Street, however some tariffs remained in place. A 10% tariff for nearly all US trading partners and in the case of China, 125%. US Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced it will begin screening immigrant social media for anti-Semitic activity as grounds to deny immigration requests. More from NPR's Jasmine Garz. The screenings may affect people applying for permanent residence status and foreigners

affiliated with educational institutions. The Department of Homeland Security in a statement said it will quote, protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens, including those who support anti-Semitic terrorism. The announcement comes following the detention of pro-Palestinian student activists like Mahmoud Khalil, who's been held for a month. Advocates say it's an attack on free speech. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem recently posted on X, quote, it is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence

and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked. Jasmine Garst, NPR News, New York. The Trump administration is holding work on the National Climate Assessment. NPR's Rebecca Herscher reports it's the most comprehensive source of information about how climate change affects the U.S. The National Climate Assessment is required by Congress, and the next one was expected in 2027. The report includes the latest information about sea level rise, changing weather patterns, and other climate change effects.

It's written in plain language, so everyone from farmers and fishermen to teachers and judges can use it. A small staff of about 25 people helps coordinate the hundreds of scientists who write the report. Now the federal government has canceled the contract that paid for those staff, according to two government officials with direct knowledge of the cuts. They agreed to speak to NPR on the condition of anonymity because they fear professional retaliation. Rebecca Herscher, NPR News. One of the biggest days in history on Wall Street that downjumped nearly 3,000 points. This is NPR. Pope Francis has met privately with Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Vatican

during the royal couple's four-day state visit to Italy. As NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports, it's the first known meeting since the pope returned from the hospital. Ruth Asking, King Charles is also the head of the Church of England. He and Queen Camilla were scheduled to meet Pope Francis during their state visit to Italy, but this meeting was postponed because the 88-year-old pope is convalescing after battling double pneumonia. But then, in the end, the Pope invited the royal couple for a private audience in Vatican City. The encounter reportedly lasted about 20 minutes and included a private exchange of gifts. A statement from the Vatican says the Pope expressed his best wishes to the royal couple on this, their 20th wedding anniversary.

And the Pope reciprocated his Majesty's wishes for a speedy recovery. King Charles is undergoing treatment for cancer. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. Mr Pugsley Adams is an unusual name for an unusual cat who lives in Minnesota. While a fairly normal-looking Maine Coon cat, it seems he has one special quality, an enormous tail to go with his gleaming coat. The cat goes by the nickname Puggy, making the Guinness Book of Records with his tail measuring 18 and a half inches.

Puggy's splendid elongated tail beating the old record held by another cat from Michigan by more than two inches. Puggy lives with three other Maine Coon cats and their people. Crude oil futures prices bounce back from four-year lows today, oil up 4.5% to settle at $62.35 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right.

They offer premium wireless plans for less, and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com switch.