Global markets rally after Trump pauses ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

President Donald Trump’s tariff reversal sends markets soaring. Also, increased legal disputes surround the Trump administration’s deportation of suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the application of the Alien Enemies Act. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Global markets rally after Trump pauses ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

Asian and European markets have rallied in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend tariffs on nearly all American trading partners for 90 days.

Key Asian indices opened Thursday, April 10, with significant recoveries — a welcome relief following a week of turbulence and sell-offs driven by concerns over escalating trade wars and recessions.

Japan’s Nikkei was up 8%, while the broader Topix index rose more than 7.5%. South Korea’s KOSPI increased by nearly 6%, while Taiwan’s TAIEX jumped by more than 9%. Additionally, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 4.6%.

Even key Chinese markets were in the green, despite Trump isolating and calling out China while raising tariffs on goods coming from the communist country well above 100%.

Straight Arrow News reporter Karah Rucker details Trump’s latest move, sending the American markets soaring here.

On Wall Street, the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures were lower Thursday morning before trading.

China is reportedly reaching out to other nations in an apparent attempt to form a united front to persuade Trump to retract his tariffs.

Chinese state media reported that the country’s premier had a phone call on Wednesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, expressing hopes to work together to “strengthen communication and exchanges, and deepen China-EU trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.” The two countries are each other’s largest trading partners.

All European Union member countries, except Hungary, voted on Wednesday, April 9, to impose tariffs on select American products beginning next week. That vote followed an earlier series of U.S. measures imposing 25% tariffs on European steel and aluminum.

House Republican leaders delay budget vote over GOP opposition

House Republican leaders, in a step described by Speaker Mike Johnson as “all part of the process,” postponed a vote on the Senate’s multi-trillion dollar budget framework aimed at advancing Trump’s domestic agenda after several days of negotiations.

The vote was supposed to be held Wednesday night, April 9. However, it became evident that it would not pass, as over a dozen Republicans expressed their inability to support the bill.

House GOP leaders continued to meet with holdouts late into Wednesday night and are reportedly considering adjustments to bring them on board.

Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House and will require a near-unanimous agreement to pass the budget, which will establish the framework for new tax, immigration, defense and energy measures.

Trump praises Whitmer in unexpected Oval Office meeting

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a potential Democratic presidential candidate for 2028, visited the White House on Wednesday, April 9. She attended to discuss state matters, including funding for an air national guard base.

However, Trump invited her to the Oval Office for a signing ceremony, where he stated that the Democrat had truly done an excellent job. He even referred to her as a very good person.

She then stood at the back while the president signed executive orders directing federal agencies to revoke security clearances and review the activities of two high-level former government officials who questioned his claims of election fraud in 2020. He reiterated that the election was fraudulent.

A democratic operative described the bipartisan photo op as a disaster.

Whitmer’s spokesperson later clarified that her attendance did not imply endorsement of the event’s actions or statements.

Earlier, Whitmer angered some fellow Democrats while delivering a policy speech. In her remarks regarding the president’s tariff policy, she expressed that she does not oppose tariffs in principle and acknowledges Trump’s rationale for implementing them.

Federal judges block Venezuelan deportations to El Salvador

Two federal judges issued separate orders preventing the Trump administration from using an 18th-century wartime law to deport Venezuelans accused of being violent gang members to El Salvador.

New York and Texas rulings directly responded to the U.S. Supreme Court decision on Monday, April 7, allowing Trump’s administration to continue deportations. The Supreme Court ruled that migrants subject to deportation under the Alien Enemies Act must be notified before their deportation, allowing them to challenge it in court.

However, the justices ruled that those challenges must be issued in the locations where the suspected illegal immigrants are being held.

U.S. immigration authorities have already deported more than 100 migrants to a notorious prison in El Salvador — without allowing them to challenge their removals in court.

In a recent update, the FBI in Mobile, Alabama, reported the arrest of six alleged members of Tren de Aragua on Wednesday, April 9. The FBI reported the individuals were in the country without legal status.

Nightclub roof collapse search shifts from rescue to recovery

In the Dominican Republic, officials confirmed more than 180 people died after the roof collapsed at a popular nightclub during a concert Tuesday, April 8. Officials said rescuers had transported more than 150 survivors to local hospitals.

Efforts have now shifted to recovery mode as hopes of finding additional survivors dwindle. No one has been pulled alive from the rubble in over 24 hours.

The head of the country’s emergency operations said crews will continue working until they recover the last body.

The exact number of people inside the club at the time of the collapse remains unknown. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is still ongoing.

LeBron James becomes first male athlete depicted as a ‘Ken’ doll

As if his status as a legendary basketball player were not enough, it’s now clear LeBron James is “Ken-ough.” The star baller is now the first professional male athlete to have his likeness featured in a Ken doll.

James is the first to be featured in Mattel’s new “Kenbassador” series. Since the basketball star is 6 feet 9 inches tall, the doll will be one inch taller than the standard Ken doll.

James collaborated with Barbie designers to coordinate his Ken doll’s look, which includes a blue and white “LJ” varsity jacket, a Lebron James Family Foundation “We are Family” t-shirt, sunglasses, Beats headphones and matching blue and white Nike sneakers.

The dolls officially go on sale Monday, April 14, for $75.