NPR News: 01-03-2025 5PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 3, 2025, 5 PM EST

On January 3, 2025, NPR News Now delivered an array of critical updates spanning political developments, economic indicators, weather forecasts, international relations, and technological promotions. Below is a detailed summary of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes.

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1. President Elect Donald Trump's Upcoming Sentencing Hearing

[00:24] Jack Spear reported on the scheduling of President Elect Donald Trump's sentencing in his New York criminal case. The hearing is set for January 10th, merely ten days before Trump's inauguration for a second term.

Ximena Bustillo provided further insights:

"Judge Merchan said that because Trump does not have presidential immunity in this case and the jury had delivered its verdict after weighing testimony and evidence, a sentence should be served ahead of Trump's inauguration" [00:41].

Judge Juan Merchan emphasized that while jail time for Trump remains unlikely, the lack of presidential immunity necessitates the sentencing to occur before Trump assumes office. If a sentence cannot be imposed prior to inauguration, the judge may defer it until after Trump leaves office.

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2. GOP Speaker Election and Intra-Party Divisions

[01:25] Jack Spear covered the Republican Party's internal dynamics as Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana successfully secured the speaker's gavel during the 119th session of Congress.

Amanda Bastillo highlighted the critical vote:

"After two GOP dissenters reversed course, Johnson won the necessary 218 votes to retain the speaker's gavel" [01:32].

Mike Johnson stated:

"The path of prosperity has long been paved with policies that put America and Americans first, and that is what we will champion in the 119th Congress" [01:44].

Despite Johnson's victory, Jack Spear noted persistent divisions within the GOP:

"While Johnson prevailed, deep divisions remain within the GOP ranks" [01:57].

Amanda Bastillo also mentioned the reelection of House Minority Leader Akeem Jeffries, with Democrats expressing a commitment to bipartisan collaboration on issues such as border security and the economy [02:00].

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3. President Biden Blocks Nippon Steel's U.S. Acquisition

[02:06] Jack Spear reported that President Joe Biden formally blocked a nearly $15 billion deal proposed by Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase a U.S. steel company.

Franco Ordonez elaborated on the President's rationale:

"Steel production and the steel workers who produce the backbone of our nation, and without them, the nation is less strong and less secure" [02:23].

President Biden cited national security concerns and a commitment to supporting union workers as reasons for rejecting the acquisition. This move aligns with Donald Trump's stance, who also indicated he would block the sale, reflecting bipartisan agreement on maintaining a strong domestic steel industry.

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4. Severe Winter Storm Bracing the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

A significant weather event is anticipated to impact the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Amanda Bastillo reported:

"Bracing for what's expected to be an icy wintery blast over the weekend into early next week" [03:03].

Jack Spear added details about the storm's trajectory:

"They say it could hit the eastern two-thirds of the country, reaching perhaps as far south as Florida" [03:16].

Meteorologists are forecasting a snow and ice storm followed by frigid temperatures, posing challenges for millions in the affected areas.

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5. Positive Economic Indicators: Stock Market and Auto Sales

[03:18] Jack Spear highlighted a boost in financial markets:

"Stocks jumped on Wall Street today. The Dow is up 339 points" [03:18].

Additionally, the auto industry showed robust recovery:

"New car sales reached a five-year high in 2024 as the auto industry continues to recover from pandemic sales lows" [03:23].

Sales are projected to approach 16 million units for the year, the highest since 2019, driven by higher inventories, increased incentives, and rising demand for hybrid vehicles. Amanda Bastillo noted:

"Automakers are hoping those strong numbers continue into the new year" [03:34].

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6. International Relations: French and German Foreign Ministers Visit Syria

In a significant diplomatic effort, the foreign ministers of France and Germany made their first visits to Damascus since the establishment of Syria's new government following the overthrow of the Assad regime.

Dia Hadid reported:

"A video of the meeting between the ministers and Syria's new ruler, Ahmad Al Sharar, was widely shared online" [03:42].

During the meeting, Annalena Baerbock, Germany's female foreign minister, was politely declined a handshake by Ahmad Al Sharar, a conservative Muslim leader. The European Union expressed support for Syria, emphasizing the inclusion of all minorities and religious groups in the country's political landscape. Sharar called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the former Assad regime and urged Western countries to provide a clear pathway to international recognition to prevent empowering hardline factions.

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7. Apple Promotes Free Access to Apple TV Streaming Service

In the technology sector, Amanda Bastillo announced:

"This weekend, experts are calling it something of a smart promotion as Apple looks to boost its subscriber base" [04:44].

Apple is offering free access to its Apple TV streaming service, allowing consumers to sample premium content without a subscription. This strategy aims to attract new users by providing a glimpse behind Apple's paywall, potentially increasing long-term subscriber numbers.

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This comprehensive overview encapsulates the primary topics discussed in the January 3rd episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a well-rounded understanding of the current events shaping the national and international landscape.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President elect Donald Trump has been schedul for sentencing in his New York criminal case. The date will be just 10 days before he's sworn in as president for a second time.

[Amanda Bastillo]

More from NPR's Amanda Bastillo.

[Ximena Bustillo]

New York Judge Juan Merchan ordered the sentencing hearing to take place on January 10th. In his order, Merchan said he will not be sentencing Trump to jail, a possibility legal scholars have long said was unlikely. Still, he said that because Trump does not have presidential immunity in this case and the jury had delivered its verdict after weighing testimony and evidence, a sentence should be served ahead of Trump's inquiry. Inauguration Trump's legal team spent months attempting to dismiss the case altogether and argued that he had presidential immunity. Last month, Merchan denied the immunity. If Trump is not sentenced before inauguration, Merchand says it may have to wait until Trump is out of office. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Spear]

Representative Mike Johnson of Louisiana gaveling the 119th session of Congress to order today.

[Amanda Bastillo]

After two two GOP dissenters reverse course, Johnson winning the necessary 218 votes to retain the speaker's gavel, he remarks after today's vote, Johnson promised to push President elect Donald Trump's America first agenda.

[Mike Johnson]

The path of prosperity has long been paved with policies that put America and Americans first, and that is what we will champion in the 119th Congress.

[Jack Spear]

While Johnson prevailed, deep divisions remain within the GOP ranks.

[Amanda Bastillo]

House Minority Leader Akeem Jeffries Easley was reelected by Democrats pledging to work with.

[Jack Spear]

Republicans on issues ranging from border security to the economy. President Joe Biden formally blocked a nearly $15 billion deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. steel.

[Amanda Bastillo]

As NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, Biden says.

[Jack Spear]

It'S his responsibility to ensure America has a strong steel industry.

[Franco Ordonez]

In one of his final major acts as president, Biden rejected the takeover deal of the Pennsylvania based company over national security concerns. He wrote in a statement that steel production and the steel workers who produce the backbone of our nation, and without them, the nation is less strong and less secure. The proposed deal turned into a hot political issue. Biden took the unusual step to weigh in on the deal. He sided with union workers and said the company should remain in US Hands. President Elect Donald Trump has also said he would block the sale. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

The Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions are.

[Amanda Bastillo]

Bracing for what's expected to be an.

[Jack Spear]

Icy wintery blast over the weekend into early next week.

[Amanda Bastillo]

Meteorologists forecasting a snow and ice storm.

[Jack Spear]

To be followed by frigid temperatures.

[Amanda Bastillo]

They say it could hit the eastern.

[Jack Spear]

Two thirds of the country, reaching perhaps.

[Amanda Bastillo]

As far south as Florida.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks jumped on Wall street today. The Dow up 339 points. This is NPR. New car sales reached a five year high in 2024 as the auto industry continues to recover from pandemic sales lows.

[Amanda Bastillo]

Sales for the year gone by, expected.

[Jack Spear]

To be near 16 million units, the highest level since 2019.

[Amanda Bastillo]

Automakers are hoping those strong numbers continue.

[Jack Spear]

Into the new year, fueled by higher inventories, increased incentives and demand for more hybrid vehicles. The French and German foreign ministers have made their first visit to Damascus since rebels overturned the former Assad regime and established a new government. NPR's Dia Hadid reports from Damascus.

[Dia Hadid]

A video of the meeting between the ministers and Syria's new ruler, Ahmad Al Sharar, was widely shared online. That's partly because Sharra, a conservative Muslim, politely declined to shake the hand of Germany's female foreign minister ahead of her trip. Annalena Baobock said in a statement that the EU will offer support to Syria and that the bloc expects Syrians from all minorities and religious groups to have a role in the country's politics. Shadaa is urging Western countries to lift sanctions once imposed to punish the former Assad regime. Some foreign policy experts also call on Western countries to offer a swift roadmap to international recognition. They say delays will embolden hardliners. Dear Hadid, NPR News, Damascus.

[Jack Spear]

Apple's hoping consumers grab some snacks and log onto its Apple TV streaming service, which it will be offering for free.

[Amanda Bastillo]

This weekend, experts calling it something of a smart promotion as Apple looks to boost its subscriber base today, promotion will give viewers a taste of what's behind Apple's paywall. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Host]

Listen to this Podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.