NPR News Now: January 24, 2025, 8 PM EST
Host: NPR
Episode: NPR News: 01-23-2025 8PM EST
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Department of Defense Nomination: Pete Hegseth's Confirmation Advances
Speaker: Jack Spear (00:19)
NPR News begins by covering the procedural progress of Pete Hegseth's nomination to head the Department of Defense. Despite facing opposition from within his own party, Hegseth's confirmation appears likely to proceed smoothly.
Deidre Walsh reports that Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Senator Susan Collins of Maine have both announced their intention to vote against Hegseth. Murkowski cites concerns over his lack of experience and allegations of excessive drinking and inappropriate behavior that question his character (00:33). Collins echoes doubts about his capability to lead such a sizable department and remains unconvinced by Hegseth's retracted comments on women in combat roles (00:33).
Despite these Republican reservations and the absence of Democratic support, Hegseth can afford to lose up to three GOP votes without jeopardizing his confirmation. The final Senate vote is anticipated on Friday, with expectations leaning towards a party-line confirmation (00:33).
Veterans Affairs Nomination: Doug Collins Secures Committee Endorsement
Speaker: Jack Spear (01:23)
The nomination of Doug Collins to lead Veterans Affairs has successfully passed the Senate committee with an overwhelming 18 to 1 vote, signaling near certainty of his confirmation. Quill Lawrence details that Collins, an Air Force Reserve colonel and former Georgia congressman, received strong support despite concerns raised during his confirmation hearings about the federal hiring freeze's impact on VA staffing (01:33).
Collins admitted uncertainty regarding the application of the hiring freeze to VA positions, which previously led to the retraction of job offers for doctors and nurses following mixed messages from the administration. In response, the administration has exempted most healthcare positions at the VA from the freeze (01:33). Senate Democrats continue to push for comprehensive protection of all VA staff positions to ensure uninterrupted care for veterans (01:33).
President Trump's Economic Agenda at Davos
Tariffs and Trade Policies
Speaker: Jack Spear (02:13)
Deepa Shivaram reports on President Trump's address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he outlined his administration's economic strategies. Trump emphasized the importance of American manufacturing, stating, "if products aren't made in America, there will be tariffs added to them" (02:27).
Call for Lower Oil Prices to End the Ukraine War
Trump specifically called on Saudi Arabia to reduce oil prices, asserting that lower prices could "immediately end the Russia, Ukraine war" (02:52). He explained that Russia's reliance on high oil revenues was sustaining its military efforts in Ukraine (02:52).
Donald Trump stated:
"Right now, the price is high enough that that war will continue. You got to bring down the oil price. You got to end war." (02:52)
China's Role in Resolving the Conflict
Additionally, Trump mentioned that China's Xi Jinping could exert pressure on Russia's Vladimir Putin to cease the conflict, highlighting the potential for international cooperation in resolving the war (02:58).
U.S. Financial Markets Reach Record Highs
Speaker: Jack Spear (03:05)
In financial news, U.S. markets closed predominantly higher, with the S&P 500 increasing by 32 points. This surge pushed the broad market to another record high, driven by investor optimism over potential interest rate reductions (03:05). The positive market performance reflects hopes for sustained economic growth amid Trump's economic policies (03:05).
Purdue Pharma and Sackler Family Settle Opioid Lawsuits
Speaker: Jack Spear (03:05)
The Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, and the company itself have agreed to a substantial settlement of $7.44 billion to resolve lawsuits related to the opioid crisis sparked by OxyContin. This settlement is a significant improvement over a previous proposal that was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court due to protections that shielded family members from civil lawsuits despite the absence of bankruptcy proceedings (03:05).
This latest agreement adds to the growing body of opioid-related settlements, which have already surpassed $50 billion in recent years, highlighting the extensive legal and financial repercussions for the manufacturers of opioid medications (03:05).
ADHD Diagnosis Linked to Reduced Lifespan
Speaker: Jack Spear (04:00)
A new study reveals that adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter lifespans compared to those without the diagnosis. Maria Godoy reports that the research, conducted in the UK and involving over 30,000 adults, found that men with ADHD live an average of seven years less, while women with ADHD live about nine years less than their non-ADHD counterparts (04:00).
The study attributes this reduction in life expectancy to factors such as smoking, poor sleep, lack of exercise, inadequate nutrition, and risky driving behaviors, which are linked to the impulsivity characteristic of ADHD. These findings align with previous research indicating that untreated ADHD increases the risk of serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease. The researchers suggest that addressing these impulsive behaviors through treatment could mitigate some of the associated health risks (04:00).
Crude Oil Prices Drop Amid Economic Shifts
Speaker: Jack Spear (04:47)
In the energy sector, crude oil prices saw a decline, decreasing by 82 cents per barrel to settle at $74.62 in New York. This drop comes amid ongoing global economic adjustments and responses to international conflicts, including efforts to influence oil prices as a lever to end the war in Ukraine (04:47).
Conclusion
This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of critical national and international issues, including high-stakes political nominations, significant economic policies and their global implications, major financial market movements, pivotal legal settlements in the opioid crisis, and impactful health studies. By presenting these topics with insightful reporting and direct quotations, the podcast ensures listeners are well-informed on the pressing matters shaping the current landscape.
Note: This summary excludes sponsorship messages, introductions, and outros, focusing solely on the substantive content of the episode.