NPR News: 01-28-2025 5AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 28, 2025, 5 AM EST

Host: Dave Mattingly
Reporters: Nina Kravinski, Asma Khalid, Maria Aspen

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1. Surge of Migrants from the U.S. to Mexico

[00:18] Dave Mattingly opens the episode with a significant development in U.S.-Mexico relations:

"The government of Mexico says it's received more than 4,000 migrants from the US since President Trump returned to the White House last week."

[00:35] Nina Kravinski from KJZZ provides an in-depth analysis:

It remains unclear whether the 4,000 individuals are deportees or migrants denied entry at the border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had previously expressed hopes to negotiate with then-President-elect Trump to accept only Mexican nationals. However, Sheinbaum acknowledged that Mexico has, in the past, admitted non-Mexican migrants, especially when diplomatic tensions with a third country complicate direct repatriation.

"Schoenbaum pointed out that Mexico has in the past accepted non-Mexican migrants. That can happen in cases where strained diplomatic relations between the third country and the US make it hard to repatriate those people directly back to their country of origin."
[00:35]

This situation underscores the ongoing complexities in immigration policies and international relations between the U.S. and Mexico.

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2. President Trump's Executive Orders and Military Directives

[01:13] Dave Mattingly outlines four significant executive orders signed by President Trump concerning the U.S. military:

1. Next-Generation Missile Defense Shield: Orders the Pentagon to deploy a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against aerial threats. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been tasked with submitting a detailed plan within 60 days.

2. Reinstatement of Discharged Service Members: Allows the military to rehire service members who were discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. These individuals would return at their former rank, accompanied by back pay and benefits.

3. Upcoming Meetings with International Leaders: Trump announced plans to meet with leaders from Israel and India, signaling a focus on strengthening alliances and addressing global security concerns.

[01:55] Asma Khalid reports on Trump's travels aboard Air Force One:

During his journey, Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the United States imminently, a move seen as crucial amidst a fragile ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

“You know, when you look at the Gaza Strip, it's been hell for so many years."
[02:12]

Trump emphasized his desire for Palestinians to relocate to safer and more comfortable areas within Gaza:

"...he'd like to get people living in areas that are, quote, safer and maybe more comfortable."
[02:16]

Additionally, Trump mentioned an upcoming meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February, highlighting their close relationship despite ongoing discussions about trade and immigration policies.

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3. Confirmation of Scott Bessant as Treasury Secretary

[02:37] Dave Mattingly reports on the Senate's confirmation of President Trump's nominee for the Treasury Department:

Billionaire investor Scott Bessant secured confirmation with a 68-29 vote. Bessant is anticipated to advocate for the extension and potential expansion of the tax cuts implemented during Trump's first term.

Looking ahead, President Trump is set to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the position of Health and Human Services Secretary, with his confirmation scheduled for Capitol Hill the following day.

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4. Political Developments: Florida Congressional Primaries

[02:37] Continuing on political news, Dave Mattingly highlights the two congressional primaries in Florida aimed at filling House seats vacated by Republicans Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Waltz has transitioned to serve as President Trump's national security adviser, indicating a strategic reshuffling within Trump's administration.

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5. Impact of Chinese AI Startup Deepseek on U.S. Tech Stocks

[03:39] Maria Aspen discusses the financial repercussions of a breakthrough by Chinese startup Deepseek:

Deepseek launched a free AI assistant that quickly became the most downloaded app on the U.S. Apple Store. Despite being lesser-known prior to this release, Deepseek's AI model rivals the performance of established entities like ChatGPT and Google's AI, all while operating at a significantly lower cost.

This advancement has unsettled investors, leading to a sharp decline in tech stocks on Wall Street:

"Tech stocks on Wall street sharply lower yesterday. The Nasdaq lost 612 points, or more than 3%."
[03:39]

The emergence of a cost-efficient AI model by Deepseek casts doubt on the necessity of the billions invested by major tech companies in developing their own AI technologies.

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6. Legal Pressure on Costco’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies

[04:24] Dave Mattingly covers the legal challenges facing Costco:

Attorneys general from 19 states, led by Texas and Iowa—all Republican-led—are urging Costco to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The concerns cited include potential legal liabilities and allegations of discrimination. The attorneys general have demanded that Costco respond within 30 days regarding its intent to repeal these policies.

This legal push aligns with one of President Trump's recent executive orders mandating government agencies to eliminate DEI initiatives, reflecting a broader political movement against such policies.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now captured a spectrum of pressing issues, from international migration and military strategies to political appointments and technological disruptions. The nuanced discussions provided by reporters like Nina Kravinski, Asma Khalid, and Maria Aspen offer listeners comprehensive insights into the multifaceted landscape shaping early 2025.

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Note: Advertisements from Intuit and Warby Parker were omitted from this summary as per instructions.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. The government of Mexico says it's received more than 4,000 migrants from the US since President Trump returned to the White House last week. Nina Kravinski with member station KJZZ reports.

[Nina Kravinski]

It wasn't immediately clear if those 4,000 people are all deportees or if some are migrants who were turned away at the border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had said last year that she hoped to reach an agreement with then President elect Trump to only take Mexican citizens. Schoenbaum pointed out that Mexico has in the past accepted non Mexican migrants. That can happen in cases where strained diplomatic relations between the third country and the US make it hard to repatriate those people directly back to their country of origin. For NPR News, I'm Nina Kravinsky in Hermosillo, Mexico.

[Dave Mattingly]

The president has signed four executive orders involving the US Military. One calls for the Pentagon to deploy a next generation missile defense shield to defend the US from aerial attacks. It calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to submit a plan for the system within 60 days. Another order signed by Trump allows the military to reinstate service members who were discharged for refusing to get the COVID 19 vaccine. They would return to work to their former rank with back pay and benefits. President Trump says he plans to meet with the leaders of Israel and India in the near future. NPR's Asma Khalid reports on Trump's remarks while traveling aboard Air Force One.

[Asma Khalid]

Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to the United States to meet very soon. This trip could come at a critical moment amidst the fragile ceasefire hostage deal. Trump also doubled down on his prior comments that Palestinians ought to move out of Gaza.

[Donald Trump]

You know, when you look at the Gaza Strip, it's been hell for so many years.

[Asma Khalid]

He said he'd like to get people living in areas that are, quote, safer and maybe more comfortable. Trump also said he'll be meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon, likely in February. The two men have had a close relationship, though Trump is pushing India on trade and immigration. Asma Khalid, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

President Trump's pick to lead the Treasury Department has been confirmed by the Senate. Billionaire investor Scott Bessant was approved by a vote of 68 to 29. He's expected to lead the push for Congress to extend and possibly expand the tax cuts that were approved during Trump's first first term in office. Tomorrow, Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Is due on Capitol Hill. There are two congressional primaries today in Florida to fill the House seats given up by Republicans Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Waltz now serves as President Trump's national security adviser. This is NPR News. Word that a Chinese startup has produced an artificial intelligence model operating at a fraction of the cost of those from companies such as AI and Google sent tech stocks on Wall street sharply lower yesterday. The Nasdaq lost 612 points, or more than 3%. As NPR's Maria Aspen reports, the Chinese.

[Maria Aspen]

Startup Deepseek was little known before last week when it released its free AI assistant. Now its app is the most popular download on the US Apple Store. AI experts say that Deep Seq performs almost as well as ChatGPT and other established AI models, and the company says it's much cheaper. That's worrying investors who are concerned about how much the tech industry has been spending on artificial intelligence. Meta, Microsoft, Google and other big tech companies have been pouring billions into AI and promising their investors that it will pay off eventually. Deep Seq is making them wonder whether all this spending was necessary in the first place. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Dave Mattingly]

Attorneys general in 19 states, led by Texas and Iowa, are calling on membership warehouse Costco to drop its diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The attorneys general, all Republicans, cite concerns about potential legal liabilities and discrimination. They're asking the company to notify them within 30 days whether it plans to repeal the policies. One of Trump's executive orders issued last week directs government agencies to eliminate dei. I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington.

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