NPR News Now – January 28, 2025, 5 PM EST

Host: Jack Spear
Source: NPR News Now
Release Date: January 28, 2025

1. White House Implements Federal Funding Freeze Amid Confusion

[00:14]
NPR host Jack Spear opens the episode by addressing a critical White House announcement. A newly issued memo by President Trump has ordered a temporary freeze on federal government grants. This move has sparked widespread confusion regarding the continuation of direct assistance to citizens.

[00:36]
Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, clarifies the administration's stance. She states, “This is only a temporary pause,” emphasizing that the freeze aims to ensure fiscal alignment with the president's executive orders and policy initiatives. Levitt highlights that the administration is focused on terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and reversing environmental policies established during the Biden era.

[01:14]
Despite assurances from the White House, legal experts from the Democrat side argue that the president is overstepping his authority. They claim the move violates both federal law and the Constitution, specifically referencing Congress's exclusive power over government spending. Levitt counters by citing the White House counsel's office opinion that grants this fiscal authority to the president.

[01:14]
Jack Spear adds that essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Pell Grants, and federal education loans remain unaffected by the funding freeze. However, the duration of this pause remains uncertain, leaving many beneficiaries in a state of limbo.

2. President Trump Fires Two Biden Appointees from the National Labor Relations Board

[01:14]
Continuing on governmental shifts, Jack Spear reports President Trump's unprecedented move to remove two Biden-era appointees from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

[01:35]
Andrea Hsu from NPR explains the significance of these firings. The first appointee, Jennifer Abruzzo, served as the agency's general counsel and was known for holding employers accountable and enhancing workers' rights. The unexpected removal of Gwen Wilcox, a Democratic board member, has raised legal concerns. Under federal law, board members can only be dismissed for "neglect of duty or malfeasance." Wilcox has declared her removal "illegal" and intends to pursue legal challenges, leaving the NLRB with insufficient members to function effectively.

3. Danish Prime Minister Seeks European Support Against Trump’s Greenland Seizure Plans

[02:16]
Jack Spear transitions to international affairs, highlighting Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s diplomatic efforts to counter President Trump's ambitions regarding Greenland.

[02:26]
Rob Schmitz reports that President Trump has expressed intentions to annex Greenland, using various strategies ranging from economic pressure to potential military action. In response, Prime Minister Frederiksen embarked on a diplomatic tour, meeting with key European leaders including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. These meetings follow Denmark’s announcement of a new $2 billion defense package aimed at bolstering Arctic defense capabilities through new ships, long-range drones, and enhanced satellite technology.

4. Wall Street Surges as China Advances in Renewable Energy and Breakthroughs in Gene Editing

[03:02]
Jack Spear provides an economic update, noting that Wall Street saw gains with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 136 points and the Nasdaq increasing by 391 points.

[03:02]
Shifting focus to environmental news, he highlights China's significant strides in renewable energy. Last year, China installed 357 gigawatts of wind and solar power, marking 45% and 18% increases respectively. This achievement surpasses the country's five-year-old target of 1,200 gigawatts by 2030. Despite being the largest contributor to global climate change due to heavy coal reliance, China’s rapid renewable expansion demonstrates a pivotal shift.

[03:58]
Rob Stein reports on a groundbreaking scientific advancement from China. Researchers have successfully created mice with two genetic fathers and no mother by utilizing gene editing techniques. This involved modifying 20 key variations in mouse embryonic stem cells and injecting them into enucleated mouse eggs. The study, published in the journal Stem Cell, opens new avenues for understanding reproduction and offers hope for same-sex couples and individuals facing infertility to have genetically related offspring.

5. Crude Oil Prices Rebound Amid Tariff Concerns and Geopolitical Tensions

[04:36]
In the energy sector, Jack Spear notes a slight recovery in crude oil futures, which climbed 60 cents per barrel to $73.77. This uptick comes as investors remain wary of potential tariffs on Canadian and Mexican oil exports and ongoing protests that have disrupted oil shipments at Libyan ports.

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a breadth of pressing issues, from domestic policy shifts and labor board upheavals to international diplomatic maneuvers, economic movements, and scientific breakthroughs. Through expert reporting and timely updates, the podcast provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current news landscape.