NPR News Now: January 29, 2025, 10 AM EST

Host: Kristen Wright
Producer: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

Senate Confirmation Hearings for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Kristen Wright opens the episode by discussing the ongoing Senate confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Controversy Surrounding the Nominee: Kennedy faces criticism due to his skepticism of vaccines and other contentious viewpoints. This has sparked a significant debate over his suitability for the role.

• Deferred Resignations for Federal Employees: The Trump administration is offering federal employees "deferred resignations" with full pay and benefits if they agree to leave their positions by the end of September.

  • Andrea Hsu of NPR explains, “[00:53] I think some workers who have been remote for years, since before the pandemic, they may have already been planning to resign. So maybe some of them will. But others I've spoken to this week are really determined to stay in their jobs. You know, they took these jobs because they believe in the mission. They believe in serving the country. They want to be enforcing the law.”
  • This move follows President Trump’s initial order to end remote work for federal employees, aiming to bring employees back to physical offices.

Federal Judge Blocks Federal Payment Freeze

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's plan to freeze federal payments for grants, loans, and other programs until Monday. This ruling provides a temporary reprieve while the administration's policies are scrutinized in court.

Netanyahu Invited to the White House

Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's invitation to the White House, marking Trump's first foreign leader invitation since his return to office.

• Diplomatic Context: Netanyahu's office confirmed the invitation, highlighting ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Hamas.

  • Estrin notes, “[01:36] Netanyahu's office says the Israeli leader is invited to meet Trump in the White House next week.”

• Political Pressures: Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right allies to resume military actions in Gaza and is concurrently facing legal challenges with his corruption trial, which may affect his ability to attend the meeting.

Stock Market and Federal Reserve Update

Scott Horsley provides an update on the stock market and the anticipated actions of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

• Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by approximately 30 points in early trading.

• Federal Reserve Expectations:

  • “[02:25] Powell and his Fed colleagues are widely expected to hold interest rates steady today as the central bank tries to wrestle inflation back down to its target of 2%. Prices are still climbing a little bit faster than that.”
  • The Fed is proceeding cautiously amid uncertainties regarding President Trump's economic policies and their impact on the cost of living.

• Trade Deficit Concerns: The national trade deficit reached a record high of over $122 billion in December, driven by a decrease in exports and a surge in imports, partly due to businesses anticipating potential Trump-imposed tariffs.

• International Markets: Stocks in Tokyo saw gains, while most other Asian markets remained closed in observance of the Lunar New Year.

Halting of Refugee Programs Strands Afghans

Quill Lawrence reports on the Trump administration's suspension of refugee programs, which has left thousands of Afghans who collaborated with the U.S. military stranded.

• Veterans' Advocacy:

  • Veterans groups are actively pushing for a policy change to honor the promises made to Afghan allies.
  • Tim Kennedy, a Green Beret, emphasizes the sacrifices of Afghan partners: “[03:43] The men that we were fighting alongside in Afghanistan, they would take extraordinary and exceptional risks and demonstrate countless acts of valor in the protection of us.”

• Government Response: On his first day as Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth stated, “[03:54] The US stands with its allies,” but provided no further details on the matter.

Deportation of Migrants to Colombia

Two Colombian military planes carrying migrants deported from the U.S. have arrived in Bogotá. This action comes after the White House announced it would lift visa restrictions and other measures once the Colombian government accepted the migrants.

• Diplomatic Tensions: Over the weekend, Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially rejected U.S. military flights for deported migrants, leading to a trade dispute between Petro and President Trump. Eventually, Petro agreed to accept the migrants, resolving the immediate diplomatic row.

Brittney Griner Joins Atlanta Dream

WNBA star Brittney Griner has signed with the Atlanta Dream, marking a significant move in her professional basketball career.

• Career Highlights: Griner, who spent 11 years with the Phoenix Mercury, announced her transfer via an Instagram video alongside her new teammates. She previously missed the entire 2022 season due to her 10-month detention in Russia, from which she was released in a prisoner swap.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical topics, from high-profile political appointments and international diplomacy to significant economic indicators and humanitarian issues. Notable quotes from key figures provided deeper insight into the ongoing stories, ensuring listeners stay informed on the latest developments shaping the national and international landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Hsu ([00:53]): “I think some workers who have been remote for years, since before the pandemic, they may have already been planning to resign. So maybe some of them will. But others I've spoken to this week are really determined to stay in their jobs. You know, they took these jobs because they believe in the mission. They believe in serving the country. They want to be enforcing the law.”

• Tim Kennedy ([03:43]): “The men that we were fighting alongside in Afghanistan, they would take extraordinary and exceptional risks and demonstrate countless acts of valor in the protection of us.”

• Pete Hegseth ([03:54]): “The US stands with its allies.”

This summary was compiled based on the transcript of the NPR News Now episode released on January 29, 2025.