NPR News Now: January 30, 2025, 10 AM EST

NPR News Now brings you the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of today's most pressing events. This summary encapsulates the key stories discussed in the January 30, 2025, episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who missed the broadcast.

1. Tragic Collision Near Reagan National Airport

Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with heartbreaking news of a fatal collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter during a training mission near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The accident occurred as the passenger jet was approaching to land, resulting in both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River.

Key Details:

• Aircraft Involved: American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
• Location: Potomac River, near Reagan National Airport.
• Casualties: 64 people aboard the passenger jet and 3 soldiers on the helicopter. As of the report, 28 bodies have been recovered.

Notable Quote:

• Senator Mark Warner of Virginia reflects on the disaster:
  "[01:13]... I'd never seen this many red lights streaming towards the airport and across the river in Maryland. About this time, my phone started blowing up and I realized that this accident had taken place."

Additional Information:

• Passenger Demographics: The passenger jet was en route from Wichita, Kansas, to D.C., carrying members of the U.S. figure skating community attending a skating camp.
• Search and Recovery Efforts: Led by crews from D.C. Fire and EMS, the Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, and other agencies, the investigation revealed that the plane broke into three sections upon impact.

2. Trump Administration's Cabinet Nominees Await Senate Confirmation

Jeanine Herbst reports on the ongoing Senate confirmation hearings for three of President Trump's key Cabinet nominees on Capitol Hill.

Nominees Highlighted:

• Cash Patel: Nominated to head the FBI. Patel has previously criticized the FBI, stating on a podcast, "if I was in charge, I would close the FBI headquarters and turn it into a museum to the deep."

Notable Quote:

• Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Grassley addresses Patel during the hearing:
  "[01:52] Mr. Patel, I know you know this, but it's your job to restore the public trust and return the FBI to its core mission of fighting crime."

Other Nominees:

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: Nominated for the Department of Health and Human Services, returning for a second day of hearings.
• Tulsi Gabbard: Nominated as Director of National Intelligence, also appearing on the Hill today.

3. Economic Update: Slowing Growth and Federal Reserve's Stance

Jeanine Herbst transitions to economic news, highlighting that U.S. stocks opened higher amid reports of a slowdown in economic growth for the final quarter of the year.

Economic Highlights:

• Growth Rate: The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 2.3% in October, November, and December, marking a modest slowdown from the previous quarter.
• Driving Factors: Robust consumer spending on goods and services offset declines in business investment.
• Global Comparison: Economic growth in Europe remains weak, prompting the European Central Bank to lower its benchmark interest rate to stimulate activity.

Federal Reserve Actions:

• The Federal Reserve is maintaining current interest rates.
• Fed Chairman Jerome Powell stated:
  "[02:34]... the central bank is in no hurry to cut interest rates further until it sees more progress on inflation or signs of weakness in the job market."

Reporter:
Scott Horsley provides analysis on the economic conditions and the Fed's monetary policy decisions.

4. China’s Advancements in Artificial Intelligence

Jeanine Herbst introduces a segment on significant developments in China's artificial intelligence sector, marking notable progress by Chinese tech companies in competing with global leaders like OpenAI.

Key Developments:

• Deekseek Deepseek: A Chinese startup surprised the tech industry by unveiling an affordable AI model developed with fewer and lower-performance microchips compared to competitors such as OpenAI.
• Alibaba's Response: Following Deepseek's announcement, Alibaba announced an upgrade to its AI model, claiming superior performance over leading AIs, including OpenAI's ChatGPT 4 and Meta's Mlama.

Industry Impact:

• Market Reaction: Deepseek's announcement triggered a stock market meltdown due to investor concerns over competitive pressures.
• Alibaba's Assurance: Alibaba's cloud computing division asserts that its new AI model "comprehensively outperformed DeepSeq's V3 large language model and the others," though NPR has yet to verify these claims.

Reporter:
John Ruich reports on the unfolding dynamics within the Chinese AI industry and its implications for global technology markets.

5. Mount Taranaki Recognized as a Legal Person in New Zealand

In a groundbreaking decision, Jeanine Herbst covers the legal recognition of a natural landmark as a person with rights and responsibilities.

Mount Taranaki (Taranaki Manga):

• Legal Status: Recognized as a legal person, granting it rights akin to those of humans.
• Cultural Significance: Considered an ancestor by the Maori indigenous people, the recognition addresses historical grievances over the mountain's displacement following New Zealand's colonization.
• Geographical Notes: Taranaki Manga is the second-highest dormant volcano on New Zealand's North Island and a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and snow sports enthusiasts.

Implications:

• This landmark legal status sets a precedent for environmental and indigenous rights, emphasizing the importance of natural landmarks in cultural heritage and legal frameworks.

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