NPR News Now: January 30, 2025, 12 PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

1. Tragic Midair Collision at Reagan National Airport

At the heart of today's broadcast is the devastating midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport. This catastrophe has resulted in the presumed loss of all 64 individuals aboard the commercial flight and all three soldiers on the helicopter.

Key Details:

• search and rescue efforts are ongoing in the Potomac River, with 28 bodies retrieved so far. The passenger jet's fuselage has been discovered in three distinct sections.

• President Trump's Response:
  At [00:44], President Trump addressed the nation, stating, "The work has now shifted to a recovery mission. Sadly, there are no survivors. This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital and in our nation's history and a tragedy of terrible proportions. As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly."
  He led a moment of silence before making this heartfelt address.

• Pentagon's Statement:
  Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth provided insights into the incident at [01:17], explaining, "Investigations continue into whether the airliner or the US Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying the right path and at the right altitude." He also mentioned that the helicopter crew was "fairly experienced and on a routine flight using night vision goggles."

• Local Reactions:
  Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu expressed sorrow at [01:31], saying, "It's a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner. And, of course, the three soldiers in that Black Hawk, they're in our prayers."
  Furthermore, she announced plans for a community prayer for the victims and their families, highlighting the community's efforts to cope with the loss.

• Pentagon's Additional Details:
  At [01:43], Hegseth added that the Black Hawk was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Operations have been paused for 48 hours pending a thorough review of the incident.

• Ongoing Investigations:
  Authorities are hopeful that the flight recorders from both aircraft will provide clarity on the factors leading to this unprecedented disaster. The collision marks the deadliest aviation incident in the United States in over two decades.

2. France Enhances Support for Child Abuse Reporting

In a significant move to combat sexual violence and abuse among minors, France is expanding its network of special mailboxes designed for children to report such incidents confidentially.

Highlights:

• Program Expansion:
  The first mailbox was installed at a primary school in Paris, with over 300 additional mailboxes now operational nationwide. This initiative is part of a broader effort to encourage minors to speak out against abuse.

• Organization Behind the Initiative:
  Supported by Butterflies, a child protection association, the program has already seen substantial engagement. According to the Associated Press, "last year more than 30,000 children used the mailboxes to report various forms of abuse."

3. European Central Bank (ECB) Responds to Economic Stagnation

Amidst a stagnant economy, the European Central Bank has taken decisive action by cutting its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point.

Details:

• Rate Adjustment:
  The ECB's recent decision aims to stimulate economic growth by making borrowing cheaper, thereby encouraging investment and spending.

• Comparison with U.S. Policy:
  This move comes just a day after the U.S. Federal Reserve opted to maintain its current interest rates, highlighting differing economic strategies between major economies.

• ECB Leadership Statement:
  Christine Lagarde, head of the ECB, stated, "The disinflation process is well on track in Europe. These cuts will support growth." Her remarks underscore the ECB's commitment to fostering economic recovery and stability within the region.

4. Inside America's Top-Secret Nuclear Weapons Laboratory

NPR's Jeff Brumfield provides an exclusive look into one of the world's most clandestine nuclear weapons laboratories, located in a remote desert region in Nevada, approximately 90 miles from Las Vegas.

Insights from the Report:

• Facility Overview:
  The laboratory is situated nearly 1,000 feet underground, comprising a network of tunnels where American scientists conduct critical experiments related to nuclear weapons.

• Purpose of the Laboratory:
  David Funk, a scientist at the facility, explains, "Yeah, this was designed to be a nuclear test location originally and now we do only subcritical experiments in this location. Some critical experiments test the plutonium and nuclear bombs without setting them off."
  These experiments are crucial for maintaining the efficacy and safety of the United States' nuclear arsenal without conducting actual detonations.

• Potential Policy Shifts:
  The report delves into concerns that the current era of subcritical testing could be short-lived under the Trump administration. With China and Russia potentially ramping up their weapon testing, there are whispers within the administration advocating for the U.S. to resume full-scale nuclear tests to stay competitive.

5. U.S. Stock Market Gains Momentum

In a positive development for investors, U.S. stocks are trading higher in the current session.

Market Overview:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average:
  Increased by 153 points, reaching 44,866.

• S&P 500:
  Rose by 19 points, signaling broad-based gains.

• Nasdaq:
  Experienced a slight uptick, contributing to the overall positive market sentiment.

Notable Quotes

• President Trump at [00:44]:
  "The work has now shifted to a recovery mission. Sadly, there are no survivors. This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital and in our nation's history and a tragedy of terrible proportions. As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly."

• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at [01:17]:
  "Investigations continue into whether the airliner or the US Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying the right path and at the right altitude."

• Wichita Mayor Lilly Wu at [01:31]:
  "It's a tragedy, a horrible loss of life for those 64 souls on that civilian airliner. And, of course, the three soldiers in that Black Hawk, they're in our prayers."

• Christine Lagarde on ECB's Decision:
  "The disinflation process is well on track in Europe. These cuts will support growth."

Concluding Remarks

Today's episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical issues, from the heartbreaking aviation disaster in Washington D.C. to significant policy shifts in Europe and exclusive insights into the nation's nuclear capabilities. The updates provided offer listeners a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international matters, ensuring they remain informed on the latest developments shaping our world.

This summary is based on the NPR News Now episode released on January 30, 2025.