NPR News: 01-31-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 31, 2025, 2PM EST

Hosted by NPR

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1. White House Implements New Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China

Timestamp: [00:13]

In a significant move impacting international trade, the White House announced the implementation of new tariffs set to take effect the following day. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated, "Tariffs will go into effect tomorrow against Canada, Mexico, and China," signaling a robust shift in U.S. trade policy.

Timestamp: [00:26]

The specifics of the tariffs include a 25% increase on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on goods from China. This decision aligns with President Trump's earlier threats of imposing higher tariffs, citing insufficient efforts by Mexico and Canada in curbing drug trafficking and illegal migration into the United States.

Timestamp: [00:36]

Economists warn that these higher tariffs are likely to lead to increased prices for American consumers, potentially straining the U.S. economy. Additionally, this move jeopardizes the very trade agreements that President Trump negotiated during his first term, raising concerns about the long-term stability of U.S. relations with these key trading partners.

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2. Investigation into Deadliest U.S. Air Crash in Almost 25 Years

Timestamp: [00:36]

Tragedy struck as the United States grapples with the deadliest air crash in nearly a quarter-century, resulting in 67 fatalities, with 26 bodies still unaccounted for. The crash involved a mid-air collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter over the Potomac River.

Timestamp: [01:16]

NPR’s Juliana Kim reported that recovery teams from the DC Fire Department have been diligently searching the icy waters of the Potomac River. On the second day of the investigation, crews continued their efforts to locate victims and gather wreckage. Notably, the recording devices from both the commercial plane and the helicopter have been recovered, providing crucial data for the ongoing investigation.

Timestamp: [01:16]

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has yet to determine a probable cause but aims to release a preliminary report within the next 30 days. Authorities remain focused on uncovering the factors that led to this devastating incident.

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3. Leadership Change at the U.S. Census Bureau

Timestamp: [01:52]

In administrative developments, Robert Santos, the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, announced his resignation midway through his five-year term. This departure opens the door for President Trump to appoint a successor, a move of potential political significance as the agency gears up for the 2030 Census.

The upcoming census is critical, as it will influence legislative districting and the allocation of federal funding for the next decade. The transition in leadership occurs at a crucial time, highlighting the intersection of politics and essential governmental functions.

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4. Economic Updates: Personal Spending and Inflation Trends

Timestamp: [02:22]

The U.S. economy shows mixed signals as personal spending increased by 0.7% in December, according to the Commerce Department. Despite the rise in spending on goods and services, personal income growth lagged, prompting many Americans to tap into savings or incur debt to maintain their spending levels.

Timestamp: [02:22]

Scott Horsley from NPR explains, "The already low personal savings rate fell further in December to 3.8%." Additionally, the inflation rate climbed to 2.6% year-over-year in December, slightly higher than the previous month. This rise in inflation is a key indicator watched closely by the Federal Reserve, potentially influencing future monetary policies.

Internationally, Asian markets showed mixed performance, with Tokyo's markets up while Seoul's dipped. Markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remained closed in observance of the Lunar New Year festivities.

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5. Hostage Exchange Between Hamas and Israel

Timestamp: [03:03]

In international relations, Hamas announced plans to release three additional hostages being held since their October 2023 attack on Israel. Among those to be released is Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American-Israeli man whose wife had been freed the previous year.

In response, Israel committed to releasing over 100 Palestinians detained within its borders, marking a significant, albeit complex, gesture towards de-escalation. This exchange underscores the ongoing tensions and fragile dynamics in the Middle East peace process.

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6. NASA Astronauts Conduct Historic Spacewalk

Timestamp: [03:44]

NASA celebrated a milestone as astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams embarked on their first joint spacewalk, spending five and a half hours outside the International Space Station, 260 miles above Earth.

Originally scheduled for a short-term mission lasting about a week, unforeseen issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft have extended their stay to an anticipated 10 months. The spacewalk focused on the removal of a stubborn broken antenna, a task that had previously stalled twice under Mission Control’s supervision.

Timestamp: [03:44]

Notably, Suni Williams set a new record during this mission, marking her ninth spacewalk and becoming the female astronaut with the most cumulative time spent on spacewalks. NASA has confirmed that both astronauts are expected to return to Earth by late March, landing aboard a SpaceX capsule.

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7. Five Years After Brexit: UK's Ongoing Challenges

Timestamp: [04:31]

Marking the fifth anniversary of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, the UK continues to navigate the economic, social, and cultural repercussions of Brexit.

Timestamp: [04:31]

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had voted to remain in the EU during the referendum, is now spearheading efforts to mend and improve relations with the European Union. The government faces the daunting task of addressing lingering uncertainties and fostering stability in a post-Brexit landscape, striving to balance national interests with international cooperation.

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NPR News Now strives to deliver the latest news updates every five minutes, providing listeners with timely and comprehensive coverage of current events.

Transcript

[Carvana]

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. The White House says tariffs will go into effect tomorrow against Canada, Mexico and China. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt made the announcement.

[Juliana Kim]

The president will be implementing tomorrow a 25% tariffs on Mexico, 25% tariffs on Canada, and a 10% tariff on China.

[Nora Ram]

Trump had threatened higher tariffs, saying Mexico and Canada have not done enough to stop drugs and migrants from entering the US without legal status. This could blow up the trade agreement that Trump himself had negotiated with them during his first term. Economists say the higher tariffs will result in higher prices for American consumers. Authorities in Washington, D.C. are back in the icy waters of the Potomac river today in search of more victims and clues behind the deadliest U.S. air crash in almost a quarter century. 67 lives were lost. As NPR's Juliana Kim reports, 26 of the bodies have yet to be found.

[Juliana Kim]

It's the second day in the investigation of a mid air collision between an American Airlines plane and an army helicopter. DC Fire said recovery teams surveyed all accessible areas at the crash site throughout the day. On Thursday, they returned at first light to continue the search and salvage what remains of the wreckage. So far, investigators have recovered the recording devices from the commercial plane and helicopter. The National Transportation Safety Board said it will not determine a probable cause at this time, but will provide a preliminary report within the next 30 days. Julianna Kim, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

The director of the U.S. census Bureau, Robert Santos, says he's stepping down halfway through his five year term. His departure clears the way for President Trump to name his own person to head the agency as it prepares for the 2030 census, which will determine legislative boundaries and the distribution of federal spending for the following decade. Stocks opened higher this morning as the Commerce Department reported a jump in personal spending last month. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

[Scott Horsley]

Personal spending jumped by seven tenths of a percent in December as Americans spent more on both goods and services. Personal income was also up during the month, but not as much. Many people dipped into to savings or borrowed money to finance their additional spending. The already low personal savings rate fell further in December to 3.8%. The Commerce Department's inflation yardstick, which is closely watched by the Federal Reserve, shows prices in December were up 2.6% from a year ago. That's a slightly larger annual increase than the previous month. Asian stocks were mixed overnight, up in Tokyo, but down in Seoul, markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai remain closed for the lunar New Year. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ram]

At last check on Wall street, the market was mixed. The dow is down 232 points. The S&P is up one point. This is NPR News. Hamas says it will release three more hostages tomorrow who've been held since Hamas attacked Israel in October of 2023. Among them is an American Israeli man, 65 year old Keith Siegel. His wife was released last year. In return, Israel says it will release more than 100 Palestinians detained in Israel. NASA's two stranded astronauts got a change of scenery, stepping out for the first time together 260 miles above the Earth. NPR's Amy Held reports.

[Amy Held]

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams time aboard the orbiting lab was supposed to last about a week this summer. They're still there for what's looking like a 10 month stay after their ride, the Boeing Starliner experienced leaks and other problems, so it's understandable they'd want to get out and stretch their legs. That's just what they did Thursday for five and a half hours on their first joint spacewalk. Williams works on the removal, successfully removing a stubborn broken antenna. Narrated by Mission Control has been attempted to be removed on two previous Williams already performed a spacewalk earlier this month, but this, her ninth overall, broke a record for the most time spent on a spacewalk for any female astronaut. NASA says she and Wilmore will return to Earth by late March at the earliest aboard a SpaceX capsule. Amy held, NPR News.

[Nora Ram]

It was five years ago today that the United Kingdom left the European Union after a vote in favor of Brexit, as it was known. The UK Is still dealing with the economic, social and cultural fallout. The current prime minister, Keir Starmer, had voted to stay in the EU and wants better relations with it now. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.

[Carvana]

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