NPR News Now: February 1, 2025, 4AM EST
Host: Dale Willman
Tragic Plane Crash in Philadelphia
At approximately [00:11], disaster struck a Philadelphia neighborhood when a medical transport plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying a child patient, her mother, and four crew members, impacted the ground just 30 seconds into the flight, resulting in a devastating fireball that ignited several nearby homes. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his condolences, stating, “[00:31] We know that there will be loss in this region, and we want to offer our thoughts and our serious prayers for those who are grieving at this moment.”
The aftermath of the crash remains uncertain as authorities have not yet confirmed any survivors. The incident has left the community in mourning, with ongoing efforts to assist those affected.
Military Helicopter Collision Near Washington, D.C.
Investigators have recovered the black box from the military helicopter involved in a mid-air collision last Wednesday near Washington, D.C. The crash resulted in the deaths of three helicopter crew members. Army officials have identified two of the deceased: Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves and Staff Sergeant Ryan O'Hara. NPR's Quill Lawrence reported at [01:09] that the family of the third soldier has requested anonymity, leading the Army to withhold her name.
In response to the tragedy, President Donald Trump speculated that diversity hiring practices might have contributed to the accident. This comment was sharply criticized by Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat-wounded former helicopter pilot. At [01:30], Duckworth condemned Trump’s remarks: “When he made those comments. Those soldiers were still strapped in their duty positions submerged in the Potomac for him to question whether or not each one of those soldiers had earned their place in that cockpit.” She emphasized that the investigation into the crash was ongoing, with officials working diligently to determine the cause.
Trump Administration Orders Purge of Health Information
The Trump administration has mandated the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to remove a wide range of information and data from its websites. This directive includes topics spanning from adolescent health to HIV, as reported by NPR's Will Stone at [01:52]. Notably, web pages related to LGBTQ health have been taken down from agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the HHS Office for Civil Rights, and the National Institutes of Health.
These actions are part of a broader initiative under an executive order targeting gender-related issues. However, the deletions have extended beyond gender topics, including the removal of an interactive CDC tool that provided surveillance data on HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs, and tuberculosis. The Infectious Diseases Society of America has criticized these removals, warning that they "create a dangerous information gap and could hamper the response to disease outbreaks.” As of [02:06], the CDC has not responded to requests for comment.
New U.S. Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China
Effective later today, the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, with China facing a 10% tariff as well. President Donald Trump announced that these tariffs aim to foster greater cooperation from these countries in curbing illegal immigration and the smuggling of chemicals used in fentanyl production. Both Canada and Mexico have indicated they may retaliate with their own tariffs, heightening tensions in international trade relations. Dale Willman provided these updates at [02:46].
AI Industry Shake-Up: Deepseek Challenges Silicon Valley
The tech sector experienced significant turbulence this week as a Chinese startup, Deepseek, introduced a chatbot that has rapidly become the most downloaded free app in the U.S. Apple Store, surpassing the widely recognized ChatGPT. NPR's Maria Aspen reported at [03:29] that this development has caused the Nasdaq to drop over 325 points from the previous week.
Deepseek's success is notable not only for its immediate popularity but also because the company claims to have developed its chatbot with substantially less financial investment and computing power compared to established AI models. This has led investors to question whether major tech companies might be overspending on AI development. The emergence of Deepseek poses a significant challenge to Silicon Valley's dominance in the AI landscape.
Lawsuit Filed Against FOX Sports for Alleged Sexual Assault
Julie Stewart Banks, a former FOX Sports reporter and anchor, has initiated a lawsuit against the network and its Executive Vice President for Content, Charlie Dixon. Banks alleges that Dixon sexually assaulted her after luring her to his hotel room in 2016 to discuss Super Bowl coverage plans. She further claims that FOX retaliated by pushing her out of her position for contesting the assault. Dale Willman reported these accusations at [04:11]. In response, a FOX spokesperson stated that the network “properly dealt with” the allegations.
Honoring Victims of the Plane and Helicopter Crashes
In a solemn announcement, it was revealed that the ice skaters, coaches, and family members who perished in the plane crash last Wednesday will be honored during the World Championships in Boston scheduled for March. The tragic collision involved a plane returning from a training camp in Kansas and a helicopter in Washington, D.C. The decision to honor the victims was made public on Friday, as Dale Willman concluded his report at [04:11].
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