NPR News: 02-01-2025 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 1, 2025, 9 AM EST

Hosted by NPR

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U.S. Political Turmoil: Democrats Warn of FBI Purge

In a significant development from Washington, Democratic leaders are raising alarms over a possible purge of FBI agents and prosecutors involved in high-profile cases against former President Donald Trump and the January 6th Capitol riot participants. Giles Snyder reports that Congressional Democrats believe these actions threaten national security and the integrity of the rule of law.

• Carrie Johnson highlights the severity of the situation: “Senator Richard Durbin... described the personnel moves as a brazen assault on the rule of law” (00:36).

• The interim U.S. attorney in Washington, previously known for promoting unfounded election fraud theories, has already dismissed over two dozen prosecutors associated with Capitol riot cases. These individuals were on probationary status, limiting their civil service protections.

• Further complicating matters, senior Justice Department officials have terminated several lawyers collaborating with Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is building cases against Trump. The administration is reportedly preparing a comprehensive list of FBI personnel involved in January 6th investigations, which could result in additional dismissals next week (00:36).

International Trade Tensions: Canada Stands Firm Against U.S. Tariffs

Mark Carney, a leading candidate to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada’s Prime Minister, has asserted that Canada will not yield to what he terms as bullying tactics from the United States. This statement comes in response to President Trump’s announcement to impose tariffs on Canadian goods.

• Mark Carney stated: “We will target our tariffs against those goods and services that will most affect the United States and least affect Canada. But to be clear, this will have an impact on the Canadian economy, and that impact will be felt more quickly and to a greater extent than the U.S.” (01:34)

• He further emphasized Canadian resilience: “Canadians are in no mood, no mood to make any concessions here.” (01:34)

Canada, along with Mexico and China, is bracing for the implementation of these tariffs. Imported goods from Canada and Mexico may face a 25% tax, while those from China could incur a 10% charge (01:55).

Tragic Plane Crash in Philadelphia

A medical transport plane carrying six Mexican nationals tragically crashed in a densely populated area of northeast Philadelphia last night, leading to an explosive fire that consumed several homes and vehicles.

• Kenny Cooper reports: “Videos posted to social media showed the small jet plummeting from the sky and exploding in a heavily populated area” (02:23).

• Vadim Osipov, a witness from the area, recounted his harrowing experience: “I thought, like what? I thought it was the end of the world, like the sky light up so, so big.” (02:46)

• Philadelphia Mayor Sherrelle Parker confirmed the devastating impact on the neighborhood, indicating substantial damage to homes and vehicles (02:54).

This incident follows a recent tragedy in Washington, D.C., where a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial jetliner, resulting in 67 fatalities (03:04).

Middle East Ceasefire and Global Health Milestones

In the Middle East, Israel has released over 180 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages, marking a significant step toward sustaining the ceasefire in Gaza. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are anticipated to commence next week.

Concurrent with these geopolitical developments, the World Health Organization has certified the eradication of two significant diseases:

• Niger has eliminated river blindness, a parasitic infection spread by black flies. This milestone was achieved through the combined efforts of insecticides and medications. Daniel Adje Buache from the End Fund emphasized, “The elimination won't just help those who avoid blindness.” (03:59)

• Guinea has successfully stamped out sleeping sickness, marking the country's first official elimination of the disease. This parasitic illness, in its advanced stages, can lead to severe neurological issues. Vadim Osipov underscored the importance: “Children who were going to lead blind people now have the time to go to school.” (04:10)

Labor Relations: Costco Strike Averted

A potential strike at Costco was narrowly avoided after the Teamsters union reached a tentative agreement with the company early this morning. The union, representing 18,000 Costco employees across six states, will now present the new contract to its members for a vote.

• Giles Snyder reports: “A Teamsters union said early this morning that it has reached a tentative agreement for a new contract and will put it up to a membership vote.” (04:32)

This resolution comes hours before a midnight deadline, preventing significant disruptions in Costco's operations and ensuring continued employment stability for its workers (04:32).

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This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on February 1, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through NPR’s platforms.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Congressional Democrats are warning a purge of FBI agents and prosecutors who worked on cases involving President Trump and the Capitol riot will make the Nation less safe. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports. Dozens of prosecutors prosecutors have already been fired, and more dismissals could come soon.

[Carrie Johnson]

Senator Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, said the personnel moves are a brazen assault on the rule of law. The interim U.S. attorney in Washington who once advocated bogus theories about election fraud fired more than two dozen prosecutors who worked on Capitol riot cases. Those lawyers had been on probationary status, so they lack full civil service protection. Senior Justice Department officials had already dismissed a bunch of other lawyers who work with Special Counsel Jack Smith to build cases against Trump. Now comes word the administration's making a sweeping list of FBI personnel who worked on January 6th cases. That list is due next week, and it could lead to more firings. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Giles Snyder]

A frontrunner to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's prime minister says Canada is going to stand up to a bully. Mark Carney spoke to the BBC after President President Trump confirmed that he will move forward with his threat to impose tariffs on Canada.

[Mark Carney]

We will target our tariffs against those goods and services that will most affect the United States and least affect Canada. But to be clear, this will have an impact on the Canadian economy, and that impact will be felt more quickly and to a greater extent than the U.S. but Canadians are in no mood, no mood to make any concessions here.

[Giles Snyder]

Canada and also Mexico and China are preparing for tariffs to be imposed today. Imported goods from Canada and Mexico are expected to be hit with a 25% tax, while China's will face a 10% charge. A medical transport plane carrying six Mexican nationals crashed in Philadelphia last night, unleashing an explosion and engulfing several homes and cars in flames. From member station whyy, Kenny Cooper reports on the fiery aftermath of the crash.

[Kenny Cooper]

Videos posted to social media showed the small jet plummeting from the sky and exploding in a heavily populated area in northeast Philadelphia. Emergency personnel rush to the scene to battle the ensuing fire. Vadim Osipov is originally from Ukraine but currently lives in the Philly area. He saw the mushroom explosion himself.

[Vadim Osipov]

I thought, like what? I thought it was the end of the world, like the sky light up so, so big.

[Kenny Cooper]

Philadelphia Mayor Sherrelle Parker says the plane crashed into a neighborhood, impacting several homes and vehicles. For NPR News, I'm Kenny Cooper in Philadelphia.

[Giles Snyder]

The Philadelphia crash came two days after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial jetliner in Washington, D.C. killing 67 people. This is NPR. Israel has released more than 180 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages. The latest swap is part of the ceasefire agreement that has brought a pause in the fighting in Gaza. Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire are expected to begin next week. This the World Health Organization certified the elimination of two diseases. Niger has successfully gotten rid of river blindness and in guinea, sleeping sickness. NPR's Gabrielle Emanuel has more.

[Gabrielle Emanuel]

Niger is the first country in Africa to successfully do away with river blindness, a parasitic infection transmitted by black flies. The disease was eliminated through a combination of insecticides and medications.

[Vadim Osipov]

It's very significant and very important.

[Gabrielle Emanuel]

Daniel Adje Buache is with the End Fund, nonprofit that has worked on the initiative. He says the elimination won't just help those who avoid blindness.

[Vadim Osipov]

Children who were going to lead blind people not have the time to go to school.

[Gabrielle Emanuel]

And in guinea, sleeping sickness has been stamped out, the country's first official disease elimination. This is also a parasitic disease and in advanced stages can cause neurological problems. Gabriela Emmanuel, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

The strike has been averted at Costco, hours after a midnight deadline passed. A Teamsters union said early this morning that it has reached a tentative agreement for a new contract and will put it up to a membership vote. The Teamsters represent 18,000 Costco employees in six states. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

[Kenny Cooper]

This message is brought to you by NPR sponsor Shopify. It's 2025, a new year with new opportunities. The best time to start your new business is right now. Go to shopify.com NPR allovercase to sign up for a $1 per month trial period today.