NPR News Now: February 2, 2025, 9AM EST
Host: Giles Snyder
Source: NPR
Release Date: February 2, 2025
1. President Trump's New Tariffs Spark Mixed Reactions
At the outset of the episode, Giles Snyder reports on President Trump's recent decision to impose significant tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. The move has elicited immediate international backlash, with Canada and Mexico announcing retaliatory tariffs. Additionally, China has indicated its intent to challenge the tariffs by filing a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Scott Horsley provides further insight into the domestic response, highlighting a divided U.S. perspective:
"House passed along a lot of supportive statements from Republican allies like Tommy Tuberville and Marsha Blackburn, but business groups are less enthusiastic."
(00:39)
Business organizations, notably the Chamber of Commerce, have voiced opposition:
"Tariffs are not the answer," the Chamber of Commerce stated.
(00:39)
Democrats are also raising concerns, warning that these import taxes could lead to higher prices for working families. An op-ed in the Wall Street Journal features a rare bipartisan agreement from former GOP Senator Phil Graham and former Democratic Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, both of whom argue that tariffs are detrimental to the economy.
President Trump defends the tariffs as a strategy to compel the targeted countries to address illegal drug flows and immigration into the United States.
2. Elon Musk’s X Sues Major Corporations Over Ad Boycotts
Elon Musk's social media platform, X, is embroiled in legal battles as it files a lawsuit against Lego, Tyson Foods, and Shell Brands International. Bobby Allen reports that X alleges these corporations conspired against the platform by participating in a 2022 advertising boycott.
In the lawsuit, X's legal team claims:
"Companies took part in a brand safety protest that deprived the platform of billions of dollars in ad revenue."
(01:32)
Initially targeting the World Federation of Advertisers, CBS, and Twitch, the lawsuit has since expanded to include half a dozen additional entities. Musk, who serves as a top advisor in the Trump administration, contends that many large advertisers have yet to return to X.
This legal action coincides with other significant corporate disputes, including Meta and ABC settling lawsuits filed by Trump prior to his presidency. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticizes Meta's $25 million settlement to Trump as seemingly bribery:
"Meta's $25 million settlement to Trump looks like a bribe."
(01:32)
The Trump administration has not yet responded to NPR's inquiries on the matter.
3. Deadly Market Attack in Sudan's Oderban
Turning to international news, Kate Bartlett reports from Johannesburg about a tragic attack in Sudan's Oderban city:
"The Ministry of Health said 54 people were killed and 158 wounded in the attack on the open market in the city that lies on the River Nile."
(02:22)
The assault, which involved shelling, primarily claimed the lives of women and children. Doctors Without Borders described the scene as "utter carnage," with local hospitals overwhelmed by victims and morgues filled with the deceased. The Sudanese government has attributed the attack to the rebel militia, the Rapid Support Forces, though the group has denied involvement. This incident is part of an ongoing conflict that erupted in 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities.
4. First Airstrikes of Trump's Second Term Target ISIS in Somalia
In a significant military development, President Trump has authorized the first airstrikes of his second term, targeting ISIS militants in Somalia. Defense Secretary Pete Hekma confirmed that the operations were coordinated with Somalia's government and that the Pentagon's initial assessment indicates that several ISIS operatives were killed:
"The strikes were coordinated with Somalia's government, and our initial assessment is that several ISIS operatives were killed."
(02:55)
This move marks a renewed focus on combating ISIS forces in the Horn of Africa, reflecting ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.
5. Fatal Air Ambulance Crash in Philadelphia
A tragic accident in Philadelphia has resulted in the death of seven individuals. Giles Snyder details the incident:
"Authorities in Philadelphia have confirmed the death of a seventh person in Friday night's fiery crash of an air ambulance in a crowded neighborhood."
(02:55)
The crash occurred in a busy area, killing six people inside the plane, who were en route to Mexico, and one person in a car. Investigators anticipate that recovering and analyzing the debris may take several weeks.
6. Indiana Faces Legal Challenges Over Execution Drug Purchases
Indiana is under legal scrutiny as journalists file a lawsuit concerning the state's procurement of pentobarbital for lethal injections. George Hale reports:
"Last year, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Indiana Capital Chronicle, a nonprofit newsroom based in Indianapolis."
(03:48)
The Capital Chronicle alleges that the Indiana corrections department has not disclosed the expenditure details for the drug. Although a 2017 state law protects the identities of execution drug suppliers, the newsroom is not seeking the suppliers' names but rather the costs incurred:
"We never asked for who provided it. We just asked for the cost of it."
(04:13)
In December, Indiana resumed using pentobarbital for the first time in 15 years and is planning another execution within the year.
7. Grammy Awards Highlight Amidst LA Wildfire Recovery
The episode concludes with a look at the upcoming Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where Beyoncé leads the nominations with 11, bringing her career total to 99 nominations—the highest in Grammy history.
However, the festivities are overshadowed by ongoing recovery efforts from recent wildfires:
"The Grammys are being held as crews clean up from those wildfires that devastated whole neighborhoods in LA."
(04:31)
Officials confirmed that the two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, are now fully contained, allowing Grammy preparations to proceed amidst the city's efforts to rebuild.
Reporter Credits:
- Giles Snyder: Washington and Philadelphia
- Scott Horsley: Economic and Political Analysis
- Bobby Allen: Tech and Legal Developments
- Kate Bartlett: International Conflicts
- George Hale: Legal Journalism in Indiana
Produced by: NPR News
This summary provides an overview of the key news stories discussed in the February 2, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For detailed coverage, please refer to the full podcast episode.