NPR News: 02-04-2025 11AM EST

Summary

Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary

In a significant development, the Senate Finance Committee has voted to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for the position of Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This nomination has stirred controversy, primarily due to Kennedy's positions on critical issues such as vaccines and Medicaid. During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers regarding his stance on vaccines and Medicaid, as well as potential conflicts of interest related to pending litigation against vaccine manufacturers he would oversee as secretary.

Kennedy’s nomination has now been forwarded to the full Senate for consideration. As Windsor Johnston reported at [00:30], navigating these contentious topics will be pivotal in determining the Senate’s eventual approval of his appointment.

U.S.-Israel Relations: Netanyahu Meets President Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, marking a critical diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The discussions are expected to focus on the next phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. According to NPR's Deepa Shivaram at [01:04], this meeting coincides with Trump’s intention to sign a new executive order aimed at withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations Human Rights Council and reducing funding to the United Nations Relief Works Agency that aids Palestinians.

A White House official revealed that this move follows a trend, noting that the Biden administration had previously paused aid to Palestinians through the same UN agency. This executive action represents the second instance in which Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council, an organization that leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the U.S. have criticized for being biased against Israel.

Trump Administration Moves on Education Department Funding

President Trump is reportedly preparing to implement substantial cuts to the U.S. Department of Education through executive action. NPR's Cory Turner reports at [01:51] that sources within the administration have indicated an eagerness to streamline the department by eliminating programs and staff that were not established by Congress, thereby avoiding legal protections. Turner elaborates, “The administration plans to target programs that are the easiest to cut, essentially the low-hanging fruit, to swiftly reduce the department’s budget.”

Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Funding Freeze

In a legal setback for the Trump administration, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against efforts to freeze funding for various federal grants and programs. NPR's Elena Moore details at [02:36] that Judge Lauren Ali Khan has barred the implementation of a funding memorandum issued—and then rescinded—by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The judge also instructed the OMB to submit a status report on compliance by the upcoming Friday.

Despite this judicial intervention, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt remains defiant. As reported by Moore, Levitt emphasized that the administration’s work would not be deterred by the court's order, underscoring the ongoing tension between the executive branch and the judiciary.

Financial Markets and State Farm’s Rate Hikes

Turning to the economy, Wall Street saw a positive uptick with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 43 points. Concurrently, State Farm is seeking an emergency rate hike in California in response to the severe wildfires in Los Angeles County. The insurance giant has already disbursed over $1 billion in claims related to the disasters. As Windsor Johnston reports at [03:09], State Farm is requesting a more than 20% increase in the average homeowner's policy starting in May, citing the unprecedented scale of the wildfire damages.

Salman Rushdie Attacker’s Trial Begins

The legal proceedings against Hadi Matar, the man accused of assaulting renowned American novelist Salman Rushdie in 2022, commenced today with jury selection. At [03:50], NPR’s Jiles Snyder provides an overview of the case, highlighting that Matar faces charges of attempted murder and assault. The attack occurred as Rushdie was preparing to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, leaving the author with permanent injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye and damage to a hand.

Prosecutors have indicated that Rushdie will testify alongside more than a dozen witnesses. Matar has entered a not guilty plea to the state charges and also faces separate federal terrorism charges linked to an edict issued by Iran concerning Rushdie's life—a threat that dates back to the publication of Rushdie's controversial novel, "The Satanic Verses," in 1988. Rushdie has been living under protection since the publication to ensure his safety.

Historic Stradivari Violin to Be Auctioned

In the world of music and fine art, a remarkably historic violin is set to become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold when it goes under the hammer this week at Sotheby's in New York. Crafted in 1714 by the illustrious Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, the violin boasts unparalleled craftsmanship and sound quality.

The instrument was generously donated to the New England Conservatory in Boston by the estate of its previous owner. According to Windsor Johnston at [04:31], this auction is anticipated to attract significant attention from collectors and musicians alike, given the violin's esteemed provenance and Stradivari’s legendary status in the world of stringed instruments.

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This summary was compiled based on the February 4, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing an overview of the day's most pressing news stories.

Transcript

[Windsor Johnston]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The Senate Finance Committee has voted to advance the controversial nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. To be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. During his confirmation hearings, lawmakers question Kennedy extensively about his stance on vaccines, Medicaid, and whether he would indirectly benefit from pending litigation against a vaccine maker that he would regulate as secretary. His nomination now goes to the full Senate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold talks with President Trump at the White House today. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports. The two leaders are expected to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Netanyahu will be in town as Trump signs a new executive order that will pull the US out of the United Nations Human Rights Council and cut funding to the United Nations Relief Works Agency that provides aid to Palestinians. That's according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the announcement. The Biden administration had also paused aid to Palestinians coming from that UN Agency. This is the second time Trump has pulled the US out of the UN Human Rights Council, an organization that Democratic and Republican US Leaders have said is biased against Israel. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Sources tell NPR that President Trump is preparing to take executive action to make major cuts at the U.S. department of Education. NPR's Cory Turner reports.

[Cory Turner]

Multiple sources have told me folks who are not allowed to speak publicly, the Trump administration is eager to close the department. And so in the near term, it plans to use this executive action to try to move quickly to cut programs and staff that were not created by Congress so they're not protected by law. The idea being these will be the programs that are the easiest to cut, essentially low hanging fruit.

[Windsor Johnston]

That's NPR's Cory Turner reporting. A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against a Trump administration effort to freeze funding for federal grants and other programs. NPR's Elena Moore reports. The court put a temporary stay on a funding memo issued and then rescinded by the Office of Management and Budget last week.

[Elena Moore]

The order from federal Judge Lauren Ali Khan says that the administration is blocked from implementing the memo or, quote, reinstating under a different name. It also directs the omb, which is part of the executive branch, to provide the court with a status report on its compliance by Friday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest federal court order. But after rescinding the OMB memo last week, White House press Secretary Caroline Levitt stressed that it would not deter the administration from doing its work. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

On Wall street, the dow was up 43 points. This is NPR. State Farm is seeking an emergency rate hike in California in the wake of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. The insurance company says it has so far paid out more than a billion dollars on thousands of claims. State Farm has asked to raise the average homeowner's policy by more than 20% starting in May. Jury selection begins today in the trial of the New Jersey man accused of violently attacking American novelist Salman Rushdie in 2022. NPR's Jiles Snyder reports.

[Jiles Snyder]

27 year old Hadi Matar is facing charges of attempted murder and assault in the attack as Rushdie was preparing to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in southwestern New York. The attack was caught on video. Rushdie, who is now 77, was stabbed multiple times. He lost sight of one eye and a hand is permanent damaged. Prosecutors say Rushdie will be among more than a dozen witnesses who will testify. Bhattar has pleaded not guilty to the state charges. He faces separate federal terrorism charges linked to the edict issued by Iran on Rushdie's Life. Following the 1988 publication of his novel the Satanic Verses, Rushdie spent years in hiding. Jael Snyder, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

A violin will become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold when it goes up for auction this week at Sotheby's in New York. The instrument was made in 1714 by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari. It was gifted to the New England Conservatory in Boston by the estate of its last owner. This is npr.

[Cory Turner]

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.