NPR News: 02-10-2025 11AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 10, 2025, 11 AM EST

Hosted by Korva Coleman

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1. Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Executive Action on Birthright Citizenship

Korva Coleman opens the episode with breaking news about a significant legal setback for President Trump's immigration policies. A third federal judge has halted the administration's attempt to repeal birthright citizenship for certain Americans, a move aimed at deterring migration.

Jimena Bustillo reports:

"The judge heard arguments over the Trump administration's effort to reinterpret the 14th Amendment to limit which U.S.-born children receive automatic citizenship. (00:28)"

The judge expressed concerns about the potential consequences for children of migrants without permanent status, especially those born while the courts deliberate on the legality of the action. US Government lawyers maintain that the Supreme Court may ultimately restore citizenship if it rules against the administration. However, representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union argue that families would endure "irreparable harm" while trapped in legal uncertainty.

Jimena Bustillo concludes:

"The judge ultimately said he was not persuaded by the government's position. (00:28)"

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2. Senate to Vote on Tulsi Gabbard's Confirmation as Director of National Intelligence

Korva Coleman transitions to political news, highlighting the Senate's anticipated vote on Tulsi Gabbard for the position of Director of National Intelligence. This nomination has stirred significant debate and opposition.

Kristin Wright elaborates:

"Gabbard is one of President Trump's most divisive cabinet nominees. (01:06)"

Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman, faces intense scrutiny over her foreign policy stances, including her defense of Edward Snowden and her 2017 visit to Bashar al-Assad in Syria. These actions have raised alarms even among Republicans. Despite these controversies, Gabbard secured crucial Republican support in the Intelligence Committee, allowing her nomination to advance to the Senate floor.

Kristin Wright notes:

"She narrowly survived an Intelligence Committee vote, winning key Republican support to advance to the Senate floor today. (01:19)"

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3. Trump's Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Spark International Retaliation

The episode delves into the economic repercussions of President Trump's recent announcement of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. This decision has provoked a range of responses from the international community.

Korva Coleman sets the stage:

"To retaliate or not to retaliate, that is the question many countries are mulling today. (01:47)"

Lauren Frayer reports from London:

"The British steel industry is already in decline, and a 25% tariff on exports to the US would be a, quote, devastating blow. (02:05)"

The UK Steel industry group urges the UK Government to take decisive action in response. While British officials have plans for retaliatory tariffs, they are currently weighing the possibility of securing an exemption from Trump. Notably, 10% of British Steel exports go to the US, making it the industry's second-largest market after the European Union.

Additionally, China has imposed tariffs ranging from 10 to 15% on U.S. products, including agricultural goods and crude oil. This move exacerbates trade tensions, influencing market dynamics as the Dow Jones Industrials sees an uptick of nearly 120 points.

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4. Extreme Weather Warning and Notable Obituaries

NPR Weather issues extreme cold warnings for the Northern Plains, with wind chills potentially reaching 50 degrees below zero in areas like Montana, North Dakota, and northwestern Minnesota.

In cultural news, Tom Vitale announces the passing of acclaimed novelist Tom Robbins at the age of 92. Known for masterpieces such as Jitterbug Perfume and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Robbins' vibrant language and imaginative storytelling left a lasting legacy.

Robbins shared his perspective with NPR in 2014:

"I wouldn't have missed, say, the 60s for a billion dollars, but neither I nor my life's work can be defined by counterculture sensibilities. (03:57)"

Vitale reflects on Robbins' impact:

"What could define the work of Tom Robbins, he said, was the way he used language brilliantly, playfully and precisely in bestselling novels. (04:07)"

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5. Concert Cancellation in Perth Due to Sewage Blockage

In an unexpected development from Perth, Australia, pop singer Bryan Adams canceled a concert due to severe issues with the arena's sewage system.

Korva Coleman reports:

"The trouble was the sewage system in the arena in Western Australia. It turns out there was a huge blockage in the pipes of fat, grease and rags, sometimes called a fatberg. (04:26)"

Local water authorities highlighted the health risks posed by potential toilet overflows, leading to the abrupt cancellation of the event. The incident underscores the importance of proper infrastructure maintenance to prevent disruptions during large public gatherings.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from legal battles over citizenship and high-stakes political appointments to the economic fallout of trade policies and noteworthy cultural events. With detailed reporting and insightful quotes, listeners are kept informed on the latest developments shaping our world.

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This summary was crafted based on the transcript of the NPR News Now episode released on February 10, 2025.

Transcript

[Carvana Representative]

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A third federal judge has blocked President Trump's executive action attempting to repeal birthright citizenship for some Americans. NPR's Jimena Bustill reports. Trump's action is intended to deter migration.

[Jimena Bustillo]

The judge heard arguments over the Trump administration's effort to REINTERPRET interpret the 14th Amendment to limit which U.S. born children get automatic citizenship. The judge raised questions over what might happen to the children of migrants without permanent status if they were to hypothetically be born while the courts decide the rule of law. US Government lawyers said the Supreme Court could eventually restore citizenship to those who might lose it if it rules against the government. But lawyers on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union said families stuck in limbo would suffer irreparable harm. The judge ultimately said he was not persuaded by the government's position. Ximena Bustillo, NPR news, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

The U.S. senate is expected to vote today on whether to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as the next director of National Intelligence. NPR's Kristin Wright reports. Gabbard is one of President Trump's most divisive cabinet nominees.

[Kristin Wright]

The former Hawaii congresswoman's record on foreign policy has come under sharp scrutiny, even by Republicans, including her past defense of Edward Snowden, who revealed a secret government surveillance program and leaked classified classified documents. Some senators are also troubled by Gabbard's comments suggesting support for Russia and her 2017 visit with Syria's now ousted dictator Bashar al Assad. She narrowly survived an Intelligence Committee vote, winning key Republican support to advance to the Senate floor today.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Kristen Wright reporting. To retaliate or not to retaliate, that is the question many countries are mulling today. That's after President Trump's announcement last night of 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imported into the U.S. nPR's Lauren Frayer has more from London.

[Lauren Frayer]

The British steel industry is already in decline, and a 25% tariff on exports to the US would be a, quote, devastating blow. That's according to a statement from the head of UK Steel, an industry group which is calling on the UK Government to, quote, act decisively in response. British officials already have a plan on the shelf for retaliatory tariffs, but they're holding off so far to see if they can possibly get an exemption from Trump. 10% of British Steel goes to the US it's the industry's second biggest market after the European Union. The UK Has a trade deficit with the US and had been hoping to avoid tariffs now that it's exited the eu. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump also says he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs this week on other countries if they impose retaliatory tariffs. This comes as China imposes tariffs today on U.S. products of 10 to 15%. These target U.S. farm products and U.S. crude oil. On Wall street, the Dow Jones industrials are up nearly 120 points. You're listening to NPR Weather. Forecasters have issued extreme cold warnings for the Northern Plains today. Wind chills may fall to 50 degrees below zero in Montana, North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Novelist Tom Robbins has died at the age of 92. The acclaimed author was best known for books such as Jitterbug Perfume and Even Cowgirls get the Blues. As Tom Vitale reports, Robbins died over the weekend at his home in Washington State.

[Tom Vitale]

Tom Robbins was known for novels filled with colorful language, eccentric characters and bizarre situations that helped define him as a counterculture writer starting in the early 1970s. But Robbins told NPR in 2014 he thought that label pigeonholed his writing unfairly.

[Tom Robbins]

I wouldn't have missed, say, the 60s for a billion dollars, but neither I nor my life's work can be defined by counterculture sensibilities.

[Tom Vitale]

What could define the work of Tom Robbins, he said, was the way he used language brilliantly, playfully and precisely in bestselling novels. That must have been both a joy and a challenge for the people who translated them into Russian, Spanish and more than a dozen other languages. For NPR News, I'm Tom Vitale in New York.

[Korva Coleman]

Officials in Perth, Australia, say that pop singer Bryan Adams called off a concert last night. The trouble was the sewage system in the arena in Western Australia. It turns out there was a huge blockage in the pipes of fat, grease and rags. It's sometimes called a fatberg. Local water authorities say if toilets overflowed, that could be a health risk. You're listening to npr.

[Carvana Representative]

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