NPR News Now: February 10, 2025

Host: Chase Stevens

In the latest episode of NPR News Now released on February 11, 2025, host Chase Stevens delivers a comprehensive roundup of the most pressing news stories from around the globe. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented throughout the episode.

1. U.S. Politics and Government

a. President Trump's Executive Orders and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

Chase Stevens opens the episode by addressing President Donald Trump's recent signing of executive orders, notably one that pauses the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The FCPA, enacted in 1977, prohibits U.S. businesses from bribing foreign officials to gain a business advantage.

Deepa Shivaram of NPR explains, “The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act bars businesses from paying bribes to overseas officials and has been a key part of the U.S.'s efforts to combat global corruption.” She highlights that since its inception, over 400 corporations have admitted to making questionable or illegal payments to foreign government officials.

However, President Trump contends that the FCPA hampers businesses from making deals freely, citing concerns over excessive fear of investigation. An unnamed analyst criticizes the executive order, stating, “It sounds good on paper, but in practicality, it's a disaster” (01:03). Shivaram further elucidates that the executive order directs the Attorney General to review and potentially revise the bribery law, aiming to establish new enforcement guidelines.

b. Judicial Blockade on Birthright Citizenship Repeal

Chase Stevens transitions to another significant political development: the judicial resistance against President Trump’s attempt to repeal birthright citizenship for certain American children. Ximena Bustillo reports that a third federal judge has blocked this effort, which is part of Trump’s broader strategy to deter migration.

The judge questioned the implications for children of migrants without permanent status, especially those who might be born during the ongoing legal deliberations. U.S. government lawyers suggested that the Supreme Court might ultimately reinstate citizenship for affected children if the lower courts rule against the administration. Conversely, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argued that such legal limbo would cause irreparable harm to families. Ultimately, the judge was not convinced by the government’s position (01:28).

2. International Trade

Chase Stevens reports on the U.S. government's imposition of new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This move is strategically designed to prevent countries like China and Russia from evading existing tariffs by redirecting their steel exports through neighboring countries such as Mexico and Canada. The tariffs aim to uphold domestic industry standards and maintain fair trade practices, although they may escalate trade tensions internationally (02:06).

3. Technology and Business

a. Elon Musk's Bid to Acquire OpenAI

In a surprising development, billionaire Elon Musk, leading a group of investors, has purportedly offered to purchase OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, for nearly $98 billion. However, OpenAI has officially stated that it is not for sale.

Bobby Allen of NPR delves deeper into this matter, revealing that Musk's unsolicited bid coincides with his ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI. Musk, who has transitioned into a White House insider role, accuses OpenAI of abandoning its original mission as a nonprofit research entity in favor of profit-driven growth. These criticisms resonate within Silicon Valley and among left-leaning tech critics who believe OpenAI has strayed from its foundational principles.

In response to Musk's offer, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took to platform X (formerly Twitter), humorously replying, “No, thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.7 billion if you want” (02:33), though this was not intended as a serious counteroffer.

4. International Conflict

Chase Stevens updates listeners on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. A Hamas spokesperson announced the postponement of the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages captured in October 2023. These hostages were slated for release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees under a six-week ceasefire agreement. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating this deal, complicating the humanitarian efforts to resolve the situation (03:13).

5. Legal News

a. Trial of Salman Rushdie Stabbing Suspect

In upstate New York, a jury is currently reviewing evidence in the trial of Hadi Mater, a 27-year-old man from Fairview, New Jersey, charged with the attempted murder and assault of acclaimed novelist Salman Rushdie. The attack occurred while Rushdie was speaking at the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, New York, in August 2022. Mater has entered a plea of not guilty, and the trial proceedings are closely watched, given Rushdie's prominence and the political implications surrounding free speech and extremist violence (03:13).

6. Science and Health

a. Exceptional Case in Alzheimer's Research

A fascinating study covered by John Hamilton highlights a unique case of a man in his mid-70s who remains mentally sharp despite possessing a rare gene mutation typically leading to Alzheimer's disease in middle age. Jorge Gibre from Washington University in St. Louis leads a research team examining this phenomenon, alongside two other similar cases.

An unnamed expert emphasizes the significance of these findings: “It's so important, right, because it's telling us that something is going on that is protecting these people” (04:33). Gibre explains that the man's brain exhibits high levels of proteins associated with high-temperature exposure and other stress forms, suggesting these proteins may confer protective effects against the development of Alzheimer's. This discovery offers new avenues for understanding and potentially mitigating the impacts of neurodegenerative diseases (04:39).

7. Market Update

Chase Stevens concludes the episode with a brief report on the financial markets, noting that U.S. futures are trading higher, indicating positive momentum in the stock market (04:52).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with a thorough overview of significant developments in U.S. politics, international trade, technology, conflict zones, legal proceedings, and scientific research. Through expert analysis and firsthand reporting, the episode offers valuable insights into the complexities shaping the current global landscape.