NPR News Now – February 11, 2025

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest updates on national and international events in a concise five-minute format.

Trump Administration Targets Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a key agency established in response to the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from predatory financial practices. President Trump criticized the CFPB as "wasteful and poorly run," expressing his disapproval of its founder, Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Donald Trump (00:33): "You know, that was set up to destroy people. She used that as her little personal agency to go around and destroy people, and she's a fake."

The administration has directed the Justice Department to pause enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), a 1977 law aimed at preventing companies from bribing foreign officials. Trump argues that the FCPA "almost guarantees indictment or investigation of Americans seeking to do business overseas" and has ordered the DOJ to develop new guidelines regarding its enforcement.

Global Artificial Intelligence Summit in Paris

Paris, France – A significant summit on artificial intelligence is underway in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron alongside India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event seeks to position Europe and India as pivotal players in the AI landscape, counterbalancing the dominance of the US and China.

Eleanor Beardsley (01:29): "The summit has drawn world leaders, top tech executives and policymakers to discuss AI's impact on global security, economics and governance."

Macron announced a substantial investment of 109 billion euros in AI, highlighting France's commitment to leading in this transformative technology. He emphasized France's advantage in AI due to its reliance on non-carbon nuclear power, which aligns with sustainability goals despite AI's high energy consumption. The United States is represented by Vice President J.D. Vance, who is scheduled to address the summit on Tuesday.

Utah Legislature Passes Transgender Student Housing Bill

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah legislature has passed a controversial bill affecting transgender students' housing options on public college and university campuses. The legislation mandates that transgender students reside in dormitories that correspond with their sex assigned at birth or in gender-neutral housing facilities.

Sage Miller (02:29): "Utah lawmakers are sending a bill to Republican Governor Spencer Cox that would ban transgender students from living in sex designated dorm rooms that align with their gender identity."

Supporters of the bill argue that it protects the privacy of women, whereas opponents contend that it targets transgender individuals, infringes upon their rights, and disregards their privacy. Notably, the law does not provide exceptions, even for students who have legally changed their gender on official documents. This legislation marks one of the first attempts to restrict transgender rights specifically within public university housing systems.

Tragic Plane Crash at Scottsdale Airport

Scottsdale, Arizona – A Learjet arriving from Austin, Texas, crashed at Scottsdale Airport, resulting in the death of the pilot and injuries to several passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the Learjet veered off the runway upon landing and collided with a parked Gulfstream business jet.

This incident follows a series of recent aviation disasters, including crashes in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Western Alaska, raising concerns about aviation safety across the United States.

Passing of Tibetan Pro-Independent Activist Gyal Thundup

Mumbai, India – Gyal Thundup, a prominent Tibetan pro-independence activist, has passed away at the age of 97. Thundup was instrumental in negotiating for Tibet's autonomy and spent much of his life advocating for the return of his eldest brother, the Dalai Lama.

Omkar Khandekar (03:53): "Thondrup's efforts led to the CIA's covert program to support Tibetan armed resistance against Chinese forces."

Thundup was the only one among the Dalai Lama's three brothers who did not pursue a religious life after China's invasion of Tibet in the 1950s. He joined the Tibetan government-in-exile in India, where he led outreach efforts to global leaders and oversaw negotiations with China starting in the late 1970s. His death marks the loss of a key figure in the Tibetan resistance and diplomatic efforts.

Ecuador's Presidential Runoff Election

Quito, Ecuador – Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa is set to face a runoff election after failing to secure an outright majority in a highly contested 16-way race held last Sunday. Noboa, who previously defeated Luisa Gonzalez in the October 2023 elections, will now vie for re-election against Gonzalez in the upcoming runoff.

Shea Stevens (04:31): "Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa will face a runoff after failing to win an outright majority in Sunday's 16 way election. Noboa is being challenged by Luisa Gonzalez, who he defeated in October of 2023."

The runoff election is expected to be a pivotal moment in Ecuador's political landscape, with significant implications for the country's future direction and governance.

This episode of NPR News Now provides comprehensive coverage of significant developments in U.S. politics, global technology leadership, LGBTQ+ rights legislation, aviation safety, Tibetan activism, and South American electoral politics. Notable quotes and precise timestamps offer listeners a clear and detailed understanding of each story.