NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 11, 2025, 4 AM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of the latest national and international developments in its February 11, 2025, episode. Hosted by Shea Stevens, the episode covered significant political moves, legal cases, economic tensions, tragic incidents, and groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

1. President Trump's Order to Pause the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Introduction by Shea Stevens [00:16]

Shea Stevens opened the episode by reporting a pivotal decision by President Donald Trump. The administration has instructed the Department of Justice to halt the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) pending a thorough review. The FCPA, established in 1977, prohibits companies from bribing foreign officials to gain business advantages. President Trump criticized the act, stating it "almost guarantees indictment or investigation of Americans seeking to do business overseas" (00:16).

2. Presidential Pardon of Former Governor Rod Blagojevich

Reporting by Mawa Iqbal [00:55]

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat convicted in 2011 on multiple corruption charges—including an attempt to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama—received a presidential pardon from Trump. Blagojevich, now 68, refers to himself as a "Trumpocrat." He had previously served eight years in prison before Donald Trump commuted his sentence in 2020 (00:55).

Quotes and Reactions:

• Rod Blagojevich [01:13]: "It's my honor to do it. I've watched him. He was set up by a lot of bad people, some of the same people that I had to deal with."

• US Senator Dick Durbin [01:22]: "In a state with more than its fair share of corruption, the Blagojevich chapter still looms as one of the worst."

Senator Durbin emphasized the lingering impact of Blagojevich's corruption on Illinois' reputation, highlighting the gravity of his offenses (01:22).

3. Protests Against CFPB Shutdown and EU's Stance on Tariffs

Shea Stevens on CFPB Protests [01:34]

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) office on Monday. They protested the Trump administration's directive for CFPB staff to cease operations amid broader efforts to dismantle the agency (01:34).

Economic Tensions with the European Union [01:34 - 02:40]

Shea Stevens also reported on escalating trade tensions between the United States and the European Union. The European Commission is actively seeking to dissuade President Trump from imposing new tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. Terry Schultz provided an in-depth report from Brussels, highlighting the EU's concerns:

• Terry Schultz [01:57]: "The European Union is the third biggest supplier of steel and aluminum to the US following Canada and Mexico. Brussels is deeply concerned about President Trump's threats to impose new tariffs on these imports."

EU's Response and Legal Concerns:

• Olaf Gil, European Commission Spokesperson [01:57]: "The EU believes this move would be unlawful, but if it happens, the bloc will respond. We will always take the necessary steps to protect our economic interests as well as European businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified tariff measures."

Trump had previously imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminum during his first term but later suspended them. The EU retaliated with its own measures, which are also under suspension until the following month (02:40).

4. Fatal Plane Crash in Scottsdale, Arizona

Report by Giles Snyder [02:40]

A tragic plane crash occurred at the Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona, marking the fourth such incident in the United States within a month. A Learjet skidded off the runway during landing, resulting in at least one fatality and several injuries. The aircraft collided with a parked mid-sized business jet. Local media identified the troubled plane as being registered to Motley Crue singer Vince Neil, although he was not aboard the flight (02:50).

5. Legal Actions Against the Trump Administration and Notable Convictions

Shea Stevens on Legal Battles and Convictions [03:10]

Shea Stevens continued with reports on significant legal proceedings:

• States vs. Trump Administration: Twenty-two states have initiated lawsuits against the Trump administration and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for allegedly reducing funding for medical and public health research. Led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, the plaintiffs argue that these spending cuts are illegal (03:10).

• Jury Convictions: In New York, a jury convicted three men—37-year-old Jaquan Hamilton, 32-year-old Jacob Barrasso, and 36-year-old Robert DeMaio—for the brutal murders of two men. The victims were lured from gay bars, drugged, and subsequently killed. The convicted individuals now face sentences ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment on charges of murder, robbery, and conspiracy (03:10).

6. Breakthrough in Astronomy: Discovery of an Einstein Ring

Reporting by Chandelyse Duster [04:04]

The European Space Agency (ESA) unveiled stunning photographs of an Einstein ring, a rare astronomical phenomenon, encircling a distant galaxy millions of miles from Earth. This discovery has captivated the scientific community:

• Chandelyse Duster [04:04]: "The bright ring of light surrounding the galaxy is called an Einstein ring. It is created when light from a distant galaxy bends and forms a ring that looks aligned with another galaxy or massive object."

This is the first detection of such a ring by Euclid, a space telescope dedicated to mapping the universe. Jacqueline McClary, a physics professor at Northeastern University, commented on the telescope's advanced high-resolution instruments as the key to identifying this subtle phenomenon:

• Jacqueline McClary: "Scientists were able to find the ring because of the telescope's high-resolution instruments."

Previously, broader telescope generations could not distinguish these rings due to the overwhelming light from massive galaxies (04:04).

Future Prospects:

Astronomers are optimistic that Euclid will uncover more Einstein rings, enhancing our understanding of the universe's structure and gravitational effects (04:42).

7. Market Update

Shea Stevens on Wall Street [04:49]

In the closing segment, Shea Stevens reported that U.S. futures were trading lower in after-hours markets on Wall Street, reflecting investor concerns amid the day's economic and political developments (04:49).

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet comprehensive snapshot of the day's most pressing issues, ranging from high-stakes political decisions and legal battles to economic tensions, societal tragedies, and monumental scientific breakthroughs.