NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-01-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: February 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. A medical transport plane crashed into a busy neighborhood in Philadelphia last night, killing all six people on board. Mayor Sherrell Parker says one person on the ground was killed and 19 others were injured. She urged people who live in the area be careful. There may have been some people in the area last night when the explosion occurred and they may wake up and go out to get into their cars. They live in another part of the city and they may have evidence actually on their cars. If that happens to be you, don't

touch it. Just call 911 immediately. The jet had just taken off from the airport to take home a child from Mexico who had received treatment at Shriners Hospital. A major strike at Costco stores appears to have been averted for now after the Teamsters Union announced a last-minute tentative agreement for a new contract. NPR's Amy Held reports.

The announcement came just hours after the collective bargaining agreement expired, and the union said that roughly 8% of the company's workforce it represents would stop working. That's 18,000 Costco workers in six states, including New York, California, and Washington, where the company is based. Costco had recently announced raises for non-union entry-level workers of $20 an hour and around $30 for clerks and assistants. The union workers were demanding a contract they say better reflects

the company's sales and growth. In the last fiscal year, Costco's revenue grew 5% to more than $250 billion. It operates more than 600 U.S. stores. Amy Held, NPR News. Israeli-American Keith Siegel was released today after being held by Hamas in Gaza since October of 2023. He was among three hostages released under the terms of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo are rejecting any attempt to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza, as suggested by President Trump. NPR's Jerome Sokolowski reports.

Trump has said several times now that he wants Egypt and Jordan to take in refugees from Gaza. The Arab foreign ministers don't specifically mention Trump's comments in a concluding statement, but they do warn against uprooting Palestinians under any circumstances or justifications. And they say they look forward to working with the Trump administration to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also spoke by phone to Trump. El-Sisi's spokesman called it a positive dialogue, though he didn't

say whether they discussed Trump's ideas about Gaza's future. The White House did not immediately confirm the call. Jerome Sokolowski, NPR News, Tel Aviv. This is NPR News. The Grammy Awards take place in Los Angeles tomorrow. NPR's Sydney Madden reports Beyoncé leads the pack this year with 11 Grammy nominations. Beyoncé's latest album, Cowboy Carter, is recognized in country, Americana, and pop categories. Newcomers Chappell Rowan, Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, and Dochi all enjoyed breakout moments this year and are up for the category of best new artist.

Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter are also each nominated in some of the night's major categories including record, song, and album of the year. And speaking of album of the year, it's arguably the most coveted title of the night and this will be one to watch for sure. It's between albums by Beyonce, Carpenter, and Rhone, along with Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jacob Collier, and Andre 3000. The 67th Annual Grammy Awards are set to air live on CBS February 2nd. Sydney Madden, NPR News. A different sort of winner was announced in Germany yesterday in its annual Stag Calling

Contest. Hunters, using horns and other devices, compete to sound the most like a bellowing of winter was announced in Germany yesterday in its annual stag calling contest. Hunters using horns and other devices compete to sound the most like a bellowing red deer during mating season. The idea is to trick a rival stag to show himself so he can be shot. The Associated Press reports that the winner again this this year, was Fabian Wenzel, who now holds the title for the fifth straight year. He'll go on to compete in the European Stag Calling Championships in Lithuania in October. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.