NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-01-2025 4PM EST

Episode Date: February 1, 2025

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Noor Aram, MPR News in Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is traveling to Panama today. It's his first overseas trip as the nation's top diplomat, and he's staying in his hemisphere. MPR's Michelle Kellerman reports. Secretary Rubio is making this region a priority, according to U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Hemisphere, Mauricio Claver-Kerron. From migration to security to commerce, there's no other region in the world that affects individual American lives more on a daily basis than the Western Hemisphere.

His first stop is Panama, where the president says he's ready to talk to Rubio about trade and migration, just not control over the Panama Canal. That's something President Trump has set his sights on. Rubio has raised concerns about Chinese companies there and he's planning to visit the canal on Sunday. He'll also travel to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Michelle Kellerman and BR News, the State Department. Canadians are bracing for 25 percent tariffs on most products that President Trump has said he imposed.

Dan Karpanchuk reports. There would be significant implications for major industries such as the automotive sector in Canada. With many Canadian products becoming more expensive, American consumers will likely avoid buying them. Canada has promised to retaliate, imposing taxes on American products such as orange juice and wine and spirits. Canadian officials say in retaliation all options are on the table, including energy.

The U.S. imports well over $100 billion a year from Canada in this sector. It all comes as the Canadian dollar has already dropped against the U.S. dollar, and economists fear a potential prolonged tariff war would mean higher prices and job losses and would likely push Canada into a recession. For NPR News, I'm Dan Carpinchuk in Toronto. The White House says President Trump also plans to impose 25 percent duties on imports from Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on goods from China. Hamas has released three mail hostages held in Gaza since the beginning of the war, including

an Israeli American. In exchange, Israel released 183 Palestinians jailed in Israel, some charged with deadly attacks on Israelis. NPR's Anas Babot was there when some returned to Gaza. A warning, this report begins with the sound of gunfire. What we are hearing in the background now is gunfire celebrating from the families of the release of their own beloved, the prisoners from the Israeli jail.

I found a mother with her own son. Once she saw him for the first time after 25 years in jail, she collapsed, she fainted. NPR's Anas Baba. President Trump posted on social media today that he ordered precision airstrikes against ISIS positions in Somalia, killing many terrorists and destroying their caves. He provided no specific information. This is NPR News in Washington. 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 Rowan 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 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 the winner, again 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.