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

Episode Date: February 2, 2025

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Want to know what it's like to play behind the tiny desk if you've got the talent we've got the desk Unsigned artists enter the 2025 tiny desk contest for an opportunity to play your own tiny desk concert our nationwide Starsearch starts now and the winner will play their own tiny desk concert and a US tour to learn more visit NPR org slash tiny desk contest Live from NPR news in Washington, I'm Nora Rom visit npr.org slash tiny desk contest. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Starting Tuesday, the U.S. will impose a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports. President Trump also signed orders yesterday to place a 25 percent tariff on most imports

from Mexico and Canada. But NPR's Scott Horsley reports Trump ordered just a 10 percent tariff on Canadian oil. One of the things we buy a lot of from Canada is crude oil, and Trump does not want to get blamed for a spike at the gas pump. So while he's ordering a 25 percent tariff on other imports from Canada and Mexico, he's calling for a smaller 10 percent tariff on Canadian crude. Of course, you could apply the same logic to everything else we import from these countries. You know, why have a higher tax on fruits and vegetables,

for example, or TV sets or auto parts? NPR's Scott Horsley. All three countries say they will respond. Texas is bracing for the impact of President Trump's tariffs. As Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton reports, Mexico is the top trading partner of Texas. Trade logistics expert Gary Schwebel is executive vice president at IBC Bank, which is based in Laredo, the nation's busiest trade port. Schwable has been in trade logistics for four decades

and says it would likely take time before tariffs have a major impact on the Texas economy. When we look at any economic impact measured by the supply chain network, which is the movement of goods, is when we're going to be able to feel it right away. I think we'll be able to see it if we see a reduction in the truck activity. Schwebel says he's hopeful the tariffs would not be imposed for a long period of time. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Panama to meet the president and visit the canal which President Trump wants back.

NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports the Panamanian president has ruled out any discussion about that. Secretary Rubio says he chose the Western Hemisphere as his first trip to show that, in his words, American leadership is back in this region, which he says was neglected in the past. He's visiting Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Trade and migration are top issues, but this trip comes as the Trump administration halts most foreign assistance, including in this region.

The State Department says Rubio has issued some limited waivers and exemptions to some aid programs in countries that he's visiting this week, but the spokesperson did not cite any specific examples. Michelle Kelliman, NPR News, Panama City. The interim president of Syria is in Saudi Arabia. Ahmed al-Sharah is seeking financial assistance to rebuild his country after more than a decade of war. His rebel group had toppled the longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December. Sharah is seeking help from both Arab and Western countries.

Many of them did not deal with Syria when Assad was in power. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other for a deadly attack in Russia's Kursk region last night, an area under Ukrainian control since August. A bomb struck a boarding school, killing four people. The school was being used as a shelter for people preparing for evacuation. Last night, the 68th annual OBE Awards, which honor achievement off-Broadway, were announced. This year, as Jeff London reports, instead of holding a public ceremony, the American Theatre Wing, which sponsors the awards And this year the winners will be taking home money, thanks to

$250,000 from an anonymous donor. Among the 35 honorees are Jeremy Tiang, who wrote Salesman, which was named Outstanding New Play, and directors Zalian Livingston and Bill Rauch for Cats the Jellicle Ball, which reset the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical into the world of drag. Another winner was Cole Escola for Oh Mary, which moved to Broadway, where it's become a hit. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. The music industry honors its own tonight at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Beyoncé has 11 nominations for her latest album, Cowboy Carter, in several categories, including pop and country. She's won 32 Grammys and has 99 nominations, more than any other artist.

But she's never won Album of the Year or Record of the Year. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington. It's a new year, and according to Pew, 79% of resolutions are about one thing, health. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.