NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-08-2025 1AM EST

Episode Date: February 8, 2025

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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Donald Trump suggested Friday that the Japanese company Nippon Steel no longer wants to buy U.S. Steel. Such a deal was rejected by President Biden last month on national security grounds. They'll be looking at an investment rather than a purchase. We didn't like the idea. U.S. Steel is a very important company to us. It was the greatest company in the world for 15 years, many years ago, 80 years ago, and

we didn't want to see that leave. The details of any such investment are still unclear. Trump, who during the news conference three times called the company Nissan, said he will meet next week with Nippon's president to mediate and arbitrate the deal. Representatives of Elon Musk's cost-cutting team have entered the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and gained access to key systems. As NPR's Laura Wamsley reports, the moves come amid a turbulent week at the Bureau. At the Consumer Financial Watchdog, members of Musk's team gained access

to internal computer systems that manage the Bureau's human resources and finance systems, according to a source familiar with the group's actions. Musk's team has also taken control of the Bureau's social media accounts. On Friday, Musk posted on his personal ex-account, quote, CFPB RIP. Earlier this week, employees at the Bureau were instructed to halt most of their work. In a statement, the CFPB union noted that the Bureau collects and maintains a vast amount of sensitive financial information.

The actions are stirring fears that Musk will try to dismantle the Bureau, which is part of the Federal Reserve system. As of Friday night, the Bureau's home page showed an error message. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington. President Trump also announced Friday he'll take over as the chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, Trump also said he plans to dismiss several board members. At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. great again,

President Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. Trump criticized the Kennedy Center for staging shows involving drag performers that he said targeted youth. He also said he plans to fire the Center's long-time board chair, David Rubenstein, among other trustees, for not sharing his, quote, vision for a golden age in arts and culture. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for Rubenstein said no comment. Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term in office, a break with tradition. Chloe Valtman, NPR News.

The winter virus season is hitting hard this year, that's according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials say one indicator of flu activity is the percentage of doctors' visits driven by flu-like symptoms. Last week, that number was higher than the peak of any flu season since 2009 and 2010. That's when the swine flu pandemic hit the nation. COVID-19, meanwhile, appears to be on the decline. You're listening to NPR News.

President Trump has signed an executive order that cuts U.S. financial assistance to South Africa. The latest available data from 2023 shows the U.S. sent almost $440 million in assistance to the country. In announcing his order, Trump cited disapproval of its land policies. He also pointed to South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. With Super Bowl 59 taking place in New Orleans on Sunday, the NFL Players Association put out a statement this week supporting striking nurses at the city's University Medical Center. Drew Hawkins has more from the Gulf States newsroom. The union

representing NFL players issued a statement in solidarity with the nurses saying that when nurses have a voice, patients are safer. And they're urging UMC to respect nurses' right to bargain, work toward a fair contract, and prioritize patient care over conflict. Haley Dupree is part of the hospital's nursing union. The big things on this are like patient safety issues. The nurses went on strike on Wednesday and had planned for it to last only two days, but hospital administrators have locked the nurses out through Super Bowl weekend, citing

obligations with the staffing company who brought in contract nurses to fill in during the strike. For NPR News, I'm Drew Hawkins in New Orleans. Thomas Detrie almost aced the par 316th hole on his way to his 764 in the second round of the phoenix open on Friday Detri had eight birdies in the bogey to reach 12 under and take the lead Michael Kim shot a 63 in his tide for second with alex smally Emiliano Greenlow of Argentina meanwhile aced the par 3 16th hole. I'm Dale Willman NPR News.