NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-08-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: February 8, 2025

NPR News: 02-08-2025 6AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The Palestinian militant group Hamas today released three Israeli hostages, part of that ceasefire deal struck last month, in which Israel will also release more than 180 Palestinian detainees in exchange. NPR's Jerome Sokoloski reports from Tel Aviv. Eliyahu Sharabi, or Levi, and Ohad Ben Ami looked thin and haggard. The men were led onto a stage where they gave statements to the crowd, flanked by heavily armed gunmen.

Hamas took advantage of the handover to mount an elaborate ceremony as in past hostage releases. Flags and banners celebrated Palestinian nationhood and condemned Israel. The mere fact that it went ahead is a signal that last month's ceasefire in Gaza is holding. Hamas has condemned a proposal by President Trump to relocate Palestinians out of Gaza to make way for post-war reconstruction. Jerome Sokolowski, NPR News, Tel Aviv. A federal judge has blocked Elon Musk's cost-cutting team from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records.

The judge issued the order overnight after 19 Democratic Attorneys General filed suit alleging that giving access to Treasury's central payment system to Musk's team is a violation of federal law. In a separate case, a federal judge yesterday declined to block Musk from accessing the Labor Department system. Musk's cutters have gained access to key systems at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. NPR's Ola Wamsi reports on a turbulent week there. 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. Speaking at an event with Republican lawmakers at Mar-a-Lago last night,

President Trump remarked on USAID, the Agency for International Development, that he and Elon Musk are trying to dismantle. You know, he went into this group of people and you see what they've been spending money on. The horrible USAID, the horrible things that they're spending money on. It's gotta be kickback. Trump spoke hours after a federal judge granted what he called a very limited restraining order that gave some 2,200 staffers a reprieve from being placed on administrative leave. This is NPR. Crews are working against time to recover a commuter plane that crashed Thursday on sea ice while on its way to Nome.

All 10 people on board were killed. Crews are working to recover the wreckage and the remains of those killed on unstable and slushy ice before bad weather moves in. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are being sent to the scene. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be taking seriously President Trump's talk of making Canada the 51st state. Media reports say Trudeau told a group of business and labor leaders that it's a real thing. Trudeau's remarks were made behind closed doors but were mistakenly picked up on an open mic. As Americans get ready to watch the Super

Bowl they will also spend a lot of money betting on the game. NPR's Sean DeLees Duster has more on how much and on betting safely. NPR's Sean DeLees Duster The American Gaming Association says people in the U.S. will spend nearly $1.4 billion in legal bets on the Super Bowl. That is a record and a big jump from last year's Super Bowl. Joe Maloney of the American Gaming Association says people are betting more money because they trust legal betting. It's increased faith and confidence in the consumer protections,

in the promotion of responsibility, as well as the confidence that consumers have in knowing that my state is regulating this entity. An online gambling boom has also made it much more accessible. Officials warn gamblers to be cautious of scammers and to check with their state gaming agencies on what sportsbook operators are legal. Chandelis Duster, NPR News.

And I'm Jial Snyder. This is NPR News. If you love NPR podcasts, you don't need me to tell you the value of public media in your life. To support our mission and get perks like sponsor-free podcast listening across more than 20 NPR podcasts and exclusive bonus episodes, sign up for the NPR Plus bundle at plus.npr.org.