NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-12-2025 8PM EST

Episode Date: January 13, 2025

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Okay, so does this sound like you? You love NPR's podcasts, you wish you could get more of all your favorite shows, and you want to support NPR's mission to create a more informed public. If all that sounds appealing, then it is time to sign up for the NPR Plus bundle. Learn more at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Los Angeles firefighters expect conditions to worsen as they continue to fight deadly wildfires in the area. Officials are investigating at least 16 deaths in connection to what California Governor Gavin Newsom says could end up being the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

Elise Hugh has the latest from Los Angeles. Two of the largest fires burning, the Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena and the coastal Palisades fire remain largely uncontained ahead of windier conditions expected to move in by Monday. Aerial firefighters have laid down fire retardant over the mountains, painting the peaks in red lines. Crews from other states, Mexico and Canada have joined in the firefighting effort. Governor Newsom said more than 14,000 personnel are involved in the effort to control the

fires. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney said Sunday crews have the resources they need in the days ahead. For NPR News, I'm Elise Hue in Los Angeles. Animal rescue operations are in high gear in the region. Rachel Miro from member station KQED has details on Pasadena Humane looking after animals affected by the Eaton Fire in Southern California. Pasadena Humane has taken in more than 400 animals including dogs, cats, bunnies, cockatoos,

goats, wild birds, even a pony. President and CEO Diya Duvernett says 150 employees, including five full-time veterinarians, are working around the clock. This organization has served through two world wars, a great depression. We did the pandemic. We can handle whatever comes our way. She says search and rescue teams are out now looking for survivors and victims. For those animals that were microchipped, the owners can be contacted. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Miro in Pasadena.

Ceasefire talks underway in Qatar were the focus of today's talks between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The negotiations aimed to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza after more than a year of war. The latest talks would see Israeli hostages released in exchange for Palestinian detainees. And Piyara's Kat Lonsdorf reports. The two leaders discussed, quote, progress in the negotiations, according to a brief statement from the prime minister's office. A readout from the White House after the phone call said that Biden, quote, stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian

aid. The call was just a day after President-elect Trump's new envoy to the region, Steve Whitkoff, made a surprise visit to Israel to meet with Netanyahu. Witkoff had been attending the talks in Doha. Meanwhile, fighting in Gaza remains deadly. At least 28 Palestinians were killed in the past day, according to health officials there. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed, according to the military. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv. This is NPR.

The Los Angeles Unified School District says it plans to reopen most schools on Monday. The district shuttered all buildings late Wednesday as the fire situation worsened across the county. In a robo-call message to parents this evening, the district said conditions have improved and the district is confident it's safe for students and employees to return to campuses. In that recording, it said some schools in the highest-impact areas will remain closed. Officials in Japan are joining those in the U.S. and accusing China of launching aggressive cyberattacks and spying on critical infrastructure.

NPR's Jenna McLaughlin reports. Cybersecurity officials in Japan say that a Chinese hacking group has been targeting Japanese businesses, organizations, and individuals since 2019. They call that group Mirrorface. According to the officials, the Chinese hacking group has been trying to steal information relating to Japanese national security and technology. The advisory comes at a time when U.S. officials say Chinese hacking groups are also buried deep within U.S. critical infrastructure from telecoms to military systems. They're not only spying, but also hoping to secure a foothold in vital systems in case

it gives China an advantage in a possible future conflict. Jen McLaughlin, NPR News. The app that facilitates TikTok owned by China-based parent company Bike Dance could vanish from U.S. app stores by the end of this coming week. If the U.S. Supreme Court rules this way, people who have already downloaded it to their devices will continue to have access, but for most, updates won't be available. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News. What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries for 2025? We don't know, won't be available. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News.