NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-16-2025 5PM EST

Episode Date: January 16, 2025

NPR News: 01-16-2025 5PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This message comes from NPR sponsor Paramount Pictures' new film, September 5. Based on the true story of reporters covering the Munich Olympics, when the unthinkable happens, four outsiders will report from the inside, now playing in select theaters everywhere January 17. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Officials in Gaza say at least 83 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since mediators announced an agreement yesterday to end more than 15 months of war there. St. Piers Kat Lonsdorf reports an Israeli security cabinet

vote that would allow for a ceasefire to begin has now been pushed to tomorrow. Israel says Hamas demanded last-minute changes to the deal after mediators announced it was done. Hamas denies that. Meanwhile, the Israeli military says it struck approximately 50 targets across Gaza in the past day, killing at least one Hamas member responsible for the 2023 attack on southern Israel. Civilians were also killed, including 23 children, according to Civil Defense. NPR's producer in Gaza, Anas Baba, says many there are anxious that the fighting will get worse before it gets better. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Doug Burgum, president-elect, Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of the Interior, faced questioning in the Senate today during his confirmation hearing. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, Burgum emphasized his goals of boosting fossil fuel production on public lands. The tone of Burgum's confirmation hearing was largely friendly, as the former North Dakota governor is among Trump's less controversial cabinet picks. Burgum acknowledged the global reality of climate change, but criticized renewable energy as less reliable than fossil fuels.

Burgum made clear his main focus as secretary would be to increase change, but criticized renewable energy as less reliable than fossil fuels. Burgum made clear his main focus as secretary would be to increase domestic oil and gas production, which is already at an all-time high. To address the nation's housing crisis, Burgum supported the idea of building housing on public lands. Burgum also seemed open to delisting certain species, like grizzly bears, from the Endangered Species Act. He's expected to be confirmed. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody is heading to Washington. The governor of Florida appointing her to the U.S. Senate today. She'll replace Senator Marco Rubio if he's confirmed to be the next secretary of state. More from Adrienne Andrews of Member Station WFSU. Moody would serve in the Senate until 2026 if the Senate approves President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rubio. Moody has been a firm supporter of Governor Ron DeSantis and the Trump administration since taking office in 2019. She expressed her willingness to continue the fight towards illegal immigration reform

during her acceptance speech. I have one message right now to President Trump and to my new colleagues on the United States Senate. America first. Let's get it done. DeSantis in his announcement said he wanted a senator who can work with Trump to help cut excessive spending and strengthen the nation's border. For NPR News, I'm Adrian Andrews in Tallahassee. Stocks took a dip today after their major run-ups yesterday. The Dow fell 68 points. The Nasdaq was down 172 points today.

You are listening to NPR. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has at long last reached a deal in a settlement with two Georgia election workers he defamed repeatedly and falsely, maintaining they helped steal the 2020 election. Giuliani was at risk of losing his home and personal property after a $148 million judgment against him, but based on the settlement, will apparently be able to keep those assets. That includes a 10-room apartment in New York's Upper East Side as well as other items that was in exchange for an undisclosed amount of cash. In the first day of the Los Angeles fires, bogus images apparently were magnifying the

terror some created with AI. Or if MPR's Bill Chappell. Dozens of fake images claimed the Hollywood sign was on fire. One fake showed a burned up Oscar statue, but the image was made on a phone using Google's AI tools. Hany Fareed is an expert on fakes at the University of California, Berkeley. I mean you gotta love the one where Hollywood was spelled wrong. What Fareed doesn't love is the impact of fakes. They can distract firefighters and confuse people trying to evacuate.

And they create doubt about all content, including facts. The AI expert has one tip to avoid bogus images. You don't have to become a forensic analyst. Just get off of social media. You will thank me. He recommends relying on news outlets for news and social media for cat videos. Bill Chappell, NPR News. Americans wound down the year in something but buying mood. The Commerce Department says retail

sales rose four-tenths of a percent last month. Government says retail sales to December were higher as consumers up their spending and everything from furniture to clothing. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. After more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire deal has been announced in Gaza. State of the World brings you the latest news as the deal is tested and hostages are released. Our reporters in the Middle East will provide details, context and reaction from the region and around the world. Listen to the State of the World podcast from NPR.