NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-20-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: January 20, 2025

NPR News: 01-20-2025 3PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump is the guest of honor at an inauguration luncheon and statuary hall at the Capitol. His swearing-in ceremony was held earlier in the rotunda after freezing temperatures today forced inaugural events indoors for the first time since President Reagan's second inauguration in 1985. In his first speech as the 47th president, Trump signaled plans to follow through on executive actions on immigration. They all said inflation was the

number one issue. I said I disagree. I think people coming into our country from prisons and from mental institutions is a bigger issue for the people that I know. And I made them my number one. I talked about inflation too, but you know, how many times can you say that an apple is doubled in cost? Incoming White House officials preview 10 executive orders on border security Specifically the trumpet plan to sign today They include declaring a national emergency at the border and end to catch and release policy reinstating remain in Mexico requiring some asylum seekers at the southern border to wait in Mexico for their US immigration hearings and an end to birthright citizenship. The American Civil Liberties Union had pledged to challenge Trump on any actions deemed

unconstitutional. Well with the inauguration moved indoors thousands of Trump supporters waited in line to get into the Thousands of Trump supporters waited in line to get into the Capital One arena in downtown Washington to view the event on screen and see Trump when he appeared there this afternoon. NPR's Frank Langford has more. People from across the country lined up in 21 degree temperatures in hopes of eventually seeing Trump in person. Kathy Callis is from Pittsburgh. She's a big supporter of Trump, especially for his immigration policies. Callis is the descendant of people she says came here legally.

My grandparents were immigrants. Where they come from? Croatia. Come into our country, come in legally. We welcome you with open arms. Abide by the laws. In fact, apprehensions of people crossing without authorization are down 70 percent in the past six months compared to the same period last year.

Frank Langford, NPR News, Washington. R.P. Putin is congratulating Trump on re-assuming the presidency of the United States. Putin gave his remarks in a speech before his Security Council just hours before Trump took the oath of office. NPR's Charles Means says more. In his comments, Putin said he welcomed Trump's desire to avoid a conflict with Russia that could lead to World War III. He also said he was open to dialogue with Washington, including negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine. The most important thing is to eliminate the main reason for the crisis, said Putin, adding

he didn't want to see a temporary ceasefire that would allow parties to rearm and regroup, but rather a long-term peace. In the Kremlin's view, that means an end to Ukraine's desire to join NATO and recognition of Russia's hold over Ukrainian territories seized by Russian forces over nearly three grueling years of combat. Charles Maines, NPR News, Moscow. This is NPR. Three Israeli hostages were released from Gaza over the weekend after being held for

more than 15 months. More are expected to be freed in the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. FBI Director Paul Abate abruptly retired today. It's unclear who will run the bureau while the Senate decides whether to confirm President Trump's nominee, Cash Patel, for FBI Director. An international panel of experts is recommending a more nuanced and objective way to analyze body composition and body fat. NPR's Alison Arbor reports,

the goal is to move away from BMI as a measure of health. A common assumption is that everyone with a high BMI or body mass index is unhealthy and needs to lose weight. But many athletes and people with stocky builds may be misclassified as overweight or obese if they have a high BMI but low body fat. Now, Dr. Robert Kushner of Northwestern University, who was part of the Lancet Commission that made the recommendation, says it's time for a change. We are now recommending that individuals have another measurement

obtained that more directly gets an estimate of body fat, such as waist circumference. Or to get direct measures of body fat through screening techniques such as the DEXA scan, if available. Alison Aubry, NPR News. US stocks were higher with the Dow up 334 points or three quarters of a percent. I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.