NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-25-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 25, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. On a vote of 59 to 34, the U.S. Senate has confirmed the nomination of Kristi Noem to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. The South Dakota governor has been a defender of President Trump's immigration policies, she'll play a key role in that field and in disaster relief. We get more from NPR's Jimena Bustillo. Noem will oversee more than 260,000 federal employees. In addition to overseeing agencies that deal with immigration, Homeland Security works with the nation's intelligence agencies

to prevent terrorist threats. During her confirmation hearing, Nome repeatedly sought to link questions about national security to the U.S. border with Mexico. As we all agree that the number one threat to our homeland security is the southern border. Noem is set to work closely with White House officials to carry out Trump's plans, many of which have already been laid out through executive actions.

These include increasing resources for deportations, changes to asylum laws, and more. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington. Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth was sworn in this morning after a razor-thin Senate confirmation vote last night. With Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie, the vote was 51 to 50. Four female Israeli soldiers are back in Israel, having been freed from captivity by Hamas after more than 15 months in Gaza. As part of a ceasefire deal, Israel has released some 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

NPR's Greg Myrie has more from Tel Aviv. Hamas presented the four Israeli women, dressed in olive military uniforms, to the Red Cross in a brief ceremony in the center of Gaza City. Hamas fighters with assault rifles, black masks, and their signature green headbands stood in line next to a stage. The orderly event was in sharp contrast to the chaos of the first such handover last Sunday when three Israeli civilian women were released amidst an unruly crowd. As part of the exchange, Israel is freeing around 200 Palestinians. They include dozens convicted of serious crimes, including killings, who will be deported to a

number of countries in the region. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Tel Aviv. President Trump's decision to end DEI in the federal government could ripple into the private sector. Corporate America has already been rolling back its promises, but NPR's Maria Aspin reports on one big exception. In 2020, after George Floyd was murdered, corporate America made a lot of promises to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. But today, corporate America is facing political pressure from those who say that DEI is itself a form of discrimination. The re-election of President Trump has added to this pressure.

One notable exception, Costco shareholders just overwhelmingly voted to reject an anti-DEI proposal. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. This is NPR News in Washington. American Madison Keyes has claimed her first Grand Slam tennis title defeating Irina Sabalenka of Belarus in the Australian Open. Christina Kokolia reports. Madison Keys started strong with an early break against the two-time defending champion Irina Sabalenka to claim the first set of the final in Melbourne. Sabalenka won the second with Keys regaining momentum to take out

the match 6-3 2-6 7-5 in just over two hours. Both women brought a powerful game to the court before Keys caused a major upset to claim her maiden Grand Slam title more than a decade after her first appearance at Melbourne Park. She spoke to Australia's Channel 9 after the match. And I just kept telling myself just try to get the next point, just try to get the next point. Yeah, so it was really just try to walk off the court no matter what and be proud of yourself. For NPR News, I'm Christina Kukola in Melbourne.

Paul McCartney has told the BBC that the British government's proposed changes to copyright law would hurt musicians. You get young guys, girls, coming up and they write a beautiful song and they don't own it. And anyone who wants can just rip it off. The truth is the money's going somewhere. You know, when it gets on the streaming platforms, somebody's getting it and it should be the person who created it. It shouldn't just be some tech giant somewhere.

The proposed changes would allow artificial intelligence firms to use artist content on the internet to develop their computer models unless the copyright owners opt out. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Fresh air? Up first. NPR News Now, Planet Money, Ted Radio Hour, ThruLine, the NPR Politics Podcast, Code Switch, Embedded, Books We Love, Wildcard... are just some of the podcasts you can enjoy sponsor-free with NPR+. Get all sorts of perks across more than 20 podcasts with the bundle option. Learn more at plus.npr.org.