NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-25-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: January 25, 2025

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The indicator from Planet Money is diving into the world of batteries. Not the kind you buy at the grocery store. We're talking really big batteries. The kind that can power thousands of homes. This technology came seemingly out of nowhere. We're digging deep into the battery industry in three back-to-back episodes. Listen to The Indicator from Planet Money podcast on NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Hamas has handed over four female Israeli soldiers who've been held captive for more than 15 months in Gaza. As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners and detainees today.

NPR's Greg Myrie is in 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 has fired multiple independent watchdogs at federal agencies, including inspectors general at the departments of state, defense, and transportation. The dismissals last night appear to violate federal law, which requires 30 days notice to Congress. Inspectors general conduct audits, investigations into allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse of power, The Washington Post first to report the dismissals.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell defending the agency after President Trump said he is considering getting rid of it in favor of federal money being given to states to handle disasters themselves. But Criswell says there's always room for improvement. There's always opportunity to continue to improve. And I think having somebody come by and take a look at it is not a bad thing. But just, I think that it's important to start the conversation with really understanding what FEMA's role is also at the same time. President Trump's decision to end what's known as DEI in the federal government could ripple into the private sector. But NPR's Maria Aspin reports that corporate America has already been rolling back its DEI promises for business as well

as political reasons. Maria Aspin In 2020, after George Floyd was murdered, corporate America made a lot of promises to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. But today, companies including Walmart, McDonald's, and Amazon are ending some diversity programs. 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. The DEI rollback also reflects changing business attitudes. Back in 2020, it was trendy for big companies to pledge to help workers and help the planet

while still making more money. But they couldn't always follow through. One notable exception, Costco shareholders just overwhelmingly voted to reject an anti-DEI proposal. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. And you're listening to NPR News. The Senate has confirmed Pete Hegseth as the next defense secretary. Hegseth narrowly won confirmation in a vote last night

in which Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaker. Hegseth overcame doubts about his qualifications and allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking. Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell issued a statement after the vote questioning whether Hegseth will be able to lead the Pentagon. McConnell was one of three Republicans who joined Democrats in voting no on Hegseth's nomination.

The others were Alaska's Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins of Maine. American Madison Keyes has claimed her first Grand Slam tennis title with a three-set win over world number one the Belarusian Irina Sabalenka in the Australian Open Women's Singles Final. Kastrina Kokulio reports from Melbourne. 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, just try to walk off the court no matter what and be proud of yourself.

For NPR News, I'm Christina Kukaglia in Melbourne. And I'm Childe Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington. Matt Wilson spent years doing rounds at children's hospitals in New York City. Matt Wilson I had a clip-on tie. I wore Heelys, size 11. Lyle Johnson Matt was a medical clown. Matt Wilson The whole of a medical clown is to reintroduce the sense of play and joy and hope and light into a space that doesn't normally inhabit. Lyle Johnson

Ideas about navigating uncertainty. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.