NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-26-2025 4AM EST

Episode Date: January 26, 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 Amy Held. You're fired, a tagline President Trump made famous. He's now applied to at least a dozen independent inspectors general. They had oversight of the education, defense, and other departments, and were charged with looking into potential abuse of power.

They were let go Friday night, Democrats condemned the move, and at least one Senate Republican, Chuck Grassley, pointed out a 30-day notice of removal was not provided to Congress, an apparent violation of federal law. Aboard Air Force One last night, Trump spoke to reporters about the people fired. Some people thought that some were unfair

or some were not doing the job. And it's a very standard thing to do. It's unclear who will take over as new inspectors general. TikTok may be on its way back under a Trump administration plan still being negotiated. Software company, Oracle, and others would effectively take control of the app's global operations, giving American investors a majority stake,

minimizing Chinese ownership that would satisfy U.S. law. People with direct knowledge told NPR about the talks. Officials in Arizona say two facilities that receive legally processed asylum seekers from the U.S.-Mexico border is scheduled to shut down tonight. From member station KJZZ, Alisa Resnick reports. Pima County has provided transportation, short-term shelter and other services to asylum seekers since 2019. Those efforts rely on reimbursements from the federal government. But Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair, Rex Scott, says local leaders expected changes

with the new Trump administration. As soon as he took office and issued the executive orders that he did, we had to move quickly. Executive actions put an end to the current process for requesting asylum at the border. Scott says Pima County leaders worry federal funding won't be guaranteed if Tucson shelters are empty. They decided to shut our operations after no new asylum seekers arrived on Monday. For NPR News, I'm Elisa Resnick in Tucson, Arizona. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding, but hit its first major snag. After

the militant group released four female soldiers and Israel freed 200 Palestinian prisoners yesterday, Israel said it will not allow displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza because an Israeli civilian hostage was not released. NPR's Greg Myhre reports from Tel Aviv on more challenges to come. Greg Myhre, NPR Special Investigator, Tel Aviv There are some very hard questions that are still ahead. The first phase of the ceasefire lasts six weeks. The two sides will then have to negotiate some very hard questions like when will all the Israeli troops leave Gaza and will Hamas be allowed to remain in charge of Gaza? Hamas is expected to release three hostages every seven days in exchange for more Palestinian

prisoners. This is NPR News. The world's biggest movement of humanity is underway in China. Billions of trips are expected in the coming days for the Lunar New Year, which is Wednesday. But a mass migration happens over a 40-day period, peaking this weekend as people gather and celebrate the Year of the Snake. They travel mostly by car, but also by plane and train. Cross-border trips are expected to rise by 10% this year, as rising prosperity has enabled further travel. By the end of today, the opposing teams for Super Bowl 59,

set for February 9th in New Orleans, will be determined. Greg Eklund has more from Kansas City, where one of the two conference championship games will be played. The Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time Super Bowl champions, square off against the Buffalo Bills who are trying to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelsey says his team will need to be in top form to win. Everybody understands the the stakes and you know, everything that we got at hand going against these bills.

So it's just making sure you're showing that you're going to work more now than ever. In the NFC Championship, the Philadelphia Eagles are hoping to return to the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three years when they host the Washington Commanders. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eklund in Kansas City. At the Australian Open, the world's top two tennis players are facing off. Number one, Janek Sinner of Italy is playing world number two Alexander Zvedev of Germany. This is NPR News.