NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-26-2025 7AM EST

Episode Date: January 26, 2025

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Usher, Yo-Yo Ma, Boy Genius, Shaka Khan, Billie Eilish, Weird Al, one thing all these big stars have in common, they've all played behind NPR's Tiny Desk. And if you enter NPR's Tiny Desk Contest between now and February 10th, you could be next. Unsigned musicians can find out more and see the official rules at npr.org slash tiny desk contest. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump is promising to fulfill his campaign pledge to eliminate taxes on tips.

NPR's Osma Collard reports on Trump's victory lap rally at a casino in Las Vegas this weekend. Trump first floated the idea of no taxes on tips in this same city last June during a campaign rally, and he credits it with helping him win the key state of Nevada in the presidential election. The president said that in the coming weeks, he'll be working with Congress to get a bill to change the tax policies. Your tips will be 100 percent yours. A president cannot unilaterally change the tax code, but large portions of

this sweeping 2017 tax law are set to expire at the end of 2025. And the president said tax cuts are at the top of his legislative agenda. We're going to get it for you. No tax on. Asma Khalid, NPR News. President Trump says he would like Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations to increase the number of Palestinian refugees they take in from Gaza. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that Gaza is like a demolition site and he wants Arab nations to help build housing in different locations. Trump's remarks come as Israel blocks displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza in a dispute over an Israeli civilian that Israel says should have been released in yesterday's

hostages for prisoner swap. Members of the largest indigenous tribe in the U.S. fear those outside the reservation may be detained as the Trump administration steps up deportation efforts. From Member Station KNAU Adrian Scavilland reports. Fear that Navajo Nation tribal members could be detained by ICE has exploded on social media. But Navajo President Boo Nygren says there haven't been any confirmed cases. He says they're in touch with officials in Arizona, New Mexico, and federal authorities.

This is just unnecessary stress on my people, but I just want to continue to let my people know we're knocking on all avenues to make sure that the United States of America continues to treat us with respect. Nigrid's encouraging tribal members to keep a photo ID on them and call a new hotline if they're questioned by ICE agents, but many in the tribe lack forms of identification. ICE says it hasn't been active on the Navajo Nation in recent days and officers don't target individuals based on the color of their skin, their language, or ethnicity. For NPR, I'm Adrian Scabland in Flagstaff. The latest member of President Trump's national security team has been sworn in.

Kristi Noem was sworn in as Homeland Security Secretary this weekend by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas after she won Senate confirmation on a 59 to 34 vote. The next Senate confirmation vote is expected tomorrow evening for Scott Besant as Treasury Secretary. Janek Center has successfully defended his Australian Open title. He beat Alexander Sparev in straight sets in the men's final a short time ago. This is NPR News. A museum in the Netherlands is closed this weekend while police investigate a robbery in which thieves used explosives to force open a door and then made off with several

gold masterpieces, one of them crafted nearly 2,500 years ago. The pieces were on loan from the National History Museum of Romania. The robbery at the Drentz Museum happened early Saturday. The museum's director says it's the biggest incident in the museum's 170-year history. Authorities say they suspect multiple individuals were involved. Student organizers in Tennessee planning to march again at the State House tomorrow to demand gun reform. Following Wednesday's school shooting in Nashville, the left two students dead, including the shooter Mariana Bakhiyal, Member Station WPLN reports.

A groundswell movement for gun reform in 2023 after the deadly Covenant school shooting did not sway Tennessee's Republican supermajority, which refused a call from its Republican governor to pass a red flag law. College student Jermaine Cole Jr. says he doesn't expect the recent shooting at Antioch High School to change any minds. But he's still going to march at the Capitol. I'm tired of doing this.

Year after year, I show up hoping that they'll do something about gun violence and it never changes. The Tennessee House has already restricted the public's access to the chamber by reserving half of the gallery for guests of lawmakers. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallao in Nashville. And I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News. Hey, it's Robin H This is NPR News.