NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-26-2025 8PM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

NPR News: 01-26-2025 8PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have outlined their plans to slash the federal workforce with the help of a team of quote small government crusaders. What's in store for federal workers and how are they planning for change? This January 1A's.gov series guides you through various government agencies and the people working for you. Listen to the 1A podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Hurst. President Trump is taking retaliatory action against Colombia, a U.S. ally, after the country refused to allow two military

deportation planes from the U.S. to land. And now Colombia's president, Gustavo Petro, says he will respond in kind with tariffs on U.S. goods. And here's Elena Moore reports. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Colombian leader's decision has, quote, jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States. He laid out a handful of measures, including a 25% tariff on Colombian goods

that would rise to 50% the following week. The move, Trump says, would also enact a travel ban and revoke visas for Colombian government officials, as well as impose additional financial sanctions and ramp up inspections of Colombian citizens and cargo at the border. These measures, Trump says, are just the beginning. The Colombian government has put out another statement saying they would provide a presidential plane for migrants. Alaina Moore, NPR News, Washington.

President Trump is denying that software company Oracle is planning to take over TikTok. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, Trump's comments come despite senior White House officials discussing an Oracle deal to save the video app. When asked on Air Force One about an NPR report describing how Oracle is working on a deal to put up tens of billions of dollars for a large stake in TikTok, Trump was dismissive. Trump said he hasn't talked to Larry about it. That's Larry Ellison, founder and chairman of Oracle. Some context.

Trump tried to broker a deal to sell TikTok to Ellison in his first term. Trump said just days ago, quote, I'd like Larry to buy it about TikTok. And Oracle already has a huge contract with TikTok for web hosting. Two people involved with the White House talks who weren't authorized to speak publicly told NPR, Oracle, Microsoft and other investors are putting together a deal to buy out TikTok's Chinese stake. Negotiators say under the deal, Oracle would have oversight of the app's data, algorithm and software updates. Bobby Allen, NPR News. Much needed rain is falling across parts of Southern California, helping firefighters

as they make progress in containing wildfires. But it's raising worries of mudslides and toxic ash. NPR Chandeliers' Duster reports thunderstorms could bring heavy downpours and gusty winds. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch parts of Los Angeles County scorched by the fires. And officials are cautioning those who return to their homes to be careful of toxic material. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director,

Dr. Barbara Furrier. Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic can come from burned electronics and building materials. And even a brief exposure can potentially cause skin irritations and lead to more serious illness. Residents are also advised to wear an N95 mask to not inhale smoke and ash. Chantalise Duster, NPR News.

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Louvre this week amid reports that the world's most visited museum is deteriorating. And here's Eleanor Beardsley has more. A leaky roof and a dangerous lack of temperature control were among a list of complaints detailed by the museum's director to the culture minister in a letter obtained by the French press. The Louvre is like a leaky aircraft carrier. That's New York Times journalist Elaine Sciolino, whose new book on the Louvre will be out in April.

She says architect I.M. Pei's iconic glass pyramid at the museum's entrance is not helping matters either. The pyramid, which everybody loves and is supposed to be modernite and everything, is in terrible shape. There's a greenhouse effect. So it's hot. It's noisy. Set up to receive four million visitors a year, the Louvre welcomes twice that many. The director called for a separate entrance for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, which is

thronged by visitors all day long. Eleanor Beardsley in Pierre News, Paris. Latvia is reaching out to Sweden and other Baltic Sea allies in NATO for assistance as it investigates the cause of damage to an underwater fiber optic data cable running to Sweden. The country's prime minister said on X today that a data cable running on the seabed to Sweden has been damaged in Swedish waters. Latvia, Sweden and other NATO allies in the region are investigating and increasing patrols in that area. U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures down about three-tenths of a percent. NASDAQ futures are down about one and a half percent.

I'm Janene Herbst, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from WISE, the app for doing things in other currencies. Sending or spending money abroad? Hidden fees may be taking a cut. With WISE, you can convert between up to 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate. Visit WISE.com. TNCs apply.