NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-26-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: January 26, 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. President Trump took office less than a week ago and his slew of executive actions, pardons and threats of tariffs and sanctions are making waves.

Late Friday night, Trump fired the independent inspectors general at 12 major federal agencies, as NPR's Mara Liason reports. Inspectors general play a critical role in assuring the lawful and efficient operations of government. They're responsible for identifying fraud, waste, and abuse in government agencies. But Trump has promised to reshape the federal government, not just slashing costs and regulations, but also by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to, quote, dismantle government bureaucracy.

Firing the nonpartisan inspectors general will be challenged in court. Congress requires 30 days notice of the intent to fire an IG and specifies that the president must inform lawmakers of the, quote, substantive rationale, including detailed and case specific reasons for the action. Mara Liason, NPR News. President Trump confirmed the firings this weekend, telling reporters aboard Air Force One that it's a very common thing to do. Democrats are blasting the move as a late-night purge. Israel has missed a deadline to withdraw from Lebanon as part of a ceasefire agreement with

the militant group Hezbollah. Some Israeli forces remain, and today they fired on Lebanese people trying to return to their homes. Fifteen are reported dead and dozens wounded, as NPR's Emily Fang reports. This weekend, the Lebanese army accompanied villagers who were attempting to return to their homes near the border with Israel. That's when they say the villagers were shot at by Israeli forces. The Israeli army said that it fired warning shots at, quote, suspects who were approaching their troops. The Lebanese army said one of its soldiers was also killed by Israeli forces. And it said that Israel is violating the ceasefire agreement by not withdrawing

completely. Israel says it won't withdraw until it's sure Hezbollah has removed all of its fighters from the area. Emily Fang and Pure News. Separately displaced Palestinians are still being blocked from returning to northern Gaza. They were supposed to begin returning this weekend but Israel says Hamas breached the terms of the ceasefire when an Israeli civilian was not included in yesterday's hostages for prisoner swap. Multiple evangelical Christian organizations urging the Trump administration to reconsider some of its immigration-related initiatives, as NPR's Jason DeRose reports.

The group Evangelical Immigration Table describes itself as a coalition of Christian organizations that advocates for immigration reform consistent with biblical values. In a letter sent to the Trump administration, it says two policies in particular are troubling. First is the end of long-standing guidance that prevents immigration officers from entering sensitive locations such as churches. The other is the suspension of the refugee admissions program, which limits the US's ability to offer, according to the letter, protection for people seeking to enter the country in order to practice... Nat. This is NPR.

The rain falling in Southern California this weekend helping firefighters corral those wildfires that destroyed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles. But officials are worried about mudslides and the runoff of toxic ash flood watches are in effect in some burn areas. Italy's Yannick Center has claimed a third Grand Slam title with a win in the Australian Open men's singles final against Germany's Alexander Zverev. Christina Kukulja reports from Melbourne. It was a battle between the world's top two men's tennis players in Melbourne. World number one Janek Sinner took

control of the match early on, maintaining momentum against world number two Alexander Zverev to claim victory in straight sets 6-3-7-6-6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes. Zverev had hoped to win his first Grand Slam at Melbourne Park only to fall short. Sinner takes home over two million dollars in prize money from the first Grand Slam of the year. Accepting the trophy, the Italian addressed the crowd at Melbourne Park. It's an incredible tournament for me, until now and hopefully it keeps going like this. The most special Grand Slam. For NPR News, I'm Christina Kukalia in Melbourne. Today's NFL games will decide which teams will play in the Super Bowl in two weeks.

The Washington commanders are set to play the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC title. The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Buffalo Bills for the AFC championship. The Super Bowl is set for February 9th in New Orleans. I'm Jial Snyder. This is NPR News. It's a new year, and according to Pew, 79% of resolutions are about one thing, health. But there are so many fads around how to keep ourselves healthy. On It's Been a Minute, I'm helping you understand why some of today's biggest wellness trends are, well,

trending. Like, why is there protein in everything? Join me as we uncover what's healthy and what's not on the It's Been a Minute podcast from NPR.