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

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

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What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries for 2025? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year. Listen now to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. Qatar says a deal has been reached to release Arable Yehud, a civilian who was at the center of a standoff between Israel and Hamas when she wasn't released with four female soldiers yesterday and allowed Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. That's according to the Associated Press. Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire deal, but now the office of Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media site X, Hamas has agreed to release Yehud and five other hostages and that Palestinians will now be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Thousands were blocked for two days from getting into the north. President Trump says he wants Jordan and Egypt to take in Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

His comments on board Air Force One this weekend raised concerns about Palestinian displacement. And Piers Zia Batraoui has more. Trump called the Gaza Strip a real mess and a demolition site, adding that resettling people outside Gaza could be temporary or long-term. In response to Trump's comments, senior Hamas figure Bessam Naim said Palestinians endured war with Israel in order to stay on their land and will not accept any proposals even, he said, if seemingly well-int intentioned under the guise of reconstruction.

He called for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted so residents can rebuild. Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and against Hamas destroyed most buildings and homes, with entire families still buried under the rubble. Eya Botrowi, Ampere News. Federal law enforcement agencies began ramped-up immigration enforcement in Chicago today as top Trump administration officials, including Border Cahar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney General Emile Boevi visited the city. In a post on ex-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, says agents from DHS,

FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are there. This is part of President Trump's long-promised mass deportations. And Florida state legislature meets tomorrow in a special session called by Governor Ron DeSantis to take up measures aimed at curbing illegal immigration. And here's Greg Allen reports Republican leaders are pushing back, calling the session premature. President Trump has expressed support for Florida's special session on a series of

enforcement measures, including one that would require local officials to help carry out deportations or face suspension. Governor DeSantis wants to make it a state crime to enter the U.S. illegally, and to require people to show proof of immigration status before sending money abroad. Republican leaders in Florida's legislature have indicated they may take no action this week. But DeSantis says he'll keep the pressure on. You can view me as like a dog that's got you on the ankle on immigration. I am not just going to let go. Lawmakers say they will deal with immigration and other issues in their regular session

in March. Greg Allen, NPR News, Miami. Asian markets are trading in mixed territory at this hour. The Nikkei in Japan down about a half percent. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong up about a tenth of a percent. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Two athletes competing at the X Games in Aspen this weekend both landed a 2340 for the first time in history. As NPR's Jo Hernandez reports, the record-setting tricks

happened during snowboarding and skiing events. To complete a 2340, athletes have to rotate six and a half times in midair and then land, which is exactly what happened at the X Games, twice. First, it was 19-year-old Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara who landed the trick on Friday. He said afterward that he had never been that happy and that it felt like it took every ounce of energy he had. Then, one day later, 20-year-old Italian skier Miro Tabinelli became the first person to pull off the move during a ski competition. Both Ogiwara and Tabinelli won gold in their respective events. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

On a quiet weekend at the box office, Flight Risk debuted in the top spot with a modest $12 million in ticket sales. The Lionsgate thriller, directed by Mel Gibson, stars Mark Wahlberg as a pilot flying as an air marshal and a fugitive across Alaska. In second place, Walt Disney's Mufasa, The Lion King, in its sixth weekend with $8.7 million. That film has made $626 million globally so far. In third place, the comedy One of Them Days with $8 million in its second weekend that's rounding out the top five. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with $5 million, and Moana 2 with $4 million.

I'm Janene Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. This message comes from NYU Langone. The NYU Langone Health app gives you access to your electronic health record. Keep track of your visits, lab results, and images all in one place. Better health starts with a better health system.