NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-27-2025 11AM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

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Matt Wilson spent years doing rounds at children's hospitals in New York City. I had a clip-on tie. I wore Heelys, size 11. Matt was a medical clown. The whole of a medical clown is to reintroduce the sense of play and joy and hope and light into a space that doesn't normally inhabit. Ideas about navigating uncertainty. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is sending 400 additional Texas troops to the southern border. Abbott says the Texas Tactical Border Force will coordinate with U.S. Border Patrol. The president of Columbia has agreed to accept

Colombian migrants deported from the U.S. after a series of threats from President Trump. Those threats included steep tariffs, as John Otis reports from Bogota. The Trump administration tried to send two military aircraft back to Colombia, but Colombian President Gustavo Petro revoked their landing rights, claiming the migrants were being mistreated. In response, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on all Colombian imports and other sanctions. Petro then announced reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports and said in a message to Trump, quote, your blockade doesn't scare me.

But apparently Petro had second thoughts. Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo ended the impasse by saying his country would, in fact, continue to receive deportation flights. For NPR News, I'm John Otis in Bogota, Colombia. 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 steak. Negotiators say under the deal, Oracle would have oversight of the app's data, algorithm and software updates. Bobbi Allen, NPR News.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are returning home for the first time in more than a year. This is a major moment for those displaced in the war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military has unblocked the roads leading north in Gaza as part of the ceasefire. And PR's Aya Batraoui reports on what's next. People in Gaza have been living without electricity or adequate shelter for over a year now, displaced in other parts. So they're ready to set up tents atop the rubble of their homes. And they will be heavily relying on UN aid for basics like food and water.

More hostages, detainees, and prisoners are expected to be freed in the coming days. From NPR News, from Washington, this is NPR News. China's Lunar New Year travel rush is in full swing. Billions of trips are expected in the coming days as the world's largest annual migration hits its peak. NPR's Owen Cao tells us more. The Lunar New Year holiday begins Wednesday, marking the start of the year of the snake. Nearest Eve on Tuesday is a time for family gatherings. The travel rush started on January 14th. Over 40 days, people are expected to take around 9 billion trips, mostly by car.

The festival is traditionally a time for families to reunite. Many of China's migrant workers use all their vacation days for this annual trip, often their only chance to see parents and children. Alwin Cao, NPR News, Beijing. The Super Bowl matchup is set. The Kansas City Chiefs will play for a three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the AFC Championship game last night, the Chiefs beat Buffalo 32-29. The Eagles beat the Commanders in the NFC.

It was not a close game. Philly won 55-23. Super Bowl 59 will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans, February 9th. A Chiefs Super Bowl win would be the first time any team recorded three consecutive Super Bowl wins. The tax filing season opens today. The IRS has expanded its direct file free tax filing system.

The agency says the pilot program went well and so now it opens up to taxpayers in 25 states. I'm Kristin Wright and this is NPR News in Washington. Support for NPR. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Fresh air? Up first. NPR News in Washington.