NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-27-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

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On NPR's Wild Card podcast, comedian Michelle Butoh says she's glad she ignored the people who told her to lose weight. I'm just going to show you what it looks like to love my body, my double chin, my extra rolls, okay? My buckets of thighs. Sauce on the side, you can't afford it. I'm Rachel Martin. Michelle Butoh is on the Wild Card podcast, the show where cards control the conversation.

Lye from NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump campaigned on the promise of strict enforcement of immigration laws. Now his administration is touting the latest arrest numbers of those suspected of being in the United States without authorization. Here's NPR's Ximena Bustillo. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency said they arrested almost 1,000 people yesterday, an escalation from the daily numbers last week. Enforcement operations were seen in cities like Chicago, where members of the Trump administration

were on the ground themselves. Border czar Tom Homan and acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovi traveled to Chicago to oversee the efforts. On average, the Biden administration arrested over 200 people per day last year, though exact levels increased and decreased over time. Trump officials tapped in other federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, U.S. Marshals,

and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to assist in the arrests. Jimena Bustillo and NPR News, New York. The Israeli military has unblocked roads leading north in Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return for the first time since the beginning of the war. The return is part of the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. NPR's Kat Lonsdorf with more. Just after sunrise, thousands of people started north on foot,

overjoyed to go home. And Piers' producer in Gaza, Anas Baba, walked with them. But along with the celebration was also the sobering reality. It's very devastating for any person to see the amount of destruction is truly above any expectations. Destruction so great, he says many couldn't figure out where exactly they were. Israel delayed passage to the north by a day after it said Hamas was supposed to release one

of the only female civilian hostages left last weekend. Her release, along with two others, is now expected later this week. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv. China is showing off a new artificial intelligence product. NPR's Scott Horsley reports that's rattling tech investors in the United States. Chinese startup DeepSeek says its new AI chatbot rivals the performance of U.S. competitors at a lower cost. The threat of cheap competition from China is worrying investors who've poured billions of dollars into AI software and hardware.

Excitement about the prospects of artificial intelligence have pushed some tech companies to sky-high stock valuations. Some of those valuations are now getting a second look. Computer chip company Nvidia, for example, which designs highly sought-after AI chips saw its shares tumble. Stock in Microsoft and Google's parent company were also down. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. The NASDAQ Composite Index has lost more than 3 percent, or 686 points. The S&P fell nearly

2 percent. However, the Dow has moved higher. It's up 52 points with gains led by Salesforce and Johnson & Johnson. This is NPR News. Tax filing season is officially underway. The Internal Revenue Service says as of today, it's accepting returns for the 2024 tax year. On its website, the IRS is promoting more tax filing options and fraud alerts to help taxpayers with their returns, which the agency predicts will surpass $140 million this season. But the agency is recommending people go with a trusted tax probe to avoid possible scams. People have until April 15th to file their tax returns.

An exhibit featuring a recreation of the annex in Amsterdam where Anne Frank hid and wrote her famous diary opens in New York City today. Jessica Gould of Member Station WNYC reports the opening marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jessica Gould of Member Station WNYC reports the opening marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Anne Frank, the exhibition at the Center for Jewish History, will guide visitors into the hidden, cramped quarters

where she, her family, and four others lived for two years before being discovered and sent to death camps. There are 100 artifacts from the occupants' lives, some on display for the first time, and a recreation of the desk where Anne wrote her diary, including the words, In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart. The exhibit is a partnership with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and will be in New York City through April with plans to travel to cities across the country after. For NPR News, I'm Jessica Gould in New York. This is NPR. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Fresh air? Up first. NPR News Now, Planet Money, Jessica Gould in New York.