NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-27-2025 9AM EST

Episode Date: January 27, 2025

NPR News: 01-27-2025 9AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 Kristen Wright. The White House says it's reached an agreement with the Colombian government to send deported migrants to the South American country. President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro traded threats of steep tariffs Sunday after Bogota turned away two U.S. military flights of migrants from Columbia. ICE or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies are continuing raids

to arrest people in the country without legal status. President Trump signaled once again his interest in Canada becoming a U.S. state. NPR's Mara Liason has more. Talking to reporters on Air Force One this weekend, President Trump repeated his threat to somehow make Canada the 51st state. He said he would first pressure Canada by putting 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports starting February 1st.

Tariffs that are prohibited by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement, an agreement negotiated by Trump himself in his first term. Trump went on to claim without evidence that Canada wouldn't survive without what he says, falsely, is a quarter of a trillion dollars in subsidies from the U.S. Mara Liason, NPR News. Several federal agencies are without an inspector general now, including the Departments of Defense, State and Health and Human Services. President Trump fired them Friday.

The independent watchdogs work within agencies to call out waste, fraud, and abuse of power. Glenn Fine served as the Justice Department's inspector general for more than a decade. IGs are supposed to be nonpartisan. They're to be selected according to the IG Act without regard to their political affiliation. And their effectiveness depends on them being non-political and so it is important that they be viewed as not tied to one party or another. Vines spoke to NPR's morning edition. Trump fired the IGs without giving Congress the 30-day notice required by law. In the Mideast

ceasefire displaced Palestinians are returning to northern Gaza for the first time in more than a year. Israeli forces unblocked roads leading north. Thousands of Afghans who worked for or fought alongside Americans and hope to come to the U.S. are now in limbo after President Trump ordered the suspension of the country's refugee program. And Piers de Hadid reports. Resettlement advocates say Afghans who allied with the United States before the

Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 faced the risk of death for their actions. There's about 50,000 Afghans waiting to have their asylum applications processed. Many of them have been waiting in neighboring Pakistan, but they aren't welcome there. The Pakistani government has been deporting hundreds of thousands of Afghans, arguing it cannot shoulder the burden of hosting so many people. Five Afghans who are expecting to fly to the United States with their families told NPR they feel abandoned and betrayed. Tia Hadid, NPR News, Mumbai.

This is NPR News in Washington. Much needed rain is falling across parts of southern California, which is helping firefighters as they make progress in containing wildfires. But it's also raising worries of mudslides and toxic ash. NPR's Chandelis Duster reports. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for 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. The three largest fires in Southern California are nearing full containment at more than 90 percent. Twenty-eight people died as a result of the wildfires, and more than 16,000 homes, businesses, and other structures have been destroyed now. 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 9. A Chiefs Super Bowl win would be the first time any team recorded three consecutive Super Bowl victories.

This is NPR News in Washington.