NPR News: 01-18-2025 3PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 18, 2025, 3 PM EST

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the key events shaping the world today. From significant political shifts in the United States to international conflicts, economic challenges, and developments in entertainment and health, here's a detailed rundown of the episode released on January 18, 2025.

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1. Donald Trump’s Second Presidential Inauguration and Immigration Enforcement

Host: Nora Ramm

Donald Trump secured the presidency for a second term, marking a significant political comeback. As celebrations unfold in Washington, Trump is set to take the oath of office on Monday inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, a decision influenced by unusually cold temperatures that also led to the relocation of his victory rally indoors.

Immigration Enforcement Raids: Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar, announced aggressive immigration enforcement strategies. Speaking to Fox News at [00:19], Homan emphasized the administration's uncompromising stance:

Tom Homan: "We're telling ICE you're going to enforce the immigration law without apology. You're going to publish your incarceration, the worst first, public safety threats first. But no one's off the table. If they're in the country illegally, they got a problem."

Starting Tuesday, Homan revealed that the new administration would initiate nationwide immigration raids targeting individuals residing in the country unlawfully. These actions signal a stringent approach to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

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2. Economic Measures Amid Debt Ceiling Concerns

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Dave M. Dudek

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen issued a critical warning regarding the United States' looming debt ceiling. In a late December communication, Yellen indicated that the U.S. would hit its debt limit between January 14th and 23rd. To stave off an immediate crisis, she directed the Treasury Department to implement extraordinary measures, including halting payments to certain accounts such as the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. These measures are set to commence on Tuesday, following Trump's inauguration and Yellen's departure from her role.

In her correspondence to lawmakers, Yellen stressed the uncertainty surrounding the duration of these measures and urged Congress to:

Janet Yellen: "Act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States."

Dave M. Dudek highlighted the precarious situation, emphasizing the need for swift legislative action to prevent the nation from defaulting on its obligations.

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3. International Conflicts: Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas & Ukrainian Missile Attacks

Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

After 15 months of continuous conflict, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to take effect tomorrow. The agreement includes the release of dozens of hostages held by militants in the Gaza Strip and the repatriation of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israel. However, the ceasefire comes amidst recent violence, including the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to over a dozen others.

Missile Attacks in Ukraine

In Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, an early morning missile assault by Russian forces marked the second deadly strike on the city this month. Reporter Joanna Kakisis described the harrowing experience:

Joanna Kakisis: "Hearing the loud buzzing of drones over the city, followed by the sound of Ukraine's air defenses responding."

The attack involved four high-speed Iskander ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv, with one missile creating a massive crater in a central district, igniting cars and buildings, including a local McDonald's. The assault also compromised a water main, leading to significant flooding. In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, another strike resulted in ten injuries, adding to the toll from previous attacks earlier this month that killed three individuals.

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4. Tragic Accident: Ski Lift Collapse in Aragon, Spain

A devastating incident occurred at a ski resort in the Spanish region of Aragon when a ski lift collapsed. Local authorities reported that dozens of people sustained injuries, some of them severe. Approximately 80 individuals were stranded on the chairlift and are currently being rescued. The collapse has prompted immediate responses from rescue teams and raised concerns about the safety standards of recreational facilities in the region.

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5. Renaissance of Superhero Media in 2025

Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Eric Deggans

The year 2025 is poised to be a landmark year for superhero entertainment, with an influx of new movies and television shows featuring beloved characters. NPR's Eric Deggans highlighted Hollywood's strategic moves to revive and reinvigorate major franchises.

Key Developments:

• Marvel Television's "Daredevil: Born Again": Marvel unveiled the first trailer for its new Disney series, promising an action-packed revival of the originally Netflix-featured superhero.

  Unnamed Speaker [03:40]: "I was raised to believe in grace, but I was also raised to believe in retribution."

• Other Major Releases: The slate includes titles like "Captain Brave New World," "The Fantastic Four," "First Steps," and a new iteration of "Superman." These projects aim to restore momentum to franchises that have previously stumbled.

Deggans noted that companies like Marvel and DC are optimistic about drawing audiences back to theaters and television screens, combating the so-called "superhero fatigue" and reigniting enthusiasm for comic book adaptations.

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6. Health Alert: CDC Advises Testing for Bird Flu in Flu Patients

Host: Nora Ramm

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new advisory urging individuals hospitalized with influenza to also undergo testing for bird flu. This recommendation follows the death of a Louisiana man earlier this month, the first confirmed fatality in the United States due to the bird flu. Despite this tragic case, health officials maintain that the bird flu poses a low risk to the general population. Current scientific assessments indicate that the virus has not mutated sufficiently to facilitate widespread human-to-human transmission.

The CDC's proactive stance aims to monitor and contain any potential outbreaks, ensuring public health safety through comprehensive testing and surveillance.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing news stories, ensuring listeners are well-informed about the events shaping our world.

Transcript

[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Donald Trump becomes president for the second time on Monday. His border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News last night the new administration is preparing to carry out immigration enforcement raids around the country starting on Tuesday.

[Tom Homan]

Well, we're telling ICE you're going to enforce the immigration law without apology. You're going to publish your incarceration, the worst first, public safety threats first. But no one's off the table. If they're in the country illegally, they got a problem.

[Nora Ramm]

Trump returns to Washington this weekend for celebrations in advance of his second inauguration. A planned victory rally tomorrow has been moved indoors because of cold temperatures for the same reason Trump will take the oath of office Monday inside the U.S. capitol Rotunda instead of outside on the steps. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says her agency will implement what are known as extraordinary measures to prevent the nation from reaching its debt ceiling. NPR's Dave Misdic reports.

[Janet Yellen]

In a late December letter, Yellen told members of Congress that the U.S. would reach its current debt ceiling somewhere between January 14th and January 23rd. Now she's directing the Treasury Department to stop paying into certain accounts, including the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund. These special accounting maneuvers will begin Tuesday after after President elect Donald Trump has sworn into office and Yellen has left her post. In a letter to lawmakers, Yellen said how long these measures remain in place remains uncertain. She also urged Congress to, quote, act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States. Dave Misdic, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is scheduled to go into effect tomorrow. After 15 months of war, the agreement calls for the release of dozens of hostages held by militants in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinians being detained in Israel. At least three people were killed, at least a dozen more injured. In Ukraine's capital, Kyiv today after an early morning missile attack by Russian forces. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports. Hearing the loud buzzing of drones over the city, followed by the sound of Ukraine's air defenses responding.

[Joanna Kakisis]

It was the second deadly strike on Kyiv this month. Along with the Russia launched four high speed Iskander ballistic missiles at the capital to hit Kyiv before authorities could sound the air raid siren. One missile pounded a huge crater into a central district, setting ablaze cars and buildings, including the local McDonald's, a popular hangout. The attacks also damaged a water main, causing flooding. Meanwhile, in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, another Russian strike injured 10 people. A previous strike this month on the city killed three, 2013. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Nora Ramm]

This is NPR News. A ski lift collapsed at a resort in the Spanish region of Aragon today. Local officials say dozens of people were injured, some seriously. About 80 people were trapped on the chairlift and are being rescued. With new movies and TV shows featuring Captain America, Daredevil, the Fantastic Four and Superman, 2025 may be the year of the superhero. NPR's Eric Duggans reports. It's also Hollywood trying to create big traditional events.

[Eric Deggans]

Marvel Television's first trailer for its new Disney series, Daredevil Born Again, promises an action packed revival of the superhero series originally featured on Netflix.

[Unnamed Speaker]

I was raised to believe in grace, but I was also raised to believe in retribution.

[Eric Deggans]

Forget about superhero fatigue. Daredevil Born Again joined several high profile films and TV series coming in 2025 featuring characters from comic books, including Captain Brave New World, the Fantastic Four, First Steps and a new version of Superman. Companies like Marvel and DC are working to restore franchises that have stumbled. And there's a hope in Hollywood for a return to audiences flocking to theaters and TV screens for big releases. Eric Deggans, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging people hospitalized with the flu also be tested for the bird flu. A Louisiana man died of the bird flu earlier this month, the first known death in the U.S. scientists say the bird flu remains a low risk for most people in the US because so far it has not mutated to the point of human to human transmission. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.