NPR News: 01-20-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: January 20, 2025, 2AM EST

Released on January 20, 2025

---

International Affairs

Israel and Gaza Hostage Exchange

In a significant development amidst ongoing tensions, Israel has released approximately 90 Palestinians as part of a new Gaza ceasefire. This move follows the earlier release on Sunday by Hamas of three Israeli women who had been held hostage since the October 7, 2023, attack. These women, aged between 24 and 31, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City, an area severely impacted by sustained Israeli bombardment (00:17). Aya Batrawi of NPR elaborated:

"Now they were actually handed over to the ICRC in Gaza City. This is an area cut off from southern Gaza and it faced some of the most sustained Israeli bombardment in the war." (00:32)

Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

With the ceasefire now in place, over 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid are currently en route to Gaza. Officials report that the enclave has suffered extensive destruction due to prolonged conflict, highlighting the urgent need for aid delivery (00:58).

United States Politics

President Biden’s Historic Pardons

As his presidency draws to a close, President Joe Biden has exercised his clemency powers to pardon or commute the sentences of seven individuals, adding to what is now the most extensive list of pardons in U.S. history. Mara Liasson of NPR reported that among those pardoned are:

• Marcus Garvey: The early 20th-century civil rights leader, pardoned posthumously.
• Don Scott: The first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
• Two individuals whose sentences were commuted after serving decades, whom Biden stated "would not have received under current law."

President Biden emphasized the importance of second chances in his statement:

"America is a country built on the promises of second chances." (01:19)

This action underscores Biden's commitment to criminal justice reform and his administration's focus on addressing non-violent offenses.

Donald Trump’s Executive Actions

In a contrasting move, President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to issue an executive order aimed at pausing the federal ban on TikTok. According to NPR's Luke Garrett, this comes despite existing federal laws mandating the separation or banning of the Chinese-owned app due to national security concerns. Trump asserted:

"TikTok is a fantastic app. It's something that 170 million Americans enjoy and we're confident that we can save TikTok. But also protect Americans' data and protect them from influence." (02:11)

However, this stance faces opposition within his party. Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has defended the TikTok ban, citing ongoing national security risks (02:36).

Additionally, Trump has declared his intention to release classified documents related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Despite making similar promises during his first term, he did not follow through due to concerns from the intelligence community. The implications of this announcement remain to be seen (02:52).

Natural Disasters

Wildfires in Southern California

The Palisades Fire near Los Angeles is now over 50% contained, but firefighting efforts continue as strong Santa Ana winds are forecasted to return on Monday. Elise Hu of NPR detailed the situation:

"Another round of extreme Santa Ana winds are expected to blow in Southern California, where two of its largest wildfires, Palisades and Eaton, continue to burn." (03:29)

The National Weather Service has issued a rare red flag warning, anticipating wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour. The combination of these winds and the critically dry conditions—stemming from a lack of rain since April—creates a dangerous environment for fire spread:

"...the critically dry fuel... gives the recipe for critical fire conditions." (03:54)

Meteorologist Rich Thompson highlighted the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the continued threat posed by the impending weather patterns.

Humanitarian Concerns

The Case of Austin Tice

The mother of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria since 2012, remains hopeful for his release following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Deborah Tice, Austin's mother, is actively seeking meetings with Syria's new leaders to obtain information and secure her son's freedom. Austin Tice is currently 43 years old, and his prolonged captivity has drawn international attention and concern (04:03).

Sports Highlights

• Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens: In a thrilling game that remained undecided until the final two minutes, the Buffalo Bills triumphed over the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 27-25. Josh Allen shined with two rushing touchdowns, while Baltimore's Mark Andrews made a crucial drop during a two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game with 1:33 left on the clock. Additionally, Jalen Hurts contributed significantly with a 44-yard scoring run.

• Philadelphia Eagles vs. LA Rams: The Philadelphia Eagles secured a victory against the LA Rams with a score of 28-22, paving their way to the NFC Championship slated for next Sunday. The Rams struggled with turnovers, ultimately succumbing to the Eagles' strategic gameplay (04:03).

---

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and updates featured in the NPR News Now episode released on January 20, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Intuit. TurboTax now taxes is matching with an expert backed by tech to get you the most money [e-mail] experts only available with TurboTax Live. See guarantee [e-mail] guarantees.

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Israel has returned to Gaza some 90 Palestinians they were holding as part of the Gaza ceasefire that's now underway. Earlier Sunday, Hamas released three hostages they've held since the beginning of the war more than a year ago ago after.

[Aya Batrawi]

Three Israeli women who were kidnapped from Israel in the Hamas led attack of October 7th in 2023 were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross. Now these are women who range in age from 24 to 31 years old. One of them is also a British dual Israeli national. Now they were actually handed over to the ICRC in Gaza City. This is an area cut off from southern Gaza and it faced some of the most sustained Israeli bombardment in the war.

[Dale Willman]

That's NPR's Aya Batrawi. Humanitarian aid is now flowing into Gaza. Officials say more than 600 truck delivering aid or on the move at this hour. Much of the enclave was destroyed by the fighting. President Joe Biden is using his clemency power to pardon or commute the sentences of seven more people. The move adds to what is already historic roster. NPR's Mara Liasson has more.

[Mara Liasson]

With just hours left in his presidency, President Biden issued pardons for five people, most of them convicted of non violent drug offenses. But one of them given posthumously was for Marcus Garvey, the early 20th century Civil rights leader. Another is Don Scott, who was the first black speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. President Biden also commuted the sentences of two people serving decades, long sentences Biden said they would not have received under current law. In a statement, the president said America is a country built on the promises of second chances. Biden has made more pardons and commutations than any other president in U.S. history. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

President elect Donald Trump says he'll sign an executive order to pause the ban on TikTok. A federal law requires the sale or ban of the video app. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

TikTok went dark and then came back online this weekend following Trump's promise to sign an executive order Monday that would pause the ban. Trump's incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz.

[Advertiser]

Tells CNN it is a fantastic app. It's something that 170 million Americans enjoy and we're confident that we can save TikTok. But also protect Americans data and protect them from influence.

[Luke Garrett]

Federal law requires that TikTok be split from its Chinese based owner, ByteDance, or be banned because of national security concerns. Despite Trump's support for the app, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas defended the TikTok ban on Sunday. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Donald Trump says he will release classified documents related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King. He made a similar claim during his first term in office, but he never followed through on it after bowing to concerns by the intelligence community. You're listening to NPR News. The Palisades fire near Los Angeles is Now more than 50% contained. But as Elise Hu reports, crews are continuing their efforts ahead of the expected return of strong winds on Monday.

[Elise Hu]

Another round of extreme Santa Ana winds are expected to blow in Southern California, where two of its largest wildfires, Palisades and Eaton, continue to burn. The National Weather Service has issued another rare red flag warning and says there's a potential for wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour in LA. Meteorologist Rich Thompson from the National Weather.

[Dale Willman]

Service, combined with the critically dry fuel.

[Advertiser]

Out there since we haven't had any.

[Dale Willman]

Rain since last April here, that gives.

[Mara Liasson]

You the recipe for critical fire conditions.

[Elise Hu]

Santa Ana winds are forecasted for the Los Angeles area through Thursday. For NPR News, I'm Elise Hu in Los Angeles.

[Dale Willman]

The mother of American journalist Austin Tice is in Syria. Tice was taken captive during a reporting trip in 2012. His mother hopes the overthrow of President Bashar Al Assad last month will lead to her son's release. Deborah Tice is hoping to meet with the country's new leaders to push for more information about her son. Austin tice is now 43 years old. In a game that wasn't decided until the last two minutes, the Buffalo Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens Sunday night, 2725. Josh Allen ran for two touchdowns while Baltimore's Mark Andrews dropped a pass in a two point conversion that would have tied the game with a minute 33 left on the clock. Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, had a 44 yard scoring run. And as the Philadelphia Eagles beat the turnover happy LA Rams 28 22. They move into the NFC Championship next Sunday. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com switch.