NPR News: 01-26-2025 6PM EST - NPR News Now

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NPR News Now: January 26, 2025, 6 PM EST Summary

Live from Washington, NPR brings you the latest news highlights from around the world.

U.S.-Colombia Tensions Escalate Over Military Deportations

[00:43] President Donald Trump has initiated retaliatory measures against Colombia, a longstanding U.S. ally, following Colombia's refusal to permit the landing of two U.S. military deportation planes. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that Colombia's decision “has jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States.” He outlined a series of punitive actions, including:

Tariffs: A 25% tariff on Colombian goods, set to increase to 50% the following week.
Travel Restrictions: Imposition of a travel ban and revocation of visas for Colombian government officials.
Financial Sanctions: Additional financial sanctions aimed at further straining economic ties.
Border Inspections: Enhanced inspections of Colombian citizens and cargo at U.S. borders.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump asserted, signaling continued pressure on Colombia. In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced plans to retaliate by imposing tariffs on U.S. goods, emphasizing the escalating trade tensions between the two nations.

President Trump’s Government Overhaul Sparks Legal Challenges

[01:27] Less than a week into his administration, President Trump has made significant moves to reshape the federal government. Notably, he has dismissed the independent inspectors general (IG) from 12 major federal agencies. [01:47] NPR’s Mara Liasson explains that inspectors general are essential for maintaining lawful and efficient government operations by identifying fraud, waste, and abuse.

Trump’s broader agenda includes:

Creating the Department of Government Efficiency: Aiming to “dismantle government bureaucracy.”
Slashing Costs and Regulations: Intended to streamline federal operations.

However, the firing of nonpartisan inspectors general is expected to face legal challenges. Liasson notes, “Congress requires 30 days notice of the intent to fire an IG and specifies that the president must inform lawmakers of the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for the action.” This could lead to significant judicial scrutiny and potential pushback from Congress.

Southern California Faces Flood Risks Amid Rain After Wildfires

[02:28] Southern California welcomes rain following devastating wildfires that have ravaged areas around Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and resulting in at least 28 fatalities. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the scorched regions, raising concerns about potential flooding and mudslides in the affected burn scars. Key points include:

Active Fires: The Border 2 fire has burned over 6,600 acres in San Diego County and is currently 10% contained.
Evacuations: Thousands of residents near the fire zones have been evacuated to ensure safety.
Ongoing Response: Crews continue to combat active fires while monitoring weather conditions to prevent further disasters.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to mitigate additional risks posed by the recent rainfall in the vulnerable, burn-scarred landscapes.

NFL Conference Championships Update

Today's NFL Conference Championship games are drawing significant attention:

NFC Championship: Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Last Score Check: Eagles 48, Commanders 23
AFC Championship: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
Game Status: Ongoing

Fans are eagerly tuning in to watch these pivotal games, with both conferences anticipating thrilling conclusions that will determine the teams advancing to the Super Bowl.

South Korea's Impeached President Indicted on Rebellion Charges

In a historic move, South Korean prosecutors have indicted the impeached President Yoon Sung Yol on charges of rebellion related to his brief imposition of martial law. This marks the first instance of a sitting South Korean president being indicted. [02:28] Key details include:

Potential Sentences: Conviction could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Legal Proceedings: Yoon will remain jailed throughout a trial expected to last around six months, separate from other criminal judicial processes.
Constitutional Implications: The constitutional court is deliberating whether to formally dismiss Yoon from the presidency or reinstate him, a decision that could have significant political ramifications.

This development underscores the intense political and legal struggles within South Korea’s governance framework.

Historic Achievements at the X Games in Aspen

The X Games in Aspen witnessed unprecedented feats in snowboarding and skiing:

[04:08] Two athletes successfully landed the 23.40 trick for the first time in history:

Hiroto Ogiwara: A 19-year-old Japanese snowboarder who executed the maneuver on Friday. Post-achievement, Ogiwara expressed immense satisfaction, stating, “I had never been that happy and that felt like it took every ounce of energy I had.”
Miro Tabanelli: A 20-year-old Italian skier who accomplished the trick during a ski competition the following day.

Both athletes secured gold in their respective events, marking a significant milestone in extreme sports and inspiring future competitors to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Financial Markets: U.S. Futures Decline Ahead of Key Earnings Week

U.S. futures contracts are trending lower in anticipation of a crucial earnings week. Market participants are closely watching corporate performances that could influence economic forecasts and investor sentiment in the coming days. Analysts remain cautious as businesses prepare to report their financial results, which will provide deeper insights into the health of various sectors within the economy.

For comprehensive coverage and more updates, stay tuned to NPR News Now.

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[00:01]
Jeanine Herbst
Support for NPR and the following message come from Bolen Branch. Change your sleep with Bolen Branch's airy blankets, cloud like duvets and breathable sheets. Feel the difference with 15% off your first order@bolanbranch.com with code. NPR exclusions apply. See site for details. Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is taking retaliatory action against Colombia, a US Ally, after the country refused to allow two military deportations planes from the US to land. And now Colombia's president Gustavo Petro says he will respond in kind with tariffs on U.S. goods. NPR's Elena Moore reports.
[00:44]
Elena Moore
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the Colombian leader's decision has, quote, jeopardized the national security and public safety of the United States. He laid out a handful of measures, including a 25% tariff on Colombian goods that would rise to 50% the following week. The move, Trump says, would also enact a travel ban and revoke visas for Colombian government officials, as well as impose additional financial sanctions and ramp up inspections of Colombian citizens and cargo at the border. These measures, Trump says, are just the beginning. The Colombian government has put out another statement saying they would provide a presidential plane for migrants. Elena Moore, NPR News, Washington.
[01:28]
Jeanine Herbst
And President Trump took office less than a week ago and his slew of executive actions, pardons and threats of tariffs and sanctions are making waves. Late Friday night, he fired the independent inspectors general at 12 major federal agencies. NPR's Mara Lyson reports on his latest attempt to remake the federal government.
[01:47]
Mara Liasson
Inspectors general play a critical role in assuring the lawful and efficient operations of government. They're responsible for identifying fraud, waste and abuse in government agencies. But Trump has promised to reshape the federal government, not just slashing costs and regulations, but also by establishing the Department of Government Efficiency to, quote, dismantle government bureaucracy. Firing the nonpartisan inspectors general will be challenged in court. Congress requires 30 days notice of the intent to fire an IG and specifies that the president must inform lawmakers of the, quote, substantive rationale, including detailed and case specific reasons for the action. Mara Liasson, NPR News.
[02:29]
Jeanine Herbst
Rain has arrived in Southern California, welcome after the devastating wildfires in and around Los Angeles destroyed thousands of homes and left at least 28 people dead. But there are concerns about flooding and mudslides in the burn scarred landscape. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the burned areas. This has crews still work on fires, including the Border 2 fire that's burned more than 6,600 acres of wilderness in San Diego County. Thousands near the fire have been evacuated. Cal fire says it's 10% contained. The NFL Conference championships games are on today. Right now, the Washington Commanders are playing the Philadelphia Eagles. The score at last check, 48:23. Eagles. Tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs play the Buffalo Bills in the afc. This is NPR News. In South Korea, prosecutors today indicted impeached President Yoon Sung Yol on rebellion. This in connection with his short lived imposition of martial law. It's a criminal charge that could lead to the death penalty or life in prison if convicted. Yoon is the country's first president to be indicted while in office. He will remain jailed through the trial, which is expected to last around six months and separate from criminal judicial proceedings. The constitutional court is now deliberating whether to formally dismiss him as president or reinstate him. Two athletes competing at the X Games in Aspen this weekend Both landed at 23:40 for the first time in history. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, the record setting tricks happen during snowboarding and skiing events.
[04:09]
Joe Hernandez
To complete a 23:40, athletes have to rotate six and a half times in midair and then land, which is exactly what happened at the X Games twice. First, it was 19 year old Japanese snowboarder Hiroto Ogiwara who landed the trick on Friday. He said afterward that he had never been that happy and that it felt like it took every ounce of energy he had. Then one day later, 20 year old Italian skier Miro Tabanelli became the first person to pull off the move during a ski competition. Both Ogiw and Tabanelli won gold in their respective events. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.
[04:46]
Jeanine Herbst
U.S. futures contracts are lower at this hour, ahead of a key earnings week coming up. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. This message comes from NPR sponsor Allianz Travel Insurance Hotel booked Check Tickets, Check Passport? Check what about travel insurance? Learn how to protect your trip at allianstravelinsurance. Com.